At Lifecentre we value doing life together. Our culture has taught us that to be independent is to somehow be superior. That’s it’s better to do things on our own. That the more we can do on our own the more power and choices we have. As women we often believe this. I personally struggle with an independent spirit and I need to be very intentional about keeping my reliance on God and trusting others enough to rely on them too. I sometimes get caught in feeling it’s week to need help, but I choose not to be ruled by feelings that are going to hurt me in the long run and I fight them by putting myself in positions where I have to rely on God and others.
Coming to small groups are very difficult at first. They are awkward and uncomfortable. They take us out of our comfort zone and we don’t know what to expect. We put our guard up because we don’t know if we can trust the people in our groups.
“Together” we are people who are with one another, it’s something being done in a joint effort, with others, interacting, integrated coherent structure, in agreement, simultaneously, stable and self-confident according to the dictionary.
If we understand what it means to do life together we would see how valuable it really is. God created each one of us with a need for togetherness. We fight it by trying to be so strong but we long to be together.
I encourage you to give into your longing for togetherness. Although life may not be easier when done together it’s far more fulfilling and rewarding.
Ephesians 4:15-16 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
We will be equipped for anything that life brings us when each part works together properly. You all have a part to play in that dream. As we grow we will build one another up in love.
It's not too late to be a part of a lifegroup. There are a bunch of ladies meeting on Wednesday Nights at 7:30 in Lifecentre's Kids and Youth Wing. We'd love to have you.
Are you in a small group or lifegroup? What does it mean to you?
The last several years have been challenging for me in the area of relationships. We had spent 3 years in Yellowknife following an event that had shaken the foundations of our marriage as well as who I believed God to be. Our first year in Yellowknife was hell; but because of its isolation, it also became a place of healing for us. Looking back I can see how God took us there in order for that healing to begin.
When we arrived in Ottawa almost 10 years ago, I remember giving God permission to make changes in my life so that I might have a deeper relationship with him and with my husband, but I also wanted a friend. I got what I desired, but not quite in the way I had planned.
Over the past 10 years I have enjoyed some of the closest relationships I’ve ever had with people that I trusted with my family and details of our lives. I’ve also experienced the end to many of these relationships and have been left to deal with the aftermath: feelings of doubt, rejection, fear of getting close. I did break out of my shell enough to spend time with two women who I trust and who have become very dear to me. I believe that God allowed me to get to a place of desperation before I was able to reach out to either of them and trust again.
Late last spring I decided that I would go to a ladies lifegroup this year and so despite burning my face a few days before (I could well have used that as my excuse not to go) I went to church last Wednesday evening. I was a little nervous, but it wasn’t as difficult as I’d thought! We all started in the same room and each group’s facilitator gave a brief description of what their group was going to be doing over the next while. They were all welcoming; I chose a group that was discussing “The Sacred Echo” – it’s about hearing God in your everyday life and that interested me. Ironically, my own sacred echo is Be strong and Courageous. (Joshua 1:9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.) I was reminded of it when I heard the description of what a sacred echo is…..
It was good to be there and I’m glad I went. For me going to a lifegroup was a first step to get beyond the wall of protection I had put up and past the wrong belief that I have nothing to offer. Other people may say or do things that hurt me, whether intentioned or not; but I’m quite sure I’ve done far more damage than they.
I know that this is just a step. I know there is a journey ahead that won’t always be easy, but I do want to keep moving. I’m going to commit to going regularly, so if you read this and struggle with feelings of rejection; if you have become your own worst enemy by hiding inside yourself, and you’d like to come, I can honestly say that I’d love to have you…..
Lori, that was an awesome post. I think we need a “Confessions” column in our church bulletin!
Would you mind if we printed it? Giving you full credit, of course. This might be a side business for you! Syndicated columnist for christian publications! 
And Debbie, wow. I don’t even know you and I am feeling so proud for you. Thanks for sharing.