The last few months I’ve spent a substantial amount of time reflecting upon a “yes” decision that I made years ago and the ensuing ripple effect. Without going into all the particulars, I think it’s fair to say that my “yes” was instrumental in changing the trajectory of my life and those around me.
For most of my life I’ve formed ideas in pictures. This one choice reminds me of a stone dropped in water or waves off the wake of a boat that keeps rolling until landing upon the shore. Waves of reconciliation, healing, new life, opportunity, relationships, and destiny. In all honesty, without certain others in my life, I can confidently share my “yes” would have been a “no”, without a doubt. I firmly believe God brings people into our lives to share His wisdom and offer protection. The choice is ours whether or not we choose to trust God and receive such a gift.
Last year I had the opportunity to co-lead a 9-month group discipleship initiative, the Trueface Journey. The Trueface Journey is a group for men and women to experience a deep and meaningful faith walk with others in a Christ-formed community. It is a nine-month experience to explore what trusting God, others, and ourselves could look like. The hope is for participants to become more fully known, see God and themselves more clearly, experience the transforming love of Jesus, and be equipped to lead others to do the same.
Out of my “yes” doors have opened throughout my life to invite others to join me in experiencing the ripple effect of God’s grace…something I hope to do until I reach the shore of my time on earth. Below is a sweet story from my friend Anna, who said “yes” to join our Trueface Journey group last spring.
Can you identify the ripple effects?
Why wasn’t this taught to me sooner? How could the church have missed this important message? How many more lives could have been changed sooner? How many more people would have flocked to Jesus had they learned the real good news? All of these questions swirl in my mind!
What an amazing experience it has been for me to go through the Trueface Journey together in community. What seemed like a scary proposition to be vulnerable with these strangers has turned into a place of refuge. A place to experience true freedom without condemnation.
In the beginning of the journey, we dove into what it looks like to be emotionally healthy. It’s hard to be spiritually healthy when you don’t even know yourself; figuring out you, your past and your present. The later half of the journey looks into learning truths about who God is and what His promises are for your life. When you finally realize you've been living your life according to shame, according to lies, according to good intentions, according to what your childhood pastor taught you, according to everything but WHAT Jesus tells you and shows you in the New Testament, you start to come alive! God has awakened me to the truth of his overwhelming grace that abounds in limitless freedom. I am no longer a prisoner who is unaware I was being held captive by false narratives. I finally know the whole truth and I am letting it set me free! I want to share this with anyone who will listen! I want to shout this from the mountaintops! Allow God to reveal to you what you already have access to through Jesus Christ. Do not fear, take the journey!
If you want to learn more about starting your own Trueface Journey group, visit https://www.trueface.org/truefacejourney or email monique@trueface.org.
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