Hello Letter: Beginning Again, Again

Originally Published February 2002 –

Hello Dear Ones,

Wow. A lot has happened since we published our last issue. I almost don’t know where to start…

Do I tell about the blessing we had at the Writer’s Conference in August (2001) or should I say more about the tragedies that occurred on 9-11? (2001) Is anyone interested in our new ministry for Christian Singles? Thanksgiving? Christmas? War? My son’s first loose tooth? Or the adventures Liz and I have had growing with Christ?

Long before the World Trade Towers collapsed, God was convicting me to get back to the basics of Christianity. To forget all the “lofty” theological debates and get down & dirty in the things that really, really matter. Jesus summed up those things when he said:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)

I know often times I’m quicker to look for a ‘formula’ or ‘thing’ that I can ‘do’ to ‘please’ God. Just love Him? Often times I wonder how. Christ says, “If you love me keep my commandments.” Which ones? Where do I find them? Oh this could get complicated. Or does it?

When we start looking for a check list of Spiritual To-Do, yes, it does get complicated. But when we start listening for the prompting of the Holy Spirit in everyday situations like… I just snapped at my husband, I shouldn’t have done that… I punished the children in anger when I should have remained calm… We need to pray for the strength to react differently and then make an effort to react differently. When that happens, life begins to take a different shape: the shape of a Spirit Filled Life. (Galatians 5)

I’ve always wanted the CWP to be thought provoking in bringing women to a closer walk with God. Part of me feels like we’ve been a miserable failure, the other part feels we’ve been successful (in spite of ourselves!) God has blessed readers in ways that amaze me. He uses all of us in our inadequacies.

This issue marks a Beginning Again of sorts in my life, and the ministry of the CWP. Over the last 4 months God has been working in my life in dramatic ways. I won’t bore you with the details now. You’ll be able to read them over the coming months. I hope some of my revelations will spark some of your own in a quest to understand and know God better. To learn to LOVE Him better.

Our Christian walk is about love. Knowing God’s love for us and sharing God’s love for us. I want the CWP to reflect that in new ways. How? I’m not quite sure, but I know that God is faithful. Paul tells us that “…God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.” in 1 Corinthians 1:26. Love seems so foolish and weak. So does faith, trust and hope. But as Christians, God has called us to these things.

I want to leave you with the thought that Jesus gave to Martha. I’m sure you’ve probably heard it before:

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord [Jesus] answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)

We need to choose the better thing: to sit at the feet of Jesus and let His Love sustain us. Not our To Do lists, our “mandatory” prayer and Bible time, and the other 400 things we want to do in our life. Christ is our answer, our provider and sustainer. It’s a personal relationship, not a professional relationship that we have with Christ! He cares deeply about us.

If we’re not living with a freedom in victorious Christian life, where others see us as different in a positive way, then how victorious are we really? I want to live daily at the feet of Christ being sustained by Him. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” says Galatians 5:1. I want to have that freedom! I don’t want anymore spiritual To Do lists! I only want His peace, joy, goodness, patience and faithfulness. I want Him heal the wounds inflicted on me by the world and give me strength. I want to be able to say daily, “There but for the grace of God go I.” How about you?

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV)

There but for the grace of God go I. Let’s begin again.

With Christ’s Incredible Love,
Janel
editor of The Christian Woman’s Page