Blog

Before I started a new year with new goals I wanted to look back at last year. As I asked God for a
‘word’ from Him for 2021, I just kept hearing Him say, “Be the church.” Sometimes I can take my eyes
off of His mission while I’m looking for my own. How many times do I run away from His Will while I’m
trying my hardest to find it? This was a frustrating season. I love to teach and be involved. It’s more
than just liking it; I feel called to this. But when CoVid comes along and the doctor says, ‘don’t go to
church,’ how do you teach? How do you reach? How do you ‘be the church?’

Along with this phrase, I also heard the word diligent. I’m bad about stopping halfway through and
forgetting what I was doing in the first place. How could I diligently be the church in a world that was
quarantined and afraid? The scripture that came to me was Philippians 2:1-4 “Therefore if you have any
encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any common sharing in
the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having
the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…” I have definitely known His encouragement, been
comforted by His love, know the Holy Spirit, felt His tenderness and compassion… and it is an honor to
do anything that would make Father’s joy complete. I was on a mission.

And that mission started with prayer. “Show me, Father. Lead me.” I knew right away that being the
church did not require any great moves or special jobs. Wherever I was and whenever I had the chance I
could share Jesus. I can be His disciple in my home, at the grocery store or anywhere else. I relied on
Jesus to show me the way. I saw people in a different way. I’m naturally friendly but I began to let
myself go beyond that. I would ask myself what can I do in this situation? Does this person just need a
smile and friendly conversation? How long since someone touched them? Can I encourage a young girl?
That man feels invisible. I’ll let him know that he’s not. Can I give a bottle of water? No time like the
present! Soon I wasn’t being the church, I was ‘seeing’ the church! God began a work in my eyes that
led to my heart. His children are everywhere. If He loves them enough to die for them, surely, I must
love them too. Surely, I can offer living water. It’s paid for and free…and its germ free!! The greatest
blessing was mine.

I chose to move and love as part of the body of Christ and it changed the way I see Lubbock, Texas, and
the world. As Paul (God) spoke to the Romans – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of
God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and
proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect
will.” God is always leading me and gently disciplining me to me more than I am. We have a long
way to go, but I love being part of His plan. I think I may have done some of my best teaching last year –
and I never stood in front of anyone.

Wherever you are…be a blessing…be the church.

Romans 12:10-13 “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be
lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,
faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”