Hi my friends!
December is a celebration’s month. But for me, it is meaningful. It was my birthday (Dec 14th) followed by Christmas and New Year! And because some of them are related to cycles of my life, December is always a month of reflection to me.
I did a retrospective of the year of life that the Lord gave me. My friends, what a year! A year full of challenges. I imagine the Lord saying: “This year I want Mariana getting mature”. As many of you may already know, growing up hurts. It has been a painful year for me in all areas of my life, but at the same time I am filled with gratitude. I read some verses (5 to 12) in chapter 12 of Hebrews, as follow:
And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? If you are not disciplined —and everyone undergoes discipline —then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.
I am so grateful for the growth the Lord has given me. I struggled with Him many times asking why is it happening to me while others are fine? And at the end of this year, while I was reading that passage, I asked Him: Why do you allow us to go through times of discipline? And he answered me: Have you ever grown up or learned anything at ease?
Of course, I didn’t grow up during easy situations. And I realized that he sees my potential and he wants me growing. I am a beloved and legitimate daughter! And when I look back, I realize that all the challenging situations this year really made me grow and mature, and they are certainly serving as a witness to the people around me. So, I celebrate my relationship with the Father!
And in this rhythm of gratitude and joy that I will talk about what happened in my ISEED training this December.
- Inner healing class
We had the last class and I particularly wanted more! I learned a lot on this path, but mainly to observe if my thoughts and beliefs are in accordance with God’s truth.
The inner healing class has already borne fruit. I shared what I was learning with a friend, and it can lead to healing in her life. I am glad to be used by God!
- Bible discussion
Our Bible study began at the Sulcs’ church. My birthday and Fernanda’s birthday (photo below) were celebrated in one of our meetings, and the Lord has glorified His name through Mark’s life. The man has been and is still undergoing radiation therapy along with chemotherapy and it doesn’t look like it. The Lord has given Mark strength and health to get through this. And what is most impressive is his optimism that is contagious to everyone. I believe his testimony has impacted everyone in the group.
- Book reading
We started reading the book “The Master Plan of Evangelism”. The book tells how Jesus approached evangelism and discipleship with his disciples, and advise us how we should follow the Master’s example. The part that most impressed me was the Chapter 7. I understood that Jesus did not expect great performance from his disciples. He expected everyone to do their best. As they learned and got mature, they were ready for more learning, always growing.
- Masterlife class
We have finished Book 2 – The Disciple’s Personality. A question was raised in one of our classes that has everything to do with my challenging year. A colleague asked: Do you miss anything you did before accepting Jesus? I realized that I wouldn’t trade my Jesus for anything. The life with Him is full of challenges, but my relationship with Him and His daily presence is priceless.
- Events
We attended the Vision Conference from December 28th to 31st. The event was in Baltimore, but my husband and I were unable to attend. We caught Covid on Christmas Eve. The good news is that the event was also online, and we participated between a fever and a cough!
We could watch the in-person lectures and interact with people through a family group. There were two presentations that impacted me. The first was about the feeling of belonging. The lecture said that we are always looking for belonging. And this hole of our hearts is fulfilled with presence of God. We belong to Him.
I was still processing the first lecture when I watched a testimony. The girl came from an Islamic family. She knew Jesus was real, but she was struggling about following Him, because she knew she would have trouble with her family. But she decided for Jesus, which changed her life and her relationship with her family.
There it goes a testimony! I was struggling with questions about belonging to my natural family. I was feeling like a victim of my story and how pitiful I was. What I realized after watching the talks is that I made a decision when I chose to follow Jesus. There is a verse in 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “So if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, new things are made.” I realized that my past is behind me. Christ paid with his blood a new life for me. I can’t hold on to the past. I must let go all the trash bags of pain, bitterness and unforgiveness, and move on to what Jesus has for me. I prayed giving up and throwing away the trash bags I was carrying. I want the new from the Lord.
Well folks, December was not full of training activities as the earlier months, but it was a month full of reflection! I am excited for 2022. The main message for this year is do your best.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. Colossians 3:23
I hope to see you next month! May God bless you!