By Mildred Gerner
The world is bursting at the seams with rampant upheaval. We face a trifecta of turning-points. The COVID-19 pandemic, global economic recession, and worldwide awakening to systemic injustices suffered for centuries by racial minorities in America. This calamitous cultural moment begs not our pardon for its disruption, but our dedication to efforts toward healing and renewal. Somethins’ gotta change.
While unable to control what’s happening all around us, we must assess its effect on us. How do you feel about your life right now? How would you describe the severity of your past and present life experiences? Are you open to healing and change? Are you willing to surrender to The Anointed One, Jesus? No more than a zebra can change its stripes are we able to save, heal or change ourselves. We need Someone far beyond us to burst onto the scene. Someone with fierce, unparalleled power to reconcile what’s wrecked in our world. We need the finished work of Christ on the cross and everlasting counsel of the Holy Spirit to navigate these storms.
According to Genesis 1:27, humans are all created in the image of God. Nothing else is created in God’s image, only humans. We are the crown jewel, apple of His eye, formed to mirror God’s beauty into all the earth. Yet sin shattered us … as individuals and societies. The good news is that divine purposes for us would not be thwarted; we have this redemptive hope:
“All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ. 4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.” Eph 1:3-4
Holy functioning restores our God-image. We receive what’s given freely us in Christ – righteousness, love, forgiveness, new life, etc. And we develop the capacities to live and love as Christ does. Capacities and capabilities like, 1) Relational connection – ability to lovingly bond with others. 2) Boundaries – ability to be separate from others. 3) Processing Pain – ability to sort out the good and bad and deal with it. 4) Maturity – ability to become competent adults.
Beginning Wed. July 8, The Core-Omaha will be offering a 7-part teaching and discussion series called Churches That Heal, based on the book by Dr. Henry Cloud, Changes That Heal. The trifecta of turning-points we face in our world today extend divine invitations to lament and repent. We’re destined to be people who mirror God’s image and reflect His praise in a world of upheaval. We are called to be a church that people will run to and not away from. This will happen as we gather in community to courageously examine ourselves and commit to practicing what we learn in the Word of God. At the nexus of grace and truth working within us, over time, transformation emerges. So please consider joining us! Be on the lookout for upcoming registration details. Cause somethins’ gotta change; and change begins in the heart.
