Author: Gwenda Coté (page 23)

If we ask, God will fill in us what we cannot fill in ourselves. God will forgive what we can’t forgive and heal the hurt in us that we cannot release.

After we have heard the Word of God and accepted it, we need to become the sower and go out and share it.

It is simple and naïve, but I wonder what kind of conversations would happen in Washington and state capitals if we changed the first questions. If we asked, “What would Jesus do?” and “What decision will bring us closer to building the Kingdom of God among us.”

The thought of it is actually both humorous and hopeful. We are the motley crowd of God, and that is just the way He wants it.

It may have taken a step or two for Thomas to get there, but when he recognized Jesus, his doubt vanished. He didn’t only see Jesus risen from the dead. He saw God.

Our forgiveness of one another has power. It has the power of the mercy of God. Jesus gave us that power.

Together we must bang on the doors of heaven, asking God to come and infuse us with His Spirit so that we will know what to do and how to get through this mess together.

Imagine a world where love came first before power, wealth, control, judgment, and hate. Try to imagine a world where Jesus was the model for how we interact with one another.

The words we speak are an expression of confidence in the loving, compassionate, and healing power of Jesus personally for us.

The leprosy stigma did not end with the community’s condemnation. The leper, him/herself, felt the pain of their unworthiness to be around people.