Lenten Reader | Day 26

When I started coming to First Wesleyan, I found a new group of friends who became like family to fellowship with. It was then that I started to see fellowship in a different way. It looked more like sharing God’s love with those close to me but also those who were strangers. I learned my most important fellowship starts with God. I became involved in life groups and a women’s Bible study on Tuesday nights that included women of all ages, races, and different churches. We share a lot of life together – good and bad.

That Bible study group has changed many times, people have come and gone, we have taken breaks, but the importance of gathering together and sharing life has not changed. At the end of each study, we try to do a “treasure hunt.” We get together and pray and ask God for clues on who He wants us to meet and where He wants us to go. Once we get our clues, we set out about town and find our “treasure.” We have met people who are walking in darkness and shame, people who are ready to take their own lives, depressed and anxiety filled people. We are often as blessed or even more blessed than the “treasures” we find. And although we are fellowshipping with complete strangers, they are NOT strangers to God.

I have also become involved in Kairos Prison Ministry. The ladies on the inside often describe us as their light in darkness. Fellowship with them is good for the soul. Watching ladies in bondage become free because of the love of Jesus humbles my heart. Seeing them when they walk in the first day and then seeing them walking with God by the end of the weekend, all I can say is WOW!

The most important thing I want you to know in all of this is that fellowship with God leads to fellowship with others and fellowship with others leads to blessings beyond measure!

Carrie North