This morning we had a precious time of testimony during the church service where people could share what they are thankful the Lord has been doing in their lives. I was truly blessed to hear how many of those comments centered around the work that He has done through the people of Northbrook. I have never been part of a church family that so faithfully, lovingly and genuinely lives out their faith in the context of relationship and community. Nothing could be a better witness than when His people live out His Word in a real way, and we get to watch that happening every day.
What saddens me is the people who are introduced to a community like that and leave because of what it requires. True community requires honesty, vulnerability, a laying aside of yourself, a willingness to be held accountable to Biblical standards (even when it's hard), as well as a heart that is open to being confronted with our sin and the changes necessary to be freed from that. We think there is freedom in the ability to choose to do whatever we want, but choosing to do things that contradict what we know is right leaves us in bondage to guilt, shame, anger, broken relationships and other painful consequences of sin. True community hurts for those who are in bondage and helps free them to be who Christ desires and enables us to be. My prayer is that those who claim the name of Christ will be willing to put themselves in community with other believers and reap the benefits that come from struggling through our messes together. Nothing may be harder than true community, but nothing is more worth it, either.
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I had a discussion with a friend not too long ago about love.
What prompted the discussion was something Oprah said in her magazine "O", in a special insert entitled "What I Know For Sure". She stated in her list that "love doesn't hurt. It feels really good".
Wow!? What is it like to live in Oprahland?!?
My friend and I both agreed that love DOES hurt sometimes!
Sometimes love hurts because we love that which does not love us.
Sometimes love hurts because someone that loves us confronts us with a hard truth that we need to deal with.
Sometimes love hurts because we need to be the one confronting someone we love about a hard truth.
Jesus died on a cross because of love for us and IT HURT HIM!
I do think some shy away from a community such as NB because it is hard to allow ourselves to be vulnerable, and to be hurt. Anytime we open up, we subject ourselves to the possibility of being hurt, but we also take the chance that God will use those people around us to love us even when it does hurt.
Sometimes it is through the pain and the struggle that we grow the most.
Someone loved me enough recently to tell me that I have hurt them. They loved me enough to tell me through tears that I have been a royal pain and difficult to be around. It hurt me. It hurt me because I just wanted to die that I could hurt that person, and it hurt because I was confronted with something I wasn't even seeing in myself. But, you know what? That was love.
That was heaping coals on my head.
I was loved so deeply in that moment of hurt it is undeniable.
Love hurts.
In any true community there will be hurt, but, it is covered over by True love.
I agree and feel the same about those who think the "price too high". My community (NB) helped me raise my son, as well as mould me into a better mom. I have grown spiritually more here than in any church I have been in. I have been loved, trusted and respected as well as confronted and urged to change. I wouldn't trade it for anything, accept maybe Albania, BUT I wholeheartedly hope NB is still my family then!
Sue, thank you. You bless me. Ronda, you are so precious to me! Carol, you were there when nobody else was. I am blessed beyond measure...and I was clueless. I am in love again...with my family at NB church! Thank you all for being so patient with me.
Sue, it has been a joy to get to see your heart and witness the things the Lord is doing in your life. Thank you for your consistent encouragement.
Carol, you have become one of my best friends. You will always be my sister, whether you're here or across the pond. And when you're there, you'll just be one more heart tie to the country I love, too.
Katrina, seeing your willingness to allow God to mold you is such a blessing to me. I am grateful that our time in Albania helped us to connect in a way we may not have here.
All three of you are special parts of my family, and I love you!
Ronda,
Carol is one of MY best friends! LOLOL. Just kidding..no, Carol, you are...but well..oh boy...hmmmm...well, there you have it!
Ronda,
I think our Albania experience was so bonding because we did have to exercise tough love towards one another...and it paid off. You are one of my favorite people at NB and a very dear friend (just wish we could find time to get together). Funny, I have had obstacles to overcome with you, Sue, and Carol at times...and each one has drawn me closer to God..and to each of you. I love all three of you so much I can't even find the words to describe it. All I can say is it's God.
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