It’s about relationship

Lately, the Lords been taking me back to the simplicity of relationship. That at the core, it’s about having intimacy with him and with others, to be reconciled. I’ve been given the ministry of reconciliation! It’s easy for me to miss that, it’s easy for me to get caught up in works, to get so focused like Martha in doing many things that I forget that few things are needed, in fact only one. All else flows from my one thing, Christ Jesus.
In evangelism for example, which I have grown so much in a have been walking in such boldness, it’s easy for me to strive to make a convert. To preach the gospel, to pray for them, and to move on. I’ve missed hearing their story, I’ve missed seeing Jesus in that moment. I’m called to make disciples, a much harder mission that takes more intentionality. Oh but how beautiful, how perfect of a designed to pursue relationship and teach people about relationship with Jesus rather than preach an out of context story at them. It’s so personal. The Father is so personal. I’m just his messenger, to tell people of his great love, and show his great love to them.
A couple weeks ago, I met Luca, an Italian traveler. With the two other girls we spent two days trying to convince him that there’s an intelligent designer who gives purpose by listing sheer facts or proof. What I thought was boldness turned into my flesh wanting to be right. I lost sight of Jesus and his great love for Luca in the process. This method does not make disciples and does not communicate love. I’ve still prayed for Luca, but the Lords grace has convicted me that there’s another way to tell people about Jesus, a way of listening and meeting people where they’re at.
At the Academy of Future Leaders where I’ve been teaching English, I’ve gotten to have many conversations with Fernanda, a sweet girl my age. I’m very gotten to listen about her life, hear the highs and lows, the struggles, the victories, and hear how she sees God in it all. She loves her sisters, she works so hard in all she does, and she’s so so strong! Her story is beautiful, and reminds me of my own in some ways. Relating to her personally has given me opportunity to speak to her what God says about her, to encourage her, and remind her of the father’s love. The Gospel is love. It’s a beautiful simplicity to share stories with someone, and share where God has been in it all.
Evangelism cannot happen without first having intimacy with the Father.

This brings me to the body of Christ, of which he is the head, the Lord’s design for community of believers on earth. Designed to have one focus, one center, Jesus. Designed to encourage and call higher. The body is about relationship, the simplicity of pursuing reconciled relationship with God and others. Everyone is seen in the body, everyone is lifted up, and made one is Christ. There is no hierarchy. Therefore, everyone has a role!! It’s actually everyone’s right and responsibility to step into that role because each role so important to the body. The body is designed to speak life into each other, to prophecy over each other, to encourage one another. To build up, not tear down. To live in peace, to share everything in common, and break bread together and to pray. To talk about Jesus and share testimonies, giving glory to God in submitting to Jesus as the head.
I’m stepping into my role in the body. I’m learning my words matter, they have power. If I have a word of encouragement for someone, who am I to not share it! I get to be obedient, to open my mouth and speak, and watch the Lord move.

It’s said that the Gospel is simple enough for a child to understand and yet so complex that you could spend your whole life contemplating it and still never fully understand. I’m seeing this to be true. Relationship is simple. Spending time in stillness with the Father. Yet there’s infinitely more to find. So I’m learning to slow down, each day to remember who God is and who I am, and what Jesus has done for me.