I got home from Lake Geneva on Sunday and I’m still not totally back to normal. In a good way.
I spent the weekend at Covenant Harbor with a group of women, and the theme was God’s calling in our lives and the people He puts around us to help us hear it and say yes. I went in tired. I came out full.
The music got me the most. We sang in English, Spanish, and Swahili, and there’s something about singing the same truth in three languages that makes it feel bigger than your own little corner of the world. The one that stuck was “They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love.” I’ve had it looping in my head since Saturday. When we sang the song, we linked arms or held hands all around the room and the song reinforced my belief that as a Christian I am called to love others and to show people the love and care of Jesus. I am not here to judge or point fingers, but rather link up arms and serve the needy and feed the poor. Even if you have sinned or fallen, no one falls short of the Glory of God.
Two things came out of the weekend for me.
First, I feel called to serve. Honestly, I have felt this calling since April and have tried to answer it through serving at dinner church and the kids program at my church. I am feeling like I am on the right track, and will continue to answer the call when I hear God speaking to me in regards to being a servant for Him. I don’t have the whole map yet, but I know the direction.
Second, I need to be surrounded by Christians who love and support me without conditions. This past year I had to let some people go, people who never loved or supported me the way I deserve. That wasn’t easy, and I’m not going to pretend it was. But sitting in that room with women who showed up for each other with zero agenda, I knew I’d made room for the right thing.
If you’re in a season of pruning, hang in there. What’s on the other side might be a room full of people singing in Swahili and reminding you who you are.
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. – John 13:35
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