Quote:
Originally Posted by RCTW
God put me into a neighbor local church, and the sisters took good care of me. Praying every morning, a neighbor sister visiting me every night for Bible study and prayer. I was in God's ICU for two years.
I always found it is funny that God reached out to the pastor in a regular church first and then the local church. I guess for you and me, we really need that kind of intensive care during that special period. Praise the Lord.
Best wishes, RC
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Hi RC,
Thank you for the validation. Yes, I was in a sort of spiritual ICU for several years also: prayer meetings, home meetings, Bible studies, HWMR reviews, pray-reading, conferences, trainings, trips with other LC members, picnics and staying at their houses ('hospitality' they called it), living in the so-called Brother's House, college meetings. It was the so-called church life 24/7 for several years for me.
Eventually, I left, because of frustration that I didn't experience the magical inner transformation that I was promised... "Just call 'O Lord' He'll change your life" I was told, but after several years nonstop activity I left just as scared and miserable as before going in. All the calling calling calling didn't change me (aka 'metabolic transformation') on the inside. (interesting... at a recent conference by LC current leader RK he admitted as much - telling a story of 38 years of calling and no metabolic transformation. Thank God it didn't take me 38 years to figure that out).
Eventually I realized the revelation of the gospels for me was Jesus' simple message - what you do to others, God will do to you. If you care for others, God will care for you. Suddenly my emptiness got filled by caring for others. All the shouting was a distraction. Transformation starts from within, caring for others. Jesus called it, "Love your neighbour". Pretty simple when you get it.
But I am truly grateful for my years in the LC. I might have had some distinctly worse path if not for those years. I do bless and thank the LORD. Whether or not I've gotten inwardly transformed and conformed isn't to say. But I surely have been satisfied in caring for others, as compared to when I was in the LC. And the grace of God has met me often as I tried in my own feeble way to help others. My efforts don't really matter- God's provenance in filling my efforts is what really matters.
Romans 3:5 ESV But if our unrighteousness serves to show the righteousness of God, what shall we say?