Thinking about the church…

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Daniel and I are listening to “Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. So far, it is such an impactful read (or rather listen)! This afternoon, while sipping coffee and sitting next to my husband, the Holy Spirit convicted and encouraged both of us through Bonhoeffer’s inclusion of Zechariah 10:8-9,

“8 I will whistle for them and gather them in, for I have redeemed them, and they shall be as many as they were before. 9 Though I scattered them among the nations, yet in far countries they shall remember Me, and with their children they shall live and return.”

What beautiful verses! Bonhoeffer reminded us that the Lord designed the church to spread its seed and to take the Gospel to all the nations. He reminded us, that it is the Lord’s grace that we have one another in the body of Christ. We have sweet fellowship by the Lord’s grace but we are not always to stay where we can enjoy the fellowship of like-minded believers. The Lord calls us to deny ourselves and take up our crosses and follow Christ (Luke 9:23). Sometimes the Lord calls us to live in isolated areas, among unbelievers, and among enemies. If Christ stayed in His comfort zone, surrounded by friends, none of us would be redeemed. Praise God that He did not! Now, we can say with believers all over the world, that because of Christ dying among enemies, alone and feeling forsaken, we are among the redeemed.

This encouraged us as we are pursuing ministry and preparing to go to Alaska. This encouraged us here at seminary, to make it a point to share the Gospel with unbelievers. It also encouraged us in the sadness of saying goodbye to so many dear friends at Kenwood (our awesome church!)  as the Lord takes them all over the world. He is scattering His seed to the nations. Praise the Lord!

We highly recommend “Life Together” by Dietrich Bonhoeffer!