Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Somewhere along the way we lost it.
We forgot how to live together.
How to work together
How to fight for one another.
God values community. So much so He himself lives in a trinity. That’s why He created us, so He could do life with us.
We messed up. And He’s been fighting to get us back ever since.
We wander through life, feeling lost, without purpose, without meaning. We feel invisible, unvalued, because who would miss us if we disappeared?
We isolate ourselves. Trying to hide the fact that we AREN’T perfect, and we do have messes, we create for ourselves a little island that no one can reach.
Unfortunately for us, by keeping everyone at arms length, we suddenly look around and see that…we’re alone.
And you know whose fault it is?
It’s not your neighbors. It’s not your friends, your dad or your mom, your boss. It’s not even God’s.
It’s yours. It’s mine.
Stop blaming others for the world of isolation we have created for ourselves.
Here’s what I’ve learned. Satan knows how powerful community is, He knows it’s how we were designed and what we were created for. The surest way to stop us from fully realizing where our worth comes from is by isolating us.
We believe lies about ourselves and about others. We project our own insecurities onto everyone else to take away the responsibility that lies with us.
You know why your friend doesn’t reach out to you? You know why your dad doesn’t call you, or why your sister seems standoffish. It’s because they are hurting too. They believe the same lies that you do.
That they shouldn’t bother reaching out to you because you don’t really care about them. That they aren’t good enough, that if they show themselves, (I mean really show themselves), they will be rejected.
They will be abandoned. They will be judged.
Stop letting the enemy win. The surest way is by doing NOTHING.
Band together. Be real with each other. Admit that life isn’t perfect and you sure as heck aren’t either. Invite others into those places where you feel inadequate and broken. Let them surprise you. Watch them speak truth into your life.
Are we in this together or not?
You say you will show people Jesus by living “differently”. By living like a Christian? So you try to live a pure life and inevitably you mess up, but instead of admitting your mistakes you pretend like everything is fine. Well let me tell you, no one will see Jesus in you when you’re putting on a performance.
Jesus was real. Jesus was vulnerable. He admitted when He was scared, when He wanted help, when He needed Abba.
You want to show people Jesus? Show them the hurt. Show them the pain. THAT’S DIFFERENT.
Because you aren’t different by anything YOU’VE done…but by what God has done FOR YOU.
Our lives are messy, we make mistakes, our families struggle and sometimes we just want to be hugged and told everything is going to be ok.
You want meaningful relationships?
Let yourself be seen. Be known. Take back ownership, and responsibility. Step up and step out! And then, watch what happens.
Make the phone call.
Send the text.
Go to lunch.
Be bold. Courageous. Selfless.
Encourage. Teach. Love.
Meet my community for the next five months. We are encouraging each other, challenging each other, loving each other.
Revival is coming, but we are stronger together. Be real with people, invite them in, fight for them…and watch what happens.
“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” – 1 Corinthians 1:10
Dear Emily,
I am so thrilled to be able to read your posts again. You have so much to share as you travel down the road the God has prepared for you. I can relate to your thoughts in this post. I know there are people that are lonely. God has been placing some people before me, and I do feel the responsibility to reach out to them, but its more than responsibility, its because I care for them and want them to feel welcome in our community and feel a part of it. I want them to know me, and I want to know them. I share what God has done for me, and the promises and hope he gives all of us. God is still teaching, and I am still learning, but I’m learning to relax and let God. I don’t need to try….it will just happen if I am totally dependent on Him. We had a good sermon last week about how people say that at a particular church they are “just not being fed” – well, there is a time when we are no longer babies in Christ, and we need to feed ourselves — feast on His Word daily, study, and pray! God’s blessings on your latest journey!
Amen, amen, and amen!
I know God is using you on your team and in Europe with the same fervor He used you in South America. Keep growing and keep being bold, my love. You become more and more beautiful with every courageous step you make.
Here’s a quote for you. One of my favorites:
“…Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”
-Nelson Mandela used it in his speech, but it’s originally Marianne Williamson’s
Let your light shine. Give other people permission to do the same. Be bold. Make manifest the glory of God.
Love you to the moon and back!
Great post Emily! Praying for you and your team!
Yes! Thanks for sharing this!
These are amazing words, Em! The neat thing about you is that you don’t just talk about the way we are supposed to live, you actually live it…your words are always powerful, but your actions speak way louder than your words ever could, and that’s saying something! You have no idea the impact you are making on a huge number of people all over the world, keep it up!
Love you buddy, and I’m so proud of you!!
Thank you for these encouraging and honest words! Praying for you each day as you love and encourage your new team/community and for each one of you as you continue to grow in your faith. Love you so much!
It is so liberating to accept the weakness in our self and others ,confess our sin and flaws ,and commit to grow together and watch His strength get perfected in us . I think we disarm the enemy in the process of humbling self. You will be such a blessing to your team in modeling this together with them. love and prayers!