Loving our Neighbors - Reaching the Nations - A Booger and Self-Awareness
Loving our Neighbors.
There's nothing like a good ol' Love Shelbyville day! Many of us have stories to tell about serving and loving our neighbors from yesterday. The picture above certainly tells a story! Sometimes it's overwhelming to think about all the different ways God advanced his kingdom in our hearts and through our community on these days - and to think he lets us be a part of that! To each of you who showed up and served with gladness (Psalm 100), THANK YOU!
I'm also reminded as I walk with folks who are grieving this week, that our neighbors, like us, are "facing death all day long." (Romans 8:36) Let's mourn with those who mourn. Let's receive and love our neighbors well this week.
Reaching the Nations.
The photo above shows one of the many ornate pieces from around the world that sit on tables as we prepare to host the Neighbors and Nations Conference with Nik & Ruth Ripken this weekend! (Not too late to sign-up!)
In the background is one of our favorite mantras at Christ Community - "Go be the Church!" This picture reminds me this morning that the command to make disciples wasn't just about my family or even my friends - it was to the ends of the earth. And while we certainly have a responsibility to love and serve and reach our neighbors, we can also be part of the global mission in a ton of different ways.
If you're looking for a simple way to get started, check out this free resource from the IMB Loving the Lost through Prayer.
A booger on my shirt and Self-Awareness.
There have been several things in the last week that have reminded me of just how important self-awareness is. Those reminders have varied in place and intensity. Most of them have reminded me to continue growing in my own self-awareness!
The pinnacle came yesterday evening when Katelyn and I were having a conversation on the couch. I had just blown my nose and re-engaged when her face wrinkled and she gagged. As she turned her face away, she got the words out: "There's a booger on your shirt."
All of us would say we want people to tell us about a booger. Or any weakness really. That's a hard thing to do. And even when we say we want it, we don't always.
We have to remember that the more aware of ourselves we are, the more we will be aware of our need for the grace and truth of Jesus. It's hard to take honest looks in the mirror. It often shows us things we don't like. We're facing sins that are ugly. And those sins lead to death.
Christ gives us the victory over death - even the death we face in the mirror!
Our Community Group dovetailed into a converation about journaling and how much it helps them grow spiritually. I have a hypothesis that a big part of that is the aid that journaling can be on self-reflection that leads to self-awareness.
How can you grow in your self-awareness this week?
