As always, because this is part 4 if you don't go back and
read part 1 2 and 3 this won't make any sense so go do that if you haven't. Now
I must tell you there's a twist to the story, but I believe this is where our deepest
lesson must be learned.
When we left our friend last time they had just been invited
into the church and they connected beautifully.
What I can tell you briefly, is that that connection got stronger and
wider. Our friend got involved in a
small group, continue to build relationships and even found a spouse. We could almost say they were living the
dream when it comes to church.
But there was one essential element that was missed or perhaps
was just misplaced in the midst of becoming a part of the church. Church
culture can take on a life of its own especially with Mennonites. We can become
so engrossed in our fellowship with each other that Jesus gets left out.
Our friend became fully integrated into the church. Learning
and living a completely new life, but then the bottom fell out. One day, close
to 20 years later with supper in the crock pot this person's spouse came home
and said they were leaving. They had found someone else and decided to leave
so, the marriage was over.
Needless to say, this caused a crisis on every level. Our friend
found themselves at the lowest place they had ever been physically, mentally
and spiritually. They ended up in the basement ready to end their life. Crying out to God for a sign that He was real
they had written letters of goodbye and were ready to end it all.
But then in a prayerful state, what seemed like a warm blanket
encompassed them. A still, small voice essentially said “ I am real, now all
you have is me and that is all you need.”
It is at that point our friend realized their spouse had become a god
and while their life had filled with good things it had not filled with Jesus.
And so a new chapter began. Our friend began living life one
day at a time following Christ and trusting him for everything. The details of
the story are incredible but I will just say, this is what led our friend to
SMC and why I know their story.
But the lesson learned is this: Church is not enough. We
simply must keep Jesus as the center and focus of our fellowship and faith.
We must constantly be returning to Him in prayer and His word. We must seek the
filling of His holy spirit to fuel our lives both individually and together. Otherwise,
when the bottom falls out, and it always does, we will have nothing to grab a
hold of, but thankfully Jesus will always try to grab us before we fall too far.
I hope this will be a powerful lesson learned.
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