Message of Reconciliation
Last night, I had the chance to attend Charlotte One, a gathering of young adults from all different denominations in the Charlotte area. I had a few reservations about it, but wanted to see what it was all about. I was able to go with three other girls, and we had a great time! The worship was great, and the message was even better. Our speaker was Celestin Musekura, and he delivered an inspiring message about reconciliation.
I had just sent out an email the day before to my support team, promising to send periodic updates in an attempt to connect their prayer and financial support to the long-term impact it would have in Fiji. I was struggling with where to start, but I think God was at work with the message Celestin gave us!
I can't go into too much detail on the areas that need reconciliation in Fiji for potential security reasons, but it is easy to find through a simple Google search. I included a few links that are easy to read/get to in order to get you started! You can trust me though when I say that the message of reconciliation needs to be preached and ministered to certain people groups in Fiji.
In this message, Paul makes it clear to all believers that we have the ministry and responsibility of reconciliation. Because of what Christ did for us, we are all made new: "The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." This is such a hopeful message that we have the opportunity to present to the people in Fiji! God is so good - He has made a way for us to be made brand new through the death and resurrection of His son, Jesus!
It was during this point Celestin shared his own experience with forgiveness and reconciliation over some horrible things that have happened in his life. He experienced great loss - including the murders of seven of his family members. I don't think any of us would expect him to have any feelings besides anger, resentment, wanting vengeance, etc. Despite those initial feelings, Celestin could feel that God was calling him to forgive those who murdered them. Because of this, he chose to forgive them the very next day.
The next year, he ended up meeting the relatives of those who murdered his family. He was again filled with resentment and anger towards them. Despite these intense feelings that resurfaced, he knew that God was tugging at his heart again. God told him he needed to practice what he preached when it came to forgiveness and reconciliation. He fought hard against the Spirit that was leading him to ask the relatives for forgiveness, but ended up going to these people and reconciling with them. By God's grace, they are now good friends - one of the relatives actually takes care of his mother!
In the scripture above, verse 20 tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ. It is our responsibility to show and teach others what Christ tells us about reconciliation. I have begun fervently praying that God will use our team to help reconcile families in Fiji. I know that the Gospel message is going to be a powerful tool in connecting with the people and teaching them about our responsibility to forgive each other of past sins. Christ has already paid the debt for our sins (past, present and future), and when he looks at us, we are clean because of Christ! Therefore, we must no longer hold on to this anger and resentment, but instead we are to show love and forgiveness. I don't think people will understand this message without first experiencing forgiveness and reconciliation with God on their own. The ripple effect of this message of reconciliation can truly change the future of Fiji!
Celestin shared with us a common phrase they say in Africa: "God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. It is his nature." What a great reminder of who God is, and how blessed we are to serve Him and be reconciled to Him!
Prayer Support Team
Financial Support Team
I appreciate each and every one of you for supporting me so far, and I love how God is at work in your life, and mine, during this journey!
I had just sent out an email the day before to my support team, promising to send periodic updates in an attempt to connect their prayer and financial support to the long-term impact it would have in Fiji. I was struggling with where to start, but I think God was at work with the message Celestin gave us!
I can't go into too much detail on the areas that need reconciliation in Fiji for potential security reasons, but it is easy to find through a simple Google search. I included a few links that are easy to read/get to in order to get you started! You can trust me though when I say that the message of reconciliation needs to be preached and ministered to certain people groups in Fiji.
- Wikipedia - Because I still find it super helpful... :)
- http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-pacific-14919067
- http://www.theguardian.com/world/2000/jun/03/fiji.johnaglionby
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."
In this message, Paul makes it clear to all believers that we have the ministry and responsibility of reconciliation. Because of what Christ did for us, we are all made new: "The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." This is such a hopeful message that we have the opportunity to present to the people in Fiji! God is so good - He has made a way for us to be made brand new through the death and resurrection of His son, Jesus!
The next year, he ended up meeting the relatives of those who murdered his family. He was again filled with resentment and anger towards them. Despite these intense feelings that resurfaced, he knew that God was tugging at his heart again. God told him he needed to practice what he preached when it came to forgiveness and reconciliation. He fought hard against the Spirit that was leading him to ask the relatives for forgiveness, but ended up going to these people and reconciling with them. By God's grace, they are now good friends - one of the relatives actually takes care of his mother!
In the scripture above, verse 20 tells us that we are ambassadors for Christ. It is our responsibility to show and teach others what Christ tells us about reconciliation. I have begun fervently praying that God will use our team to help reconcile families in Fiji. I know that the Gospel message is going to be a powerful tool in connecting with the people and teaching them about our responsibility to forgive each other of past sins. Christ has already paid the debt for our sins (past, present and future), and when he looks at us, we are clean because of Christ! Therefore, we must no longer hold on to this anger and resentment, but instead we are to show love and forgiveness. I don't think people will understand this message without first experiencing forgiveness and reconciliation with God on their own. The ripple effect of this message of reconciliation can truly change the future of Fiji!
Celestin shared with us a common phrase they say in Africa: "God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good. It is his nature." What a great reminder of who God is, and how blessed we are to serve Him and be reconciled to Him!
Prayer Support Team
- Reconciliation in Fiji!
- That our team will not be overwhelmed with getting things done before the trip, causing us to be burnt out before we even arrive.
- Ongoing financial needs, not only for myself and the team, but our hosts in Fiji as well. They can't continue being a light to those in Fiji without funding.
- That the Spirit continues to work and move in people's hearts in Fiji, and that we will recognize His work and find the people he has prepared for us beforehand.
- I am continuing to find time to spend in the Word and with God, but just pray those times are always intentional and that God continues to teach me new things.
Financial Support Team
- I have a big finance deadline tomorrow, and I need your help in order to meet it! I trust that God has called me to participate in this part of His work, and I know he will continue to use you as a way to fulfill his purpose as well. If God is asking you to give His resources to help, please don't ignore that! He is using you as a way to further His kingdom, and who doesn't want to be a part of that?
- Give online at www.pioneers.org/give/missionary using my account #175146. Please note there is a 3% deduction from your donation amount if you use a credit/debit card. There is no service charge when using an e-check option!
I appreciate each and every one of you for supporting me so far, and I love how God is at work in your life, and mine, during this journey!
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