by jsantos on March 3, 2010
Just in this year alone, we have had two major earthquakes in the countries of Haiti, and now Chile. We can only imagine what families are going through with the loss of loved ones from these natural disasters. The media coverage has a way of heightening our senses to the grief, pain, and anguish people are experiencing through video footage and photo shots. We might not be in Haiti or Chile, but the reality is many people around us at work, in our neighborhoods, and even at church are going through “earthquake-like” experiences and we are oblivious to their grief.
Why does grief bring such a heavy burden arising from the ashes of bereavement? Why the accident? Why the terminal illness? Why the natural disaster? Why the finality of death?
Why does grief come in waves of anguish and pain? Grief has a way of leaving us feeling fragile and unstable. All you want to do inside is withdraw from friends and even loved ones.
There is nothing you can do to prepare or plan ahead of time for your moment of loss. Death has no warning signals. It is unpredictable and unexpected. When death comes, it can cause our lives to move in slow motion, resulting in numbness towards life.
God’s Word has no better word for death than “enemy” (1 Cor. 15:25-26). Death is at war of everything beautiful and precious about life. The outcry of our hearts that death is wrong and unnatural is absolutely right and true. Death exists because of sin (Rom. 6:23). When Adam and Eve acted as king and queen of their own kingdoms, they abandoned God’s Kingdom and forsook God’s ruling love in their lives. Everyone in humanity followed their footsteps (Rom. 5:12). Thus, death became a reality.
But death and grief do not have the final word, but life: resurrected life in Jesus Christ! The gospel reminds Christians that Jesus Christ died the death we should have died and lived the life we fail to live. Christ rose again so that death would be defeated. When we hear the deaths of loved ones and the lives lost in earthquakes, it reminds us that death still lives. Yes, death is our last enemy, and death will be defeated once and for all. Christ’s bodily resurrection and supremacy guarantees this.
So preach to yourself that Jesus’ resurrection and life have the last word.
Preach to yourself that Jesus has already paid for your sins and you’re forgiven.
Grief would want you to seek and escape to other temporary comforts: old photo albums, material things, memorable stories, and distractions (tv shows, facebook, twitter, exercise, food, relationships). They all provide some brief comfort but none can satisfy you except Christ alone.
Pray and believe that Jesus would be your true source of comfort.
Christ knows your pain. He experienced death Himself and conquered it.
Because Christ lives, you also will live (Jn. 14:19).
by robertcheong on February 24, 2010
Married couples rejoice when they find out they are pregnant. But for those who are unable to conceive, they are flooded with a range of emotions.
Read the compelling article, The Bible and the Pain of Infertility, written by a husband and wife who wrestled with God, themselves and others as they traveled the road of infertility. Hear how the gospel penetrates beyond the depth of such heart-wrenching pain.
by robertcheong on February 6, 2010
Sojourn Counseling is offering an informational session Sunday, 14 Feb 2010 for anyone interested in finding out more about the counseling ministry. This meeting is for those who might want to jump in and start training at the beginning of the second quarter-April 2010.
The same informational meeting will be offered twice, in two time slots: 11:30-12:30 and 5:15-6:15pm at the Germantown campus. We will meet in room 306 on the 3rd floor at the Germantown campus
Please register if you plan to attend this informational meeting.
If you want to find out more info prior to the meeting, check out the “Getting Involved” tab on the Sojourn Counseling website.
by robertcheong on February 4, 2010
This past Saturday evening, over a dozen Sojourn members and ministry leaders brought food and love to share with Haitian refugees evacuated to Louisville from their earthquake-ridden island. Sojourn partnered with three local churches to rally its members to care and counsel those grieving from loss of loved ones and belongings. Little did I know what God had in store for me.
First, God made the reality of great suffering real to me as I sat beside a 40-year old Haitian man, who hardly slept or ate in over two weeks due to the shock of death and destruction. He explained in French, through an interpreter, that the earthquake that killed over 3,000 people in his home town, or ten percent of the 30,000 residents, took the lives of over 200 extended family members, destroyed his home, and decimated his business. His wife and two daughters have been sleeping outdoors since the earthquake and have not been able to complete the paperwork needed to evacuate. The Haitian man humbly asked that we pray for his wife and two kids as he showed Karen and me pictures of his lovely family. He also asked for help in evacuating his family.
Second, God made the reality of my sinfulness real to me as He revealed deep sin in my heart. I can’t speak for the other Sojourners but before last Saturday, I struggled to connect with the reality of the January 12, 2010 earthquake that killed over 150,000 people who lived thousands of miles away. Not only did I battle a disconnectedness, I also struggled with the fear of the unknown, not knowing how many Haitians would need counsel and how to deal with deep grief of each unique person. I often forget that God is the One who ministers and I merely participate.
Lastly, God made the reality of international missions real to me here in Louisville. As Karen and I drove to the prayer service, God revealed the misplaced priorities of my self-centered life. God convicted me that I tend to live for my own agenda as I battled giving up some of my Saturday evening to serve people I didn’t know and may not even see again. I repented as I drove down the interstate. I asked Karen to read Psalm 71 so that God’s word would prepare our hearts for His mission, instead of our typical Saturday night routine of self-indulgence. God made me aware of how many gospel opportunities I miss because I am not living for Him and His mission but for myself.
Here are some practical next steps:
(1) Ask God to open your eyes and step into the lives of hurting people. God will change your heart so that you begin to grieve what grieves God’s heart. Look for opportunities in your own family, with your neighbors, and with your Sojourn family.
(2) Fight your disconnection and fear so that you can offer the gospel to others, especially in times of great need. God grows you when you step out in faith to love those in need. Take advantage of opportunities to learn how to help others in need by stepping into SEED, Sojourn’s Mercy ministry (mercy@sojournchurch.com) and Sojourn’s Counseling ministry (counseling@sojournchurch.com) .
(3) Repent from living for yourself and not for God. We tend to live for our own kingdom-this blinds us to God’s mission. God has not only relocated 1200 Haitians to Louisville, but he has moved hundreds of internationals who desperately need to hear the gospel. God has called you to step into international right here in your own city. Contact missions@sojournchurch.com to find out how you can engage internationals here in Louisville.
by robertcheong on December 23, 2009
God is constantly moving and working to build His church and advance His kingdom! It is an exciting time at Sojourn as we see and experience how God uses His gospel message to call us to gospel mission as we live in gospel community. Lives are being transformed, relationships and families are being changed, and our neighbors are being comforted and challenged by the gospel.
Sojourn Counseling plays an integral role in gospel mission as we care for and equip the body so that every member can not only live out the gospel in the midst of the struggles and triumphs of life, but are able to help others do the same-inside and outside the church.
The past two years have been a great time of understanding and developing God’s vision for Sojourn Counseling through much prayer, reflection, discussion within a growing network of gospel-driven churches around the world, and engagement in the “ground war,” or life-on-life ministry, at Sojourn. It has become obvious that as the Lord continues to grow Sojourn, and as we continue to engage the city, Sojourn Counseling needs to grow and engage as well. How will we do this?
This is where you come in! We are praying for the Lord to raise up new leaders to be a part of the counseling team, as we are all called to help and equip others to understand, believe in, and apply the gospel to life and relationships-this is what gospel living is all about! Whether you have formal counseling training or not, we have developed pathways for you to be equipped and serve in Sojourn Counseling.
If you want to find out more about Sojourn Counseling, click on the “Getting Involved” tab to learn more about the next Info Session, the Level 1-3 gospel counselor certification, the application process, and the intensive training program. If you have any questions, e-mail us at counseling@sojournchurch.com.
