It is a beautiful September day. The leaves are preparing to exit as they woo us in their fall transformation. I love fall. I love the vibrant palettes, the cool evenings and the amazing sunsets. Everything seems to seek rest in the peace of the season.
As we experience the beauty of nature’s change, we find ourselves amid the hustle and bustle of human change. School is in session, fall sports have begun and Life Groups are in bloom.
Life Groups, just like small groups bring a collective group of people together to do life. Life Groups, Small Groups, Family Groups, Sunday school- they all ring the same. Gather a group of people together to learn, grow, build their faith, lean on each other, stand in the gap for one another, eat together and point one another to Jesus and you will find a group of people truly better as ONE instead of one.
Every year introduces a new and fresh dynamic. New girls have moved into our ministry, perhaps invited by a friend or from another school. While existing students are maturing and growing deeper in their faith. In this season, I have the privilege of watching life take place. Some of my favorite moments include witnessing young women find freedom in Christ through salvation, following Him in baptism and watching young women mentor and pray over one another.
God is so good.
Leading Life Groups for me WAS an absolute God calling. The truth is that I originally did not want to say yes, I was afraid. I had already survived High School and did not want to go there again. But God has a way of calling us to Him and helping us see through His Heart instead of our own.
My heart has never been the same.
Life is beautiful to watch. When we answer His call, He gives us a front row seat. He allows us the honor of watching life change, hearts become healed, and excitement bloom as His children recognize the joy, contentment and peace in The Father’s Arms.
I’m honored to serve as His Hands and Feet.
This year brings a new twist to our ministry in that we are serving grouped grade levels instead of schools. I have to admit that change is difficult for me. My mind prefers consistency while my heart is recognizing that God throws perfect curve balls.
I am learning to trust God’s curve balls. Just as He stirs my heart through season’s change, He is guiding me through life change and filling my heart in the process.
Our fall series kickoff this term is “Unity.” Isn’t this just the perfect season to teach unity to our young adults? Our nation today seems to be so divided.
But pay attention in this season of dissension and discord. God has a plan. I believe He is reviving His Church and drawing us together as ONE. It is in this season of Life Groups that He encourages me with (3) reminders.
ONE matters to God. There is not one person that God doesn’t want to come to Him. John 3:16 says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is an open invitation to each of us as we have the privilege of inviting and growing together into a cord of ONE.
ONE cord is stronger. God makes a promise to us in all of our relationships as shared in Ecclesiastes 4:12, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” We could do life on our own, but should we? More importantly, why should we? He has placed others in our lives to encourage us. His Plan is to draw us together as ONE with Him at the center.
ONE with Him at the center. In a very personal moment we peer into the Heart of our Savior as He lifts up a prayer for each of us in John 17. “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” In the day of Jesus, people lived and they died. What made the story of Jesus in the Gospel message so special? A loving sacrifice from a perfect Savior meant to draw us all to Him and to one another. And over 2000 years ago, we are still celebrating our entry into His story.
Life is beautiful.
So this year, I challenge my students to grow as ONE in the Body of Christ. To answer the call to love one another, to point one another to Jesus, and to grow in their faith.
And in the beauty of this fall day, with the promise of nature’s change, I am reminded that God is so very faithful. I look forward to the beautiful life change on the horizon.
Father, thank You for Your grace, love and for the opportunity to watch Your Hand move in exciting and amazing ways! Lord, I lift each of our students to You and ask that You open their hearts, grant them wisdom and discernment to seek You and see You. I pray Lord that You will bless each ONE as Your beautiful daughter as she watches You move in her own life and in the lives of those she serves alongside. Lord, we thank You for Your prayer in John 17 that we become ONE in You, we pray that just as You bless us in the change of season that You are faithful to bless us through the change of our own hearts as you bring Your promise to LIFE.
Your amazed daughter.
In Jesus’ Name
AMEN