How beautiful it is to see the body of Christ serving and loving each other! Reflecting on this past weekend’s women’s retreat, I’m struck by how God has uniquely gifted each member of His body to serve and care for each other to build up His church. As I sat and listened to stories from ladies of different ages who are in different stages of life, I saw how each one has a special opportunity to serve, encourage, and care for each other. I spent most of my weekend all teary-eyed, which I’m sure, comes as a shock to all who know me. But, I was so thankful to see how God used ladies who were willing to be stretched beyond their comfort zones to inspire, teach, reprove, and encourage each other in the Lord and in His Word.
We are all pilgrims on a journey, and our journey is sometimes difficult. It should not be attempted without the support of other pilgrims. God has given us first the gift of salvation through His Son and then comfort and encouragement through the ministry of His Spirit. But He has also given us the gift of each other . . . His church, His body . . . to build up each other in love and truth. Thank you to all who are willing to use the lives God has given them to encourage and serve one another to build up His church!
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:19-25
Donna, Thank you for your post. The retreat this year was unique in that it had so many women speaking, serving, and leading. I loved every minute of it; even when I looked like “death woman”, because I was so tired. I think a really fascinating component of it was when we had a panel of women up front, each from different stages of life and roles, answering the questions, “What are your struggles? And “How can we encourage you?” I wish we had every women in the room answer those questions. I learned so much. Ignorance about others is a huge barrier when it comes to making friends. I personally find myself being drawn to those I share a lot in common without realizing how differences in people can sharpen me for the Kingdom. This weekend, it dawned on me how to break that barrier down. I simply ask someone, I’m not sure if I have anything in common with, those very questions. If they are a Christian, the common bond is Christ and that’s a strong one. I don’t have to live the life they live, to encourage them, or for them to be an encouragement to me. There were so many different women on this retreat and so much encouragement flowing, it was beautiful! How refreshing and liberating!