​I used to portray to people that I didn’t care what they said about me or even that I was a good sport when it came to constructive criticism. But I did care, and I do care what people think about me. Even if it's to help me in a situation or to push me to be more like Jesus, I have to mentally prepare for those moments! 
People on social media are so good to show how addicted they are to people’s feedback. Back in 2017, I believed that September 23rd of that year that something would happen because Virgo in the stars had a 12 stars above her head and Jupiter, the king planet, was perfectly in her womb area, and the moon was under her feet and the sun was also aligned– describing Revelation 12:1-2. Did I think that the world would end? No. Was I convinced the rapture would happen? No, but it sure would have been nice! I really wasn’t sure, but I was excited and expectant for something to happen. I kept it to myself (except for a select few I trusted) for most of the year, because I was super afraid of what others thought.  
About a month before September 23rd, I decided to go for it and post about it because I was wondering if anyone else was expectant too. If there were people who were expectant, they didn’t say anything. But the people who thought I was a whackadoodle made sure to let me know what they thought of me and my observations. One person commented that they were disappointed in me and the ministry I was a part of for having these thoughts. Another person just commented with a GIF of a guy in foil hat. One comment or message I did not receive was asking questions about it, or what I thought, or how I came to this thinking.  
More than anything, I wish people would have asked me questions. 
This season of expectancy drew me closer to God than ever before. It woke me out of my complacency, out of the numbness towards the great commission, and out of the passionless existence I was living. I wanted to share the Gospel with people, and I finally got my excitement back to do. Tried to share the gospel every day on social media (which also got push back from people who claimed to be Christ followers) and was intentional about having spiritual conversations. And if I didn’t share the gospel, I would at least share a scripture or two. God showed me different avenues to share the gospel, like through the constellations and how my garden was growing. I listened to 176 books and countless sermons and YouTube videos that year about a very broad variety of topics. God and I wrote lots of blog posts, sometimes late at night, pouring out all that He was teaching me. I was even actively working out, which I had NEVER done, because I wanted every part of my life to be obedient to Jesus and not have my flesh dictate my actions. 
Even though this was most of my year, in one month with one or two posts people judged quickly that I wasn’t worth listening to. The disappointment I felt from people’s reaction demoralized me from all that God was doing in and through me. Was it other’s fault that I didn’t keep doing all the right and good things? Absolutely not! My greatest fear was exposed – my fear of not being accepted by others. And I would spent the next couple years recovering and grappling with this crippling fear of what others thought. It really hasn’t been until the COVID quarantine in 2019 that God brought it up and had me deal with my sin of being so concerned about what others think of me. 
 
You know what has been my biggest comfort? Yes, knowing the truth of who I am in Christ, but also realizing that heavenly me will be different and seen through the eyes of sinless people. Seriously! Can you imagine what it will be like to interact with other sinless people?? We’re not going to judge looks or the various ways we see the same thing. We’ll still have our uniqueness without the sin of manipulating parts of ourselves – the masks of who we want to be perceived as will be removed. We will seek to understand and be able to communicate in a way that others will understand. We will act and respond like we truly want to be our sin won’t get in the way and other’s sin won’t misconstrue our intentions. We will be fully known and absolutely believe that we’re fully known by God – don't you think that would fundamentally change how we act in and of itself? We will see people through the lens of only grace, mercy, love through Jesus Christ, instead of questioning people’s motives or assuming one thing or another about them. We will live boldly by do our heavenly jobs without questioning if others think we’re qualified or not. We will be passionate about Jesus day in and day out! 
How do you think you will act and respond to yourself knowing you won’t be affected by what others think in heaven?

​Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. 
​
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One of the (many) things which draws me to the person of God, is how uniquely, beautifully and resolutely he names each one of us. He’s been doing it a long time and shows us how to do the same.
Here are just a few examples:
​
1)God changes the names of Abram and Sarai, to Abraham and Sarah.     
When God changes Abram to Abraham, he affirms the manifold promise He has given to make him ‘the father of many nations.’ Abram means ‘high father’ but Abraham goes further to mean ‘father of a multitude.’ Similarly, Sarai means ‘my princess’ but Sarah means ‘mother of nations.’ He names them ‘into’ what He has said they will become even though they are still without a child.
 
2)God calls forth Gideon into the attributes He has for him.
When the angel of the Lord first appears to Gideon, he names him ‘mighty warrior.’ Yet, this is Gideon who called himself ‘the least’ of his lowly tribe. He is the one who asks for multiple signs to know God is calling to him. He is the one who cowered at every turn, though, in his defense, he was being called to do a massive thing. Yet, it is because God speaks His ultimate purposes to life in Gideon that he names him as valiant and strong.
 
3)God gives fullness to the Name Above Every Name.
Ultimately, we see God’s greatest naming coming in the names he bestows upon His Son. Jesus, the Christ, Savior, Emmanuel, Prince of Peace, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father just to name a few. His is One Name, yet many, all declaring the fullness of who He is.
 
In this same way, we are called to ‘name’ those we love. If we picked out specific meanings for our children’s names, then we recall them before the Lord and them, claiming that these will be their name. God may also give us special words or expressions like He did for Gideon. These we use to build up our families, loved ones, friends and ultimately the Body of Christ.
 
It may seem simple, but the practice of naming is quite radical. It is a counterattack to the lies of the Enemy spewing un-truths about God’s children. As we speak into the atmosphere names such as ‘strong’, ‘courageous’, ‘beloved’, ‘beautiful’, ‘faithful’ and so many more, we stand against the powers and principalities of this dark world.
 
So, I issue this challenge and name you a ‘speaker of names’ unto the Glory of God. Look for an abundant amount of ways to bless others into the great things God has for them as members of His kingdom, beloved of His heart, and ones claimed forever as His.

​
​Abby is a small-town loving, big city adventurer.  She and her husband have worked with high school students most of their lives!  Since their internship in Budapest, Hungary in 2005-2006, they have been working with the ministry of CRU.  In May of this year, they moved to Hungary answering God's call to work long-term with the students of Central and Eastern Europe.  Abby loves to laugh, especially at herself, has a passion for God and making Him known and is ever learning how to do that with three small children, ages 5, 3 and one month.  She wouldn't trade the journey for anything!  She blogs regularly at Fan the Flame   

“Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.” Brene Brown
 
We have all been there many times. It is the point in a conversation when we can either share about our mess or move on to something else. There may be good reasons to not be vulnerable and expose ourselves. But lots of times there are very good reasons to do so.

Unpacking the above quote from Brene Brown, I will name some of them:

1. It is better to befriend our story than run from it: I had symptoms of bipolar disorder about fifteen years before I was diagnosed. In that time, I was haunted by the possibility of being mentally ill in a way I didn’t recognize. The manic episode which precipitated my diagnosis nearly took my life. Yet, as I gained perspective, I realized the hunt was over. I didn’t have to run anymore. My battle had a name and with help I could fight it as one who overcame. This meant I had the freedom to share my story from a place of confidence and hope.
2. Embracing vulnerability opens us up to a full life: In some places, there may still be a stigma related to whatever struggle we have. This makes us want to clam up and not offer ourselves. Yet, as we are vulnerable about this life-altering journey, we shed layers of shame, doubts about who we are, and feelings of ‘less-than’. We say ‘my mess has not made me. It is a part of my story, but it isn’t the whole of my story. Right now, I choose love. I choose joy. I choose life. I stand tall, brave and strong.’
3. All parts of our story tie together: We are all here for a reason. There is transcendent meaning and as we choose life, we find it. So, even those dark places have something profound to teach us and others. As we voice the things which have cost us, we make peace with our loss. This peace translates to our story and can have the ability to affect others for good. Their struggle may not ours but something else. Regardless, we have left an imprint by our choice to be present with ourselves and them as we share our story.
4. Vulnerability produces strength: It’s the paradox of our humanity. As we are open about our weakness, we acknowledge there is a core resilience which cannot be defeated. We rise from those proverbial ashes. And, as we do, each time standing taller, we raise an anthem within us. This song can never be destroyed, because it is integrated with all ultimate reality, namely the hope of God.​
5. When we hold back, afraid of hurt, our story is lost: We are each wonders who have stared down hell and overcome. It is true—there may be those who do not or cannot understand. Ignorant comments may hurt us. But this is not where we focus our eyes. Our stories come from the deepest places within us and nothing can take away their beauty. When we make the choice to always hold it all close, we deprive the world of something, of someone, glorious.

There is all the grace in the world for where you are at, sister. Yet, truly, as we share our stories of hope and redemption, of mess and mourning, we shine the light on He who IS the Light of the World. And our words hold an integrity, an authenticity, which would be missed otherwise. This is relevant apologetics which will draw many closer to He who desires to encompass all of our stories in His Great Story.

​I am wife to a wonderful man, mama to three precious now-little-but-soon-will-not-be loves. Each born in a different place--two states including 2 states and 2 countries. I am a farm girl who found her heart in the city. I can now claim fluency in 3 languages :: English, Spanish & Hungarian.This combined with the all-too-true 'mommy brain' explains much regarding my mental state most days;) I am a sojourner longing for Home. Yet, in my messy and broken, I embrace the moments given with all I have. I am seeking, praying, and learning again and again that it is for His Glory I live. My prayer is that my little life would make much of Him! I write regularly at Abigail Alleman.
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“This is what heaven must look like,” I said to my daughter, as we heard Siri announce, “Welcome to Colorado”; white, paradise-like peeks, sparkling streams, and life that seeped deep into our lungs effortlessly as we breathed in fully, the fresh-mountain air.

We had been to Denver twice, attending two previous Missional Women Conferences from the Northwest corner city of Seattle; but 2019’s retreat was different. Nestled in a glorious, mountainous region, every ounce of the wondrous birch trees, evergreens, and strikingly stunning magpie birds seemed to point us to His fame.

The soul stilled, without commanding, the moment our car twisted up along the windy road, where a picture-perfect lodge waited with clean sheets, a spacious room, and a space where we could meet with God, personally, and collectively, all striving quieted by His creation.

The temperature was perfect; sunny and warm, yet white covered the earth in late April, as if grace had already blanketed itself, long before our feet ever came to Colorado.

Women had flown from New York, Texas, and Montana. Dispositions contented, hearts rested, minds stilled as the earth we settled upon. “Hope” was the theme of this year’s conference.

Wisdom spoke through table conversations, speakers we listened to, and personal conversations clearly orchestrated by grace and seemingly God himself. Better yet, God confirmed His Sovereignty, as we painted rocks, made bracelets and played games that erupted in laughter, bonding, and connectedness through relationship with those we were sitting next to.

If you have not met the down-to-earth people of Durango, shut off your phone and separated yourself unto Jesus, or driven to where it seems earth meets heaven, consider coming to next year’s Missional Women Conference.
​

Below are a few take-a-ways from this year’s retreat.

1. Things should never trump people.
2. Jesus embraced suffering, knowing it was part of God’s good plan. ~ Rachael Woodie
3. The more we fall apart, the more God’s life has the power to shine through us. ~ Mitch Kostreva
4. Those who isolate themselves, seek their own desires.
5. To know and be known is the greatest need of mankind. ~ Laura Krokos
6. There is no healing, unless the wound is revealed.
7. God cannot use a man greatly until He has wounded Him deeply.
8. Stay on track.
9. Repentance is a threshold to Grace. ~ Sara McNutt
10. In Heaven: We are going to be screaming out the name of Jesus, because we just can’t contain it anymore. ~ Leah Hillewaert
11. Disciples are made, not born.
12. Motherhood is a calling, but it’ not the definition of who we are. ~ Hope McCleary
13. Before we know it, our hope becomes our idols. ~ Kim Beach
14. Hope reaches into the curtain, beyond the Holy Place.
15. We don’t go hide in the castle when there is no war. ~ Rachel Woodie
16. The people that are in the Word are growing the fastest. ~ Laura Krokos
17. We can kill ourselves daily by not taking care of ourselves. ~ Linda Akins
18. Dead Hope requires refocusing.
19. Don’t feel your way into faith. Faith your way into feeling.
20. Disguised hope requires a revelation of truth.
21. Hope is secure when it’s in the “Who” of Jesus Christ, not in the “What”. ~ Sarah McNutt
22. I can embrace pain because Christ suffered for me. ~ Jackie Johnson
23. I don’t get to choose what kind of vessel I am. ~ Laura Krokos
24. Don’t just go off some book, go off what the Bible says about Heaven.
25. Train your brain to think about heaven. ~ Leah Hillewaert
26. Our Father Knows Best. ~ Linda Akins
27. When a dream dies, often we must go through stages of grief for those lost dreams.
28. Come to God for protection. He is our steadfast hope and shield.
29. Sometimes dreams die, so He can birth a new life. ~ Hope McCleary
30. Don’t be afraid to pray, “God, enlighten our minds, by your Holy Spirit.”

 

​Though born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations.  Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios.  Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s.  Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family.  You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda .  Jen is also on facebook.

Since the beginning of this year, I feel like God has been opening up my eyes to the evil in this world. Humanity has done very little to make this earth a beautiful place!! Lately God is opening my eyes wider to the brokenness in the body of Christ. I love The Church, the bride of Christ! But it hurts to see that body treat each other so poorly!! Between sermons I have heard and the interactions I have had with some people, I am seeing how broken we are and not following Jesus in dealing with each other.

SIN IS RAMPANT!! Today I’m sitting down to write something very gospel-centered and I keep having these hurts from people pop into my mind. I don’t hate these people who irritated or hurt me, and I truly believe I have responded with grace and truth. But fear wants so desperately to creep in to keep me from sharing truth with others! Fear grips me out of nowhere and makes me overthink my decisions to even post the good news of Jesus on social media. Sin is raging in this world, and I am a contributor to it!

I have moments of sadness, feeling the injustice of this world hang on me like a backpack of rocks! Who will stand up for me? Who will come alongside and defend truth with me? Who is out there sharing the good news of Jesus? Who will clear my name for me when I look like I am in the wrong?

Then Jesus shows me a picture of heaven, and I can’t help but tear up and praise Him!! In Heaven all wrongs will be righted! In Heaven those who have judged me incorrectly will be shown the truth! In Heaven God will show ME how I have wronged others and have judged incorrectly!!! Oh what a glorious day!!

He expands my thoughts to the broken and ugly relationships I have seen in my lifetime. The voids between those people who are Christians will be filled by the grace and truth of Jesus! All those ugly words said in front and behind people’s back will be covered by the grace and truth of Jesus!! The church splits, the horrible fall outs between friends, the despicable sin that tainted family dynamics – in light of Jesus they all seen in their FULL TRUTH, we will be humbled to our knees, and with sober minds and joyful hearts we will be able to interact in a new way that has never been seen before!! Oh Jesus, come quickly!!

In light of Heaven, I change the way I pray and the way I interact with others. Precious child of Jesus, I am far from perfect in how I deal with people nor do I think that how I do communicate or interact with others now better than others! BUT, in light of Heaven, I can’t help but change because if it’s not going to be like this forever then I want to function that works best for eternity without sin then dig my feet deeper into the sin that can easily dominate the life around me!
​
Dear Lord Jesus, PLEASE COME SOON!! I am so desperate to see you face to face, and to live life without sin hindering my thoughts, attitudes and actions!! Until then, change MY heart for the people around me. Help me to pray and respond how YOU want me to pray and react to the people I come in contact with. Help me to be bold to share the gospel! Thank you for giving me Your Holy Spirit so the impossible can be done!! The world is getting darker, but You shine brighter. Help my eyes be fixed on you and not on the sin around me. Thank you for bringing me one day closer to seeing you face to face!!

​​Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. 
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comparing what I see inwardly of how God changed me to what I see outwardly of others.

Laura, the creator and host of Missional Women is married and has six kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries since 2002 serving with Master Plan Ministries. Laura is the Staff Women's Development Coordinator and has discipled over 150 women, led over 30 Bible studies and speaks many times a year. Laura is an author and creator of ministry tools and resources. You can find her books and resources at the Missional Women store and  connect with her on facebook,twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram and her author site.




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God woke you and I up this morning for one purpose:
To "Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples."
1 Chronicles 16:24 
He "made all things, and everything continues through him and for him. To him be the glory forever." Romans 11:36.
And"'There is only one God, the Father, who created everything, and we exist for him." 1 Corinthians 8:6

"Why does the earth spin? For him.
Why do you have talents and abilities? For him.
Why do you have money or poverty? For him.
Strength or struggles? For him.
Everything and everyone exists to reveal his glory. Including you." Max Lucado

Declaring His glory involves speaking up.

For many years of my Christian life I was the talker. I answered every question because I knew all the answers (or so I thought). Then life got hard and so did my heart. I began to be bound by fear of offending or fear of making people feel stupid. So I didn't share much. Loud mouth became quiet.
 
For example if someone asked my how my time with the Lord was, I would say "Oh just ok" when it had been incredible because I didn't want to make the other person feel guilty if they hadn't had a stellar time with the Lord. Twisted huh! That's where bad boundaries will get you.

Well, praise God, He began to heal my wounded head injury (spiritually, since I was believing twisted lies.)
And enabled me to see that the good and the bad both point to Him. I can delight in and be excited about the amazing things God has done in me and can share it with people just as much as I can be in awe of how He redeems the bad because it's not about me at all.
 
Oh my, I guess that is just a long way of saying that what people think, whether good or bad about me, my reputation is really not even about me.

We don't need to worry about what others think about where we stand in this world. It's all just about focusing on Him and let Him place us with the platform He desires.

Has this ever been you?
You step out in faith believing the Lord has led you to do something. It's scary and you've gone back to God like Moses saying, "Are you sure God? I'm not_________ enough. What if people think____________? You finally put your fears aside and decide to trust God and take step after step. There's a certain excitement from obedience and seeing God continue to lead you by His Word and provide encouragement. But then a brother or sister in Christ comes at you attacking and tearing you down. They judge your motives and say things about you that aren't true. They distort reality all the while using God's Word to put you in your place. It seems they have this level of perfection you failed to live up to. You feel crushed.

​Have you ever wanted to throw in the towel and give up doing what God called you to do because of the push back or criticism you've experienced from people? I think this is a common reality. I've talked to person after person who is tempted to quit serving God because of the way other believers have treated them.

​I've been there. A lot. Many times I've come to the end of where I thought possible to endure. I've thought many times, Why in the world am I doing this when people wish I wasn't? But then gently as our Lord does, He lifts my head and reminds me that it's not about me and it's not about them. It's about Him. And time and time again 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 proves true. "We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

And each time I have to walk through criticism, misconceptions and hurts dealt from other people, it's like iron sharpening iron and I can eventually look back and see personal growth. And again 2 Corinthians 4:10 proves true, "Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies."

Are you in a place you're being tempted to give up? You're not alone. There are so many godly people who have felt what you feel. Daniel, Joseph, Moses, Nehemiah, Jeremiah, Abigail, Hannah, Mary and on and on. And just as God was with them, He is with you. Just as He showed up for them, He will show up for you.

The enemies goal is to distract you. If he can't distract you he'll discourage you. If he can't discourage you he'll try to get you to despair and give up all and defeat you in making an impact for Christ.

​Don't give up. God will use even this for your good and His glory.

​Each time the Lord allows me to go though the stressful time of dealing with criticism of other believers, these things have helped me. I hope they also help and encourage you.



​7 Things for When you Feel Beat Up
​
1. Set your mind on the Lord. The circumstances and your own emotional hurts will tempt you to keep your eyes on the pain and the offense but keeping your eyes there will only be a downward spiral leading to bitterness. It takes intentionality to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and keep your attention on what's true about God. This will mean clinging to His Word and putting more confidence in Him and His work in your life than in what others think about you. Play the what's true game.

​2. Examine your heart. Think about what you are holding onto and why you're holding so tightly to it? Is it a belief that you somehow have to control what other people think? Is it fear? It seems most things we hold tightly to and have a hard time surrendering are out of fear or control. Ask God to show you if there is something and if He does, surrender it to Him. Fight to keep Christ on the throne of your life and don't let your flesh take over. The enemy would like nothing more to keep you from living life surrendered to the Lord.

3. Pray for them. There was a time I was unjustly criticized and I got angry. I was so angry I just stormed off and neglected my responsibilities and went to vent to God about the person. I started praying for them things like, “God, you show them what you think!” “Show them how wrong they are… convict them!” But gently the Lord spoke to me to really pray for them, to pray the hardest things for me to pray and pray for their best interest. I didn’t want to pray for their good, I wanted God to get em! But eventually I did, not because I felt like it, but out of obedience. As I kept praying for this person and for God to give them an incredible ministry someday and other super hard things for me to pray, a crazy thing happened. My heart softened. The anger subsided and I was able to forgive them, even when the person didn’t ask for it. The next week this person actually said they were sorry.

4. Sort out good and bad. Dr. Henry Cloud wrote a great book called Changes that Heal that describes this really well. Basically it says we have a tendency to think in terms of all good or all bad. If we like something or someone we lean toward thinking it (or they) are all good and can do no wrong. Or if we don’t like something we tend to think nothing good could come from it. When we receive criticism we need to process with the Lord what’s good and true about what is being said and be able to separate that from what is not true.

5. Seek to understand even when people don't seek to understand you. Let's face it, trying to seek to understand where someone else is coming from sucks when they could care less to seek to understand you. But just because something doesn't feel good, that doesn't mean we don't do it. Sometimes the right thing is the hardest thing. And more and more I'm convinced that when we seek to understand, the ability to make peace is soooo much easier and the problem is quicker to get resolved.

6. Communicate. When we (or others) are criticized we need to communicate in a healthy way about the issue. We need to stick to one issue, share what we heard (or think we heard), what we felt and thought about it, our desires and what we’d like to see happen in the future. Here’s a great tool to help with this process. 

(It is also very helpful to ask questions and reword what you think someone is saying to help clarify what you think someone is saying because the majority of conflicts are a result of miscommunication.)

7. Remember what’s true about you and “them”. We fail. And if you're anything like me, it's easy to demand mercy for our mistakes yet justice and wrath for others, forgetting that Jesus died for their mistakes too. If you put your trust in Christ, see yourself the way the Father sees you-through Jesus' perfection. We don't need to demand perfection from others (or them from us) because Jesus was our perfection. We are all at the same place, the foot of the cross, clinging to the righteousness of Christ credited to our account. When another believer is adamant on showing how you haven't measured up to their level of perfection you can let it go. It's true. You and I and "them" haven't measured up and that's why we need Jesus. Lean into that friend. You and me and them are all desperately dependent on Jesus.


​Please don't give up friend. Please don't throw in the towel because someone has wronged you. God wants to show Himself great through you and in you and even in your situation.

​Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?...
 
The one thing I ask of the Lord--
the thing I seek most--
is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,
delighting in the Lord’s perfections
so why should I be afraid?

Do not let me fall into their hands.
For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;
with every breath they threaten me...

Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness
while I am here in the land of the living.
Wait (endure) patiently for the Lord.
Be brave and courageous.
Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

You might also enjoy:
​5 Keys to an Unoffendable Heart
​The Top 10 Challenges to Being an Emotionally Healthy Leader

​​​Laura, the founder of Missional Women is married and has six kids, two of whom are adopted. Laura and her husband have been missionaries since 2002 and serve with Master Plan Ministries where she is the Women's Development Coordinator. Laura has authored 5 books, including an award winning 12 week Bible Study on First Samuel, Beholding Him, Becoming Missional, Reach; How to Use Your Social Media Influence for the Glory of God, A Devotional Journey through Judges, and Discover God's Calling for Your Life. Most recently her resource for Bible studies, The Connect Cards was released by Cru Press. You can find her on facebook, twitter, pinterest, youtube, instagram, periscope, blab and her author site.

Since the beginning of this year, I feel like God has been opening up my eyes to the evil in this world. Humanity has done very little to make this earth a beautiful place!! Lately God is opening my eyes wider to the brokenness in the body of Christ. I love The Church, the bride of Christ! But it hurts to see that body treat each other so poorly!! Between sermons I have heard and the interactions I have had with some people, I am seeing how broken we are and not following Jesus in dealing with each other.


SIN IS RAMPANT!! Today I’m sitting down to write something very gospel-centered and I keep having these hurts from people pop into my mind. I don’t hate these people who irritated or hurt me, and I truly believe I have responded with grace and truth. But fear wants so desperately to creep in to keep me from sharing truth with others! Fear grips me out of nowhere and makes me overthink my decisions to even post the good news of Jesus on social media. Sin is raging in this world, and I am a contributor to it!


I have moments of sadness, feeling the injustice of this world hang on me like a backpack of rocks! Who will stand up for me? Who will come alongside and defend truth with me? Who is out there sharing the good news of Jesus? Who will clear my name for me when I look like I am in the wrong?
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Then Jesus shows me a picture of heaven, and I can’t help but tear up and praise Him!! In Heaven all wrongs will be righted! In Heaven those who have judged me incorrectly will be shown the truth! In Heaven God will show ME how I have wronged others and have judged incorrectly!!! Oh what a glorious day!!


He expands my thoughts to the broken and ugly relationships I have seen in my lifetime. The voids between those people who are Christians will be filled by the grace and truth of Jesus! All those ugly words said in front and behind people’s back will be covered by the grace and truth of Jesus!! The church splits, the horrible fall outs between friends, the despicable sin that tainted family dynamics – in light of Jesus they all seen in their FULL TRUTH, we will be humbled to our knees, and with sober minds and joyful hearts we will be able to interact in a new way that has never been seen before!! Oh Jesus, come quickly!!


In light of Heaven, I change the way I pray and the way I interact with others. Precious child of Jesus, I am far from perfect in how I deal with people nor do I think that how I do communicate or interact with others now better than others! BUT, in light of Heaven, I can’t help but change because if it’s not going to be like this forever then I want to function that works best for eternity without sin then dig my feet deeper into the sin that can easily dominate the life around me!


Dear Lord Jesus, PLEASE COME SOON!! I am so desperate to see you face to face, and to live life without sin hindering my thoughts, attitudes and actions!! Until then, change MY heart for the people around me. Help me to pray and respond how YOU want me to pray and react to the people I come in contact with. Help me to be bold to share the gospel! Thank you for giving me Your Holy Spirit so the impossible can be done!! The world is getting darker, but You shine brighter. Help my eyes be fixed on you and not on the sin around me. Thank you for bringing me one day closer to seeing you face to face!!

​Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. 

Because of what Christ did on the cross, death has lost it’s sting as He conquered the grave. But He also sacrificed. Not just that he did this glorious thing, but the mere fact that every part of his life was messy and complicated in our worldly view. Aspects like being born in a barn to a young mom, or the complications of being baptized by a mere man (can you imagine the church committee meeting that would happen nowadays deciding who would baptize Jesus?), but what really stood out this year was Jesus washing the disciples feet. In John 13 it says:

“1 It was just before the Passover Festival. Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.”
“6 He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, ‘Lord, are you going to wash my feet?’ 7 Jesus replied, ‘You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.’ 8 ‘No,’ said Peter, ‘you shall never wash my feet.’ Jesus answered, ‘Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.’ 9 ‘Then, Lord,’ Simon Peter replied, ‘not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!’

It is so easy for us to get into this mindset that if something is messy or hard, then it is not from God. But this story is a prime example of who we are in Christ. We are called to get down and wash the feet of the dirtiest of the dirty. This aspect of Christ’s life is not mentioned so that we may boast in his glory, but rather that we would see his glory through his ultimate humility. What Christ is doing is showing the disciples, and us, that following him means sacrificing ourselves in the same way Christ sacrificed everything for us.

“12 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. ‘Do you understand what I have done for you?’ he asked them. 13 ‘You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16 Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17 Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.”

Do you realize that Jesus washed Judas’ feet too? The same Judas who Jesus knew had betrayed him in the most gruesome and diabolical way. Why do we not wash the feet of our enemies? Why do we decide who is worthy of the Gospel? Christ shows us in this story that everyone is a part of what he did on that cross. Christ served his greatest enemy, not because he needed to, but because he overcame sin to love the unlovable. He knew what Judas did, he wasn’t blind to what the things Judas set in motion would mean to him; but instead he served the unworthy. What a beautiful example of a sacrificial and unchanging love.

Ask yourself; would you wash the feet of the Judas of your life? What are we willing to sacrifice so others may know the glory that is the Gospel? Our pride? Our dignity? Our comfort? Would we sacrifice anything? If we say no to that, then we must reexamine if we are truly living as Christ did.

Kaylee is raising support to be on staff with Master Plan Ministries in Denver, Co with her wonderful husband, Patrick. She loves starring life with her only daughter, Shiloh. She enjoys photography, movies, frisbee golf and anything that has to do with people! If you would like to learn more about Kaylee and her husband's journey into full time ministry read about it right here. 

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