Dear Beloved Community,
Today marks our first Sunday together in spirit, though not in person, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of joy and anticipation. Though we aren’t gathered together in a sanctuary, I know we are already embarking on a journey of living out our faith, wherever we may be.
Although we are few in number, I can sense that I am writing this message to the hundreds and thousands of people who will join us as we continue to do the work of delivering the gospel in a dark world, under the stars, with no worry for shelter. Sound familiar?
I am eluding to the story of Mary, mother of God, a figure of immense faith and courage. As I reflect on our own beginnings, I cannot help but see the parallel in her extraordinary story. Mary, in her youth and simplicity, was chosen for one of the most significant roles in human history. Against the backdrop of tradition and the rigid structures of Jewish law, it was she, a woman, who was entrusted with the blessing of delivering the gospel to the world.
The gospel, as we know, is the Good News. And this Good News is Jesus. It’s astounding to ponder that in a time and culture where women were often seen but not heard, God chose Mary to be the vessel through which Jesus, the savior of humanity, was brought into the world. This choice by God wasn’t just remarkable; it was revolutionary.
In Mary’s story, we see a powerful demonstration of God’s love and His desire to upend human expectations. The God of all space and time, who loves the world so profoundly, chose to bring His son into the world in a manner that defied convention. He didn’t uphold the traditions or the law of the time. Instead, He shattered them, showing us that His ways are beyond our understanding.
This narrative speaks deeply to our situation as a community. Though we are not yet gathered in a traditional Sunday service, we are living out our faith just as significantly. Like Mary, we are saying, “I am willing, Lord. Place your word in me. Come what may!” We embrace the heart of Mary, ready to carry and deliver the message of God’s love in our own unique way.
As we journey forward, let’s carry with us this spirit of willingness and openness to God’s plan. It’s a reminder that the most significant work of God often happens outside the bounds of tradition and expectation. It happens in hearts willing to say, “Yes,” to God’s call, no matter how unconventional it may appear.
Let us be inspired by Mary’s example as we step into this new chapter together. We may not be in a church building, but we are the church, living out our faith in our daily lives, just as Mary did. God’s work doesn’t require a building; it requires hearts willing to hear and to serve.
In LOVE,
~Bethany
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