At the death of our Chief Apostle, Bishop Marion E. Johnson in June of this year, and the dissolution of Same Like Faith Family Christrian Center Church, Inc. in September 2022, many of the former church leaders found themselves in a perplexed state of mind. What do we do? Where do we go?
Many of the young adults who were born into and grew to adulthood under that ministry found themselves in a vacuum. Not knowing where to turn for the fellowship and ministry opportunities that they were involved in so deeply as a part of the now-dissolved church.
But, knowing that it is impossible for God to make mistakes, the realization came that this difficult time is/was actually a time of pruning. A time of reconnecting with God in an unobstructed way.
There is no longer a shepherd to hide behind, to blame, or who will take up our slack. There is no longer a leader who stands out in front to take the blows of persecution, or to defend our righteousness. This unfortunate time, which is still difficult to grasp completely, is of the Lord.
He, Jesus IS GOD, and there is none beside Him. This is the Lord's doing.
This untimely death, this untimely scattering is an opportunity, no, a mandate for those of us who were connected to look into our souls. To examine our relationship with God.
Who were we serving near the end of her life? Had we slipped into the mire of idolatry? Had we misplaced our worship and just begun to "do church". Had we forgotten to do what 1 Corinthians 11:28 tells us to do, "but let a man examine himself..."
What strifes, what unforgiveness were we nurturing and not acknowledging because we were busy with ministry? What family was neglected, and, how much selfishness were we demonstrating under the guise of the illusion of spiritual security... in other words, how much mess were we allowing to go unchecked in our lives? How much sin were we walking in but dismissing by saying, "Oh, God understands. It will be alright."
No, my brother and my sister, this event in our lives, this death and loss of our church routine, is an opportunity to clarify, deepen, and become secure in our personal relationship with the Lord.
This is a time to revisit our first love and a time to rekindle the passion we once held for His Word. This a time to repent and ask God to show us ourselves. This is a time to give it all up no matter what it is.
Many of the young adults who were born into and grew to adulthood under that ministry found themselves in a vacuum. Not knowing where to turn for the fellowship and ministry opportunities that they were involved in so deeply as a part of the now-dissolved church.
But, knowing that it is impossible for God to make mistakes, the realization came that this difficult time is/was actually a time of pruning. A time of reconnecting with God in an unobstructed way.
There is no longer a shepherd to hide behind, to blame, or who will take up our slack. There is no longer a leader who stands out in front to take the blows of persecution, or to defend our righteousness. This unfortunate time, which is still difficult to grasp completely, is of the Lord.
He, Jesus IS GOD, and there is none beside Him. This is the Lord's doing.
This untimely death, this untimely scattering is an opportunity, no, a mandate for those of us who were connected to look into our souls. To examine our relationship with God.
Who were we serving near the end of her life? Had we slipped into the mire of idolatry? Had we misplaced our worship and just begun to "do church". Had we forgotten to do what 1 Corinthians 11:28 tells us to do, "but let a man examine himself..."
What strifes, what unforgiveness were we nurturing and not acknowledging because we were busy with ministry? What family was neglected, and, how much selfishness were we demonstrating under the guise of the illusion of spiritual security... in other words, how much mess were we allowing to go unchecked in our lives? How much sin were we walking in but dismissing by saying, "Oh, God understands. It will be alright."
No, my brother and my sister, this event in our lives, this death and loss of our church routine, is an opportunity to clarify, deepen, and become secure in our personal relationship with the Lord.
This is a time to revisit our first love and a time to rekindle the passion we once held for His Word. This a time to repent and ask God to show us ourselves. This is a time to give it all up no matter what it is.
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