Opened my eyes

The other day a young man told me a story that opened my eyes to something that spoke to my heart.  He shared a story of a professor who took an interest in his work at a time when he lost his way in a confusing world. This professor spoke to him drawing him into self-reflection about who he was becoming and the consequences of his current situation. The professor was helping him to straighten his path so he could see his direction more clearly. This professor wiped away the muck of the world, so this young man would find his way. He gave him a textbook to study so he could gain the knowledge he needed to to be successful in this class.

I recently had the great gift of walking In faith with a group of men. These men were strangers when I met them, complete with feelings awkwardness, fear, lack of trust, inadequacy and the uncertainty that comes with any new relationship. We came broken in our present or past. Shy with complicated lives, we would begin a process of sharing that would impact us  forever. We did have one thing in common, our love for the Lord, Jesus Christ our Savior.

I would have never guessed the effect that the relationship with these men would have on my soul. Through the grace of God, and this group of men, I found the truth, grace and mercy of Jesus. An unforgettable journey of healing, inspiration, and hope, pressed me into an intimate  relationship with Jesus Christ. 

We shared our hearts for countless hours seeking self-understanding for meaning,  reconciliation and forgiveness, on a journey to find our true self. Pressed into each others pain, I listened for a message from God to find purpose.   At times, our stories  became mirror images of each others hurts, habits and hang-ups.  Each life with its own beginning, middle and end with one common theme. The theme of past or present hurt with the desire to see the future. 

Our leaders, the professors of the word of God, were vessels of his spirit, word and love. Our leaders were the same as the young man spoke of about his college professor. Through their guidance and understanding of God’s word they lead us through a process of healing, pushing us closer to Jesus Christ each week. We shared stories in the bible, our textbook of a life in Christ. Through prayer and our closeness to the Lord, I found forgiveness through a understanding of the power of the cross.  

Our little space became the sanctuary, where my heart would be connected with my brothers. United in Christ, I would begin a process of healing that changed the trajectory of my  life forever. Experiencing the living water of Christ is in my soul forever. 

I am grateful for their candor, their love, willingness to unconditionally give of themselves. I have never experienced this depth of spirituality with another human in my life. My heart is full of the experiences we shared leading me to cherish my relationship with God.  I am proud to call these men my brothers. They hold a special place in my soul, for sharing an experience that I will never forget. 

Glory to God. 

John 4, 13:14 – Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Father God I am holding on to you and you alone.

Hope