This summer while I was ministering at His Mansion in New Hampshire, God touched my heart deeply and at times poignantly, as plowing up a section of my heart that has lain dormant. He has planted seeds of truth, ten which I've identified.
I look to God for his bountiful rains and nurturing care to bring forth a harvest of righteousness.
- I have recognized that I need deeper community in my life. As a human being, I am an image-bearer of the triune God; I need to love and be loved, to know and be known.
- I have recognized that I need to become more transparent in my relationships, making room for my community to know me and love me and minister God's grace to me. I have recognized that when my fears tell me to isolate and to hide I need to press in and engage more with my community.
- I have recognized that God has a very good reason for placing each person in my community. I need each person in my community, and each person in my community needs me. As we grow towards loving one another well, we develop in the deeply meaningful ways that God has designed for us, both as individuals and as companions.
- I have recognized that my voice is needed within my community. Developing and using that voice gives place to wisdom over fear.
- I have recognized that I need to process with people. People are like mirrors uniquely situated to reflect a facet of my life that I cannot see without them.
- I have recognized that feelings are valid. And, I have recognized that I need to acknowledge my "uncomfortable" feelings, take them to God, and sit before Him in humility and transparency, listening. What has He brought to the surface? What does He want to communicate to me in this? Is there truth that I'm missing/ignoring/not responding to in faith? Will I listen, wait, watch intently, looking to His hand as a handmaiden looks to her mistress? I have recognized that I also need to afford this same opportunity for others.
- I have recognized that addressing someone about their weakness ought to be for the building up of a relationship. Do I confront in a time, place, and manner that supports this purpose? Do I receive it as I would a gift?
- I have recognized that I need to receive the affirmations my community gives me. Affirmations help me recognize how God is sanctifying me, as well as how He is using me and directing me in His Kingdom purposes.
- I have recognized that I need to make margin in my life for people and for reflection.
- "Live your life by your convictions," the preacher said, "and make sure your convictions are grounded in the Word of God." I have recognized areas of my life in which I need to search out or live out my convictions and so take full responsibility for the life God has given me. Oh, for grace to love Him most.
-- God-honoring horizontal relationships that are "[growing in] trust, openness, humility, service, teachability, and accountability in ways that reflect God's character and his intentions for human relationships. This is what I need and what my heart longs for.
