Decorating trees, exchanging presents, having meals together, helping those in need, soaking in the colorful street lights are all outward signs of joy and celebration. These beautiful images naturally delight our hearts. It’s what we all long for. Yet it can also stir the reality of sadness, loneliness, grief and a host of other unpleasant emotions telling us that there is nothing to celebrate. Things are out of whack in the world! Seriously! Is God out of touch with reality? There is no joy to the world. Look around us!
The wonderful truth is God does lives in the same reality. He is also grieved by the corrupt and violent ways of our world (Ge. 6:5-6). God rides through the same emotional rollercoaster of ups and downs. How does he manage it? How has Christmas brought joy to the world? It’s been over 2000 years!
The Great Emotional Rollercoaster
GOD RIDES THE ROLLERCOASTER
God was deep in grief with a huge bag of conflicting emotions. He felt so terrible for the way life is turning out for us. He felt sorry for creating us and giving us life. He was so frustrated and disappointed that he wanted to get rid of what he created. We’ve all felt these moments of giving up when things don’t go the way we wanted. This was not the way of life Elohim designed for us. What he created was actually very good in his own assessment. God’s emotional response tells us that compassionate love is not necessarily sweet, warm and fuzzy. It can be very discouraging and painful. Yet God held on with tough love and justice. He also felt joy as he acknowledges once again the human capacity to be resilient in love, be agents of healing and restore just ways of life. It’s in our spiritual DNA. In reclaiming faith in us, he came into our world to help us live differently. Christmas is God’s empowering presence nudging us to live for restorative justice. He entrusts us to be messengers of his living hope for inward and outward transformation. That’s the message of joy to the world! Even Jesus said “I must be about my Father’s house/business” (Lk 2:49). He must operate out of the place God operates out of.
1) What has your emotional coaster been like?
2) Which emotions of God mentioned above can you relate to?
3) In what ways being in touch with our emotions helpful to us?
4) How are you discovering more of your true self (spiritual DNA)?
We were reminded this month at our celebration service that GAF is answering God’s invitation (Reclaiming Faith) to be on mission for social solidarity and live the way God hotwired us to live. This means that we need to discover and be our true selves (Justice Within). Our spiritual DNA tells us that we have the capacity to restore relational well-being (Collective Liberation).
Here is a picture of what social solidarity looks like in Acts 4:32-37.
All IN: All hands on deck. They were one in heart and mind
NO HOARDING: No one claimed personal possession of assets
WILLINGNESS: Gave out of their own will
TRUSTED SYSTEM: Donated to the apostles
JUST SYSTEM: The Apostles distributed according to need
COMMUNITY MINDED: Shared everything they had
SPIRIT-FILLED: Continued to share the good news of the risen Lord
GRACE FILLED: Transformed, enabled by grace
NO POVERTY: No one was in need
SAFETY: There is a sense of security balanced with public safety
This sounds ideal but is actually doable. This is what life can be like if we can be our true selves. We have this capacity built within us. We’ve been stumped for too long by the world’s standards and unkindness. Yes, it will be a long tough road. As Jesus was being crucified by the people, he prayed ‘Father forgive them, they don’t know what they are doing.’ At least we know what we are called to do. Thank you, Jesus! for your empowering presence! God will affirm us, “You did great. Come and rest.”
Which one or two of these 10 areas would you…
Like to see what happens in your social circles of influence? Commit to praying for this
Like to focus and develop in your own life? Create an action plan where you can tap into this capacity with Jesus’s help. Find a community that will rally for you and cheers you on.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Thank you GAF for your generosity donating treats, spending time packing them into goodie bags, spending time door knocking, caroling and bringing joy and hope to the tenants. The tenants were very touched by our kind gesture. One tenant even gave out homemade candles to those who came and sang. Thank you Jesus for warming out hearts when the weather was freezingly cold.
Happy New Year
Looking forward to growing with you all in 2023! May we rally and cheer each other on! May God be your constant companion walking you through your rollercoaster in 2023 and discover more of you, Elohim and the difference you are making in life
COMING IN JANUARY
Monthly Celebration Services are 1st Sundays of each month (Hybrid)
Sunday, 12/4, 11AM - 12:30AM @ 21 Pell street 4th floor. | ZOOM Link | Meeting ID: 327 601 274 | Password: 429125 | In-Person - 21 Pell Street 4th floor (ring bell)
We gather monthly to celebrate the wonders of God’s love poured out to us. Life can get so messy, that these celebrations nourish a healthy mindset of gratitude that energizes us.
JOG (Journey of Grace) Small Group (Hybrid)
All other Sundays • 11AM - 12:30PM | ZOOM Link | Meeting ID: 327 601 274 | Password: 429125 | In-Person - 21 Pell Street 4th floor (ring bell)
Join us for a time of community soul care. Here you will find a safe space to reflect, listen for God’s voice, and journal. We tell our stories and listen to each others’ stories so that we can learn and journey together. We were not meant to journey alone.
For other activities like prayer/bible study/DLT please reach out to us at Gracealivefellowship@gmail.com or click button below.
Offering / Donations!
We currently allocate 90% of tithes towards our staff stipend and 10% towards an organization supporting our community during this time.
Your donation is tax-deductible. For administrative purposes, please fill out this Google Form each time you donate to GAF.
Donate via ACH/Wire: Use Account #: 875101564230; ABA #: 031101169; Alternative ABA #: 031101279 (ACH payments only).
Donate via Check: Make checks payable to Grace Alive Fellowship. Mail your donation to Manni Lee, 275 South Street, Apt 19D, New York, NY 10002.