Supernatural Love

Churches are called to be people who give and receive supernatural love.

Last Sunday, our special music was performed by a husband and wife team. I always enjoy watching them perform. Their words are always so heartfelt and there’s a beautiful humility about them. The wife has been sick recently, and the congregation has been praying for her.

They’re a little older, both sporting a little gray hair. I was blessed to be able to attend their wedding. It was a second wedding for them both. They came up after church service ended, one Sunday and were married in the presence of the congregation. I don’t know if I’ve ever attended a more heartfelt ceremony.

Afterwards, we had a potluck lunch in the fellowship hall where everyone was invited to stay. They even had a first dance, after the lunch. It was s simple affair, but incredibly meaningful, two people who have traveled around the sun enough times, who know how very important it is to have God at the center of their marriage and a church family to cheer them on.

I’ve thought of their simple ceremony often and how these days, we like to spend thousands of dollars on wedding ceremonies without even inviting God to be there, and then we wonder why the divorce rate is so high.

After they performed, she took the microphone and said she would like to say a few words. She shared that she recently had a mental crash of sorts and that she struggles with bipolar disorder. She said through some tears, that she was much better and that she wanted to share with the congregation because she was so thankful for the prayers, but that she also knew that there wasn’t one of us who hadn’t been touched by depression, or anxiety, or other mental struggles in our own families.

She wanted to remind us that these struggles were nothing to be ashamed of.

I fought tears listening to her and then again, as everyone gave her a round of applause. I thought about how a Christian community is supposed to be one that encourages and loves one another through the good stuff like weddings, baby showers and baptisms, but also through the bad stuff like funerals, sickness, and struggles of all kinds.

I admired her courage to share her struggle with her church family. There could easily have been someone who needed to hear it and know they’re not alone. The Bible tells us, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11

We get that wrong a lot. Churches are made up of broken people. Mistakes are made and God gets blamed for human failures.

But, we get it right sometimes too and when we do, I believe that there are cheers in heaven. A heartfelt thanks, reminded me that there’s a supernatural strength and love within Christian community that we are all called to give and receive. Perhaps you needed reminding too.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂