I have an odd confession to make for a girl who’s professed to be a Christian since childhood: until recently I didn’t “get Jesus." A few years ago, I remember telling a friend, “I understand and relate to God, who's all around me, and the Holy Spirit, who’s within me. But when people talk about Jesus being their friend and feeling close to Him, I don’t get it.” I knew in my head that Jesus died for my sins, that He's the reason I can approach God the Father, and that because of Him, I have the Holy Spirit as my Helper–but Jesus Himself felt historical, not here.
How grateful I am that, even though I didn’t get Him, Jesus got me. He knew exactly what it would take to capture my heart and draw me into His love–because He first loved me! But this revelation didn’t come without immense struggle.
The last six years have been incredibly difficult. In 2018, I was devastated by my husband's declaration that he no longer wanted to be married. Since then, it's been one trial after another: a surgery that ended any hope of having biological children, false starts at marriage restoration, my husband’s time in rehab, and nearly losing two people I love dearly. But through all of it, I experienced Jesus being in the fire with me, and I've come to know Him intimately. If these trials are what it took for me to truly grasp who He is, how He loves me, and how He is always here, then I can look back with gratitude.
Changing my perspective took a long time, but the primary way He did it was by drawing me out of isolation and into community with His Body here on earth. For years I had been looking for Jesus in spirit form, but that’s not how He reveals Himself after the Cross, this side of Heaven. After His life, death, resurrection, and ascension, Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within believers. And through these Spirit-filled believers, He forms His Body–the Church–to be the embodiment of His love and care for a hurting world.
…and for a hurting “me.”
If you’re hurting, I encourage you to pray for and seek out godly community. If you don’t already have one, find a Gospel-centered church. Join a Bible study or start one. Invite the elderly Christian couple next door over for coffee. Find a Christ-centered support group that relates to your struggles. Connect with the people you already know from church (I promise, they need you as much as you need them). Be vulnerable, share your burdens, and watch how God miraculously multiplies your strength as you help carry theirs. Pray together. Laugh, cry, and worship together. And as you form precious relationships with other believers, you will become all that you were made for: a precious part of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27).
Contributed by: Tessa Maki
Reflection:
-
Can you identify a specific moment or a particular person who has embodied God’s love for you? How does your understanding of God’s presence change when viewed through the lens of your relationships with other believers?
-
What do you find to be the most challenging aspect of being part of a community? Is it vulnerability, trust, or something else?
-
Reflect on the people in your life who support you. Who are the individuals or groups that embody Christ’s love and care for you? How can you deepen those relationships?
- After reflecting on your community, what specific commitment can you make this week to nurture or initiate these relationships? Consider reaching out to someone, joining a group or Bible study, or volunteering your time.
Note: If you’re navigating grief, separation, divorce, or any difficult journey, there are resources available that offer support and community:
- GriefShare: griefshare.org
- Rejoice Marriage Ministries: rejoiceministries.org
- DivorceCare: divorcecare.org
- American Association of Christian Counselors: aacc.net
-
Celebrate Recovery: celebraterecovery.com
Additionally, if you’re unsure where to start or simply need someone to listen, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at contact@outofthedustmusic.com. We’re here for you and want to support you on your journey.