Sharing Our Stories: A Challenge for you

A Challenge to Learn and Grow Together
A guest post by Kristen Rimer Terrette

Revelation 5 is about praising the Lion, the Lamb, and the Root of David for His victory over sin and death, and His forever reign over all creation.

But this verse. This is one of my favorites. In Revelation 5:9 (NIRV), this is written about Jesus:

“You are worthy to take the scroll and break open its seals.

You are worthy because you were put to death.

With your blood you bought people for God.

They come from every tribe, language, people and nation.”

It paints the perfect picture of Heaven. I love how God’s Word is careful to cover all the bases by mentioning every tribe, language, people and nation. No matter where on earth we reside, or what people group we and our family claim as our heritage, we are combined as ONE in Heaven.

And if our commission is to build God’s Kingdom on earth, so that we look a little more like Jesus on earth every day, then our every day lifestyle must include people from all different backgrounds and cultures.

I’ve been challenged in how I can accomplish this.

Years ago, I was convicted that my everyday life was very neutral, or in my case, vanilla. I’ve mentioned this before, but while I was a children’s ministry director, I realized the kids under my care weren’t as diverse as they should or could have been. I don’t know why I noticed and was bothered by this particularly, but Jesus sure was pointing it out. From then on, I’ve intentionally been open to all types of relationships with people who don’t look like me. Some of these relationships have happened naturally. Some have been more strategic, and I’m still working on this constantly.

I found one of the easiest ways to include people of different tribes, language, nation, and tongue in my life was through social media. It’s that simple! I don’t have to agree politically or even spiritually to see, hear, read, and be opened to the thoughts and ideas of others not like me. The thing is, I have developed relationships and friendships with lots of different people. My compassion level for others, and how I strive to love others well, has amplified. My spirit has joined with the Holy Spirit convicting me and actively engaging me in conversations about race, unity, justice, and Jesus. Anything that does this is worth a try! 

Allow me to share some social media accounts that I follow and love. They give me insight, accountability, and even get me thinking outside my comfort zone. They are from people or organizations representing differing ethnicities—Black, Native, Hispanic, and Asian.

Here’s my challenge for you: Go follow some or all of these social media accounts that I will list below. Commit to a month of watching and reading their posts. This is not the time to input your ideas and try to change someone. This is your time to observe. See what happens! See what God can do in your heart, mind, and spirit. See how He opens your eyes and grows compassion and understanding in your heart.

Anything with the potential to make us better followers of Jesus Christ is worth it.

Read on for the list of some of my favorite Instagram handles. They have challenged my thinking, grown me closer to the heart of God, and given me vision to what Heaven will look like when we are saved in His Kingdom. Most of these people or organizations are also on Facebook and Twitter:

@benjaminswatson

@_kirstenwatson_

@quannyboo

@pastoremase

@morganharpernichols

@tonijcollier

@samcollier

@rondell_trevino

@andcampaign

@changingwomaninitiative

@simijohn

@iammiketodd

@_illuminatives

@emmanuelacho

@ohhappydani

@nicolewalters

@josephprince

@maverickcitymusic

@ruthchousimons

Who do you follow? Comment below with the links to your favorite people so we can learn and grow together!

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Author Bio:

Kristen's passionate about storytelling and helping people take their next steps in their relationship with Jesus.

She lives forty-five minutes outside of Atlanta, GA. where she served as a Children's Ministry Director for many years. With the support of her husband and two children, she now stays home writing fiction and non-fiction.

She also serves on the women’s leadership team at her local church and writes for Crosswalk and Wholly Loved Ministries. You can check out her articles and novels at www.kristenterrette.com.

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Connect with Kristen:
Website - www.kristenterrette.com
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorkristenterrette/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/KTerrette
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kterrette/
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16252020.Kristen_Terrette
BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/kristen-terrette
Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/kterrette2/

Fix Your Eyes on Jesus

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” ~Isaiah 26:3 (KJV)

Earlier this year, it made me so mad when someone told me in the midst of my emotional pain, “I know it hurts but let us fix our eyes on Jesus (Christ).”

I disregarded her advice until tonight when I looked at what I’ve been overlooking for months—a Bible verse that I keep taped onto the screen of my computer. The verse is found in Isaiah 26:3 and it reads, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.”

So, what does that mean?

It means that no matter how much hate and injustice this world hurls at the oppressed, we must focus on Jesus and keep a heavenly perspective because when you look at the bigger picture, you realize that everything we go through on this earth is temporary and will not last forever. Read 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (MSG): “So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever.”

It’s so important to believe and remember that Earth is not our home. If you believe in what God’s Holy Bible says about our life and eternity, you know that the troubles of this world are temporary; Jesus WILL return to take His faithful followers home to heaven and He’ll console us for what we went through on Earth (Revelation 21:4) and we’ll spend eternity with Him. It’s going to be beautiful, ya’ll. So hang in there!

Meanwhile, what are we to do while still experiencing life on Earth? Are we just to sweep injustice under the proverbial rug and carry on as if it doesn't matter? No! The Bible doesn’t say to condone or agree with injustice. The Bible says: “This is God’s Message: Attend to matters of justice. Set things right between people. Rescue victims from their exploiters. Don’t take advantage of the homeless, the orphans, the widows. Stop the murdering!” ~Jeremiah 22:2-3 (MSG)

God requires ALL of us to “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8, KJV). He even advises people who have servants who society would says are beneath them. In Ephesians 6:9, God says, “Masters, it’s the same with you. No abuse, please, and no threats. You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven. He makes no distinction between you and them.”

So in the midst of depression, oppression and injustice and all the emotional trauma it causes, I’ve realized that the best way to survive it (in addition to speaking out against it and finding good way to promote peace and harmony) is to as that prayer warrior I know said, “Fix our eyes on Jesus.”

Is it easy? No! 

But, Is it worth it? Yes!

So does fixing our eyes on Jesus mean that we are supposed to accept injustice and tolerate abuse? No! God doesn’t call us to be silent as we fix our eyes on Jesus. He calls us to live peacefully with everyone and renounce injustice! We are to defend the defenseless, be a voice to the voiceless and be a light for Jesus Christ in this world.

Perhaps the best approach to eradicating injustice and healing hearts is found in the words of the great Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” We are to love one another like God loves us.

I want to be a light for Jesus Christ and drive out darkness. I want to drive out hate with love. I hope and pray that this blog post touches your heart and that you’ll be inspired to drive out darkness with light; drive out hate with love.

God bless you!

Sincerely,

Alexis

P.S._ Here are two songs by Christian musician Scott Krippayne that aligned with my message to you in this post: “Every Single Tear” and “The Best is Yet to Come.”