My Church Family, God’s Family
There was a song that I used to sing in Sunday school, its lyrics went along the lines to something like this, “We are one big happy family God’s Family, she is my sister and he is my brother, our Father in Heaven who loves you and me.” Little did I realize the significance of this song and its lyrics. Yes indeed, in God’s family, through Jesus Christ I can call everyone in my church family, my brother and sister regardless of where I am.
Even as you go through different seasons a single woman such as moving to different houses, suburbs, towns, cities, countries, where ever you go, you can be sure that as you ask God to guide you by His Holy Spirit to be part of a church family, He will surely lead you to a place where you can find rest and assurance of His love. My father once told me, Betty, be sure that whatever church you want be part of ,you are guided by the Holy Spirit and you grow in your walk with Jesus Christ.
After working as a shift worker on almost all Sundays, I remember feeling particularly dry in my spirit as though something was slowly squeezing out the last breath I possibly had in me and at that point I asked God to lead me to a church that I could relearn to love him passionately.
With all the lockdowns and restrictions imposed by the government, I began watching and joining in on online church, however, one day it seemed as though the same message was shared though 3 different online church services worldwide, “join and physically be part of a small local church”.
Take note though that everything happens for a reason, as God’s word says in Ecclesiastes 3:1 ” To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven” (Women’s Study Bible NKJV).
One particular day after picking up my car from the workshop I asked the Pastors of the church that was part of the building if I could attend church service on a Sunday and of-course the answer was please come and join us for fellowship. Despite majority of the church members originating from different nationalities I was embraced in God’s love. Each Sunday I would go back and sit quietly in my selected seat, content on simply attending. And as I slowly opened up to my church family the more they embraced me.
I think one good thing that came out of being stood down from work as a result of what covid19 has done to the world and country, was having the opportunity to stop, reflect and begin to enjoy fellowship with other Christian believers.
Yes today one of the things that I absolutely love about my church family is their ability to firmly stand and proclaim Jesus in a society that does not place much significance in the importance of having a relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour. Even the church signage proclaims boldly “Its All About Jesus” and each person that walks through the doors is warmly embraced and welcomed. It is through this church that I see many beautiful children of God been groomed and growing in their walk with the Lord as they participate in The Purpose Driven Life study by Rick Warren.
So how do you as a single woman protect your church family who embrace you in God’s love? As the church strives to win souls for Jesus and build Christian believers to grow and stand firm in their walk with Him, what are you doing to help? How do you protect your church family as Jephthah’s daughter protected her father? I think it’s by simply being available to help support and encourage through the word of God as the church leaders ask from you. Let God guide you through The Holy Spirit.
Romans 14:19 ” Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Women’s Study Bible NKJV).
Bless and protect your church family.
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