Behind the Ocean Scene

While the island and ocean here in Barbados is magnificent…what is really amazing to me is the community I have seen among these people I have met. In true community, real connection happens. There is something that is the common denominator that is known among the community; sometimes spoken and sometimes it doesn’t even need to be spoken. It is felt and experienced. A miracle happens when that same common denominator exists within me and I fly thousands of miles across the ocean and join in with this other community finding that we are one in thought, belief and conviction. Maybe it shouldn’t be so unbelievable. Why am I so surprised? God is the Creator and the Sustainer of all things. He has sent His Son, Jesus to rescue us all from the bondage and principles of this present world. That means you and me who live in North and South Carolina as well as His people on a small island called Barbados. This rescue is such a beautiful miracle of grace and all who participate in it are children of a new family – the family of Christ. We are related….we have One major thing in common and from that centre we connect….we have community.

So, wouldn’t it make sense to continue to build that community? Build it first by hearing one another, getting to know one another. We all desire to be known and to know others. It takes honesty, the willingness to become vulnerable with one another and a trust that is ultimately in God. Then as we listen, both to the family members around us and to the voice of the Holy Spirit within, we share with one another. There is little need for us to try to “fix one another”, rather to share truth that penetrates the deepest part of our soul. As I sat with a group of singles last night and heard their stories and struggles, I heard the Spirit inside me say, “Remind them of their adoption.” I could hear as I listened that their focus had shifted from their identity in Jesus to their present circumstances, each one different from the other. I gently reminded them that Jesus has told us we have been chosen and adopted. We are no longer slaves, but sons…and if sons, heirs. (Gal. 4:7)
I knew this was something that would penetrate their soul, because we all need reminding of the truth of the gospel – the truth of who we really are in spite of our individual circumstances and struggles. We all go quickly back to relating to God and within ourselves and others from a slave-like mentality, instead of that as an adopted son. Jesus has promised He would never leave us as orphans. I choose in the midst of community in that moment to receive the truth again and believe it. One of the ladies, Wendy, left saying she had a new perspective to take with her on a business trip the next day. Wow!

Community….connecting on a level that is much deeper than anything superficial….and real freedom and renewed hope happens. That is happening as I enter into life here in Barbados with people that I have never met before. So, with the magnificent shades of blue in the ocean as the backdrop, the real miracle happening before my eyes is something I cannot capture in a snapshot. So, I wanted to tell you about it so that you could know beyond the surface of the gorgeous picture what is really going on.