God's Grace Abundant One Wednesday Night

It all began for me as I arrived at our church’s regular, weekly Prayer Service …

6:45 New Friends & Welcome
I meet and greet 2 new young women, both just started attending youth group, and now I know the names behind these smiles as well as a tiny bit of who they are & what they enjoy!

6:50 Fellowship, Friendship, Belonging
Before the service begins, I enjoy two separate conversations with 3 women, catching up on family news, laughing about struggles, sharing concerns, and encouraging each other in God’s work in the day to day grind. (“I’m not alone in this” gives me hope!)

7:00 Praise and Information
Singing of God’s goodness and grace gives me midweek opportunity to worship. Hearing an update of 2 families’ needs (cancer and another’s recovery) gives me opportunity for bearing with one the burden and sharing with the other thanksgiving. (I am given the chance to weep with those who weep, to rejoice with those who rejoice!)

7:10 Instruction in God’s Word
We read Colossians 3 as different voices speak out the truth of God’s word verse by verse. I listen. My mind has opportunity for the Spirit’s transforming work as I take it in. (I hear the quick, powerful, sharper-than-a-two-edged-sword means that God uses to bring change!)

7:15 Meditation, Encouragement, Accountability, Edification
Breaking into groups of 4-5, we pore over the same passage, 1)What sins do we struggle with from this passage (we listen, then stop to pray for each other in this), 2) What provision does God give for these (and we notice God’s help stated here in his POWER), 3) What demonstrations of his grace as listed in this passage have we seen in each other? (and we share how GOD IS WORKING in our lives… “I see Him in your life!” we encourage, and explain how.) 4) We discuss how we can better display the fruits of obedience in our homes, as listed in the passage ( and so we share tangible ways to live out our faith.) Open, transparent conversation continues.

7:50 Prayer for the Body and Beyond, Obedience, Unity
We bow our heads to lift before God’s throne the needs of so many. Our nation, its leaders, our church, the unreached, our missionaries, our upcoming events…we ask God’s direction & glory in each. (We obey his command to pray; we join together to do this.)

8:10 Love, Friendship, Sharing. Ministry
Our small group breaks but we mingle with others to continue talking. Conversations turn personal, warm, caring. “How was the conference at which you spoke?” How is your daughter at college doing?” “How is your busy schedule?” And so between us we interplay our ‘catch up’ with life, experiencing the everyday treasure of belonging, of others’ caring, of being part of something bigger than myself. One conversation discusses strategy to rejoice with another far away at a new birth. (We merge our theology [what we know of God] with our daily life.)

8:55 Departure
I leave the building encouraged and smiling. I realize I’ve tasted in a small way the brilliance of God in how He designed the Body of Christ to minister to each other. So much given me in this brief time shared together. (Perhaps I've been a channel of his grace to others!?) What a treasure of opportunity! What a gift of His goodness.

All of this found in 90+ minutes on a typical, simple Wednesday night.
(Which means I'll be back next week for more! How can I pass up such richness?!)

God, your grace is given in abundant measure.
Thank you for this sweet taste of your goodness.