Trading our Sorrows, by Pastor Don Barnett, Faith UMC, Pinson, AL. Did you experience what I did in worship this Sunday? There was such a tremendous flow of the Holy Spirit poured out upon the church this weekend that I can’t even begin to comprehend it. A huge burden was lifted at the beginning of the service and God just kept pouring out his love and joy into hearts. The testimonies that were shared were such true expressions of what God can do when we willingly seek His forgiveness and healing in our lives. We only have Christ to thank for this, and His servants – the Proactive Evangelism Ministries team - who risked being Christ’s instruments to begin healing our congregation. As the Proactive Evangelism Ministries team came to give direction to our Leadership Retreat this weekend, I did not really know what to expect. The tension was high and I didn’t know what would happen. But we all knew if healing was to take place, we had to be genuine and get everything out on the table. Saturday was quite painful as we listened to many frustrations, hurts, and anger that have festered in our hearts and deeply affected our relationships. All we could do was listen and pray for ourselves and each another. As we gathered around one another, we humbled ourselves in praying for forgiveness and strength to forgive and release the pain. Many tears flowed and many hugs were exchanged. The healing was beginning. However, when I went home Saturday, it seemed like a dream. Was it really happening? What would tomorrow be like as we came together again to worship? Would anything be different? We gathered Sunday morning for a teaching on forgiveness led by Lynne Capes. Lynne gave an excellent teaching on forgiveness, yet this was not her main purpose with us. Little by little, It became clear to me that Lynne’s purpose was to show the deep compassion and heart of Jesus in our midst . Her heart broke for us. As she prayed and shed tears for us, I could see the tears of Jesus and his heart breaking for us. She brought an awareness to me of the great pain we had not only brought to one another, but to Jesus and His Body. As we came into worship singing “I’m trading my sorrows…. I’m trading my pain, I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord” I looked up at the cross, burdened with that pain in my heart. But suddenly, I felt that surge of joy that swept through the congregation. It was happening. The pain was being released! Jesus invited us to trade the pain…just as He had… for joy! His forgiveness is real. His healing came as we lay it all down. His joy is still lifting my heart today! As I expressed Sunday, I ask Jesus and the congregation at Faith U.M.C. for your forgiveness. I am truly sorrow for any pain I have caused. I ask for your prayers and patience as I seek to be your pastor. Please pray for me and my family as we pray for each of you. As Jabez prayed, so I pray for myself and our church: “Oh that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain (I Chronicles 4:10). Lord, continue to heal our pain and any pain we have caused to one another. Continue to give us the strength of your love and forgiveness for each other. Thank you for the joy of healing by your grace. Help us to be long-suffering for you and patient with one another, that we may truly be examples of your compassion to others. In the name of Jesus, Amen. Find out more about our ministries
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