Part 3 - Discerning His Voice: Building Community

 Reading the bible is essential. So is community. There was a time that I was in the word of God, but I was not able to receive God’s love. I was interpreting scripture through a faulty pair of lenses. These lenses colored my viewpoint of what I read.

That’s why we need followers of Christ to help us grow in the truth we are learning. I found God often uses imperfect people to be His messengers. We are relational beings-whether we want to be sometimes or not. 😊 We are not meant to walk alone. We each have something to give and receive.  As I was growing in my faith, people seemed to be coming out of the woodwork to share this verse with me: There is now therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. -Romans 8:1

 Condemnation is a word we don’t use much these days. So allow me to explain more. I found it helpful to compare this word with the word “conviction”.

 When we experience conviction by God’s Spirit, we realize “I did something wrong.” It encourages us to turn towards God and move forward as God empowers change. Condemnation says, “I am something wrong and am trapped there.” It encourages us to hide from God and others and believe there is no hope in being forgiven or changing. Shame and condemnation say: No one will accept me or love me if I reveal X. I cannot change. It hides. It isolates.

 I have found when we take a risk to share with emotionally safe people, shame loses it’s power because it faces truth.

 Jesus talks about truth and freedom. “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you FREE.” John 8:31-32

 I want to encourage you that there are people who will accept you and say join the club. We can only grow when we face the shame in the presence of love and truth. And learn it can be gone. Removed.

 When shame takes control, it makes our life smaller. It blocks us from the freedom of being who we were fully meant to be. But it doesn’t have to have the final word. We’ve all been part of the shame club at one time or another-but you don’t have to be a lifetime member.

 Jesus says, “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” He wants to draw near you. (John 6:37)

 I realize that can take time and trust, and you don’t have to walk it alone. Here at Renew, we are happy to have you “come as you are” and together look at those boulders and come to God with them. They can become the most beautifully transformed places in your life.