Community: Cherish

This month we asked a few of our sisters here at Bayou City Fellowship to share how God has drawn them into community and how it changed their life. If you have ever felt out of place or disconnected, whether at church, or home, or just in life, we pray this series encourages you. You’re not alone, you are loved, and you have a place. You can check out our previous post in this series here: Cody & Judy. 

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me… (Psalm 23:4a KJV)

Loneliness is like living in the valley of the shadow of death, in a deep dark damp pit. You feel as if you are not seen, you are not heard, and you have been forgotten. It is the place where you feel worthless and abandoned and are left with the deepest of longings. Loneliness is paralyzing, and loneliness is a powerful tool in the hands of the enemy who seeks to enslave you to that place. Our hearts long to be known, and souls are made to be known. You and I are made for relationship, and whether you are extrovert or introvert you are worth knowing.

I want to say, dear friend, that I am sorry beyond measure if you find yourself in this place, in the pit of darkness. I have been where you find yourself. I have felt the suffocating darkness of loneliness. I have wept tears of sorrow begging heaven for mercy. I have been enslaved to the lies of the enemy for decades of my life. I have wrestled Satan and my Savior over my worth. I have denied the truth of God’s word and the declarations that he makes over who I am and believed the lies of the devil. The darkness nearly took all that I have, and it nearly took my life, but God in his great mercy broke forth and set this girl free.

So, dear friend, if you sit in a place that is deep, dark, and damp, if you feel like you are unseen, unheard, and forgotten, if your deepest desire and longing is to be known and to know, then let me let you in on something…the God of all creation, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Jehovah, Goel, Lover of your soul, and Savior of the World hears you, sees you, and calls you FREE!!! That pit you find yourself in today is no longer your residence for you, sister, are called Daughter of the Most High God, a Lioness of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, a Princess of the King of Kings, Daughter of the Lord of Lord, Child of Jehovah, Redeemed by our great Redeemer, and loved so much that he sent his son to die for your freedom.

So look up. Because the Great Shepherd has come and with an open hand is waiting to pull you up and loose you out of that pit, to set your feet on solid ground, and lead you. So what doth the Lord require of you? What do you need to do to be known and to know? How do we have community? That first starts with communing with the Savior, your Abba Father, the one who removes your shame and gives you a new name, the one who has always seen you, heard you, and known you.

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need.
He lets me rest in green meadows;
he leads me beside peaceful streams.
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
bringing honor to his name.
Even when I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid,
for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
protect and comfort me.
You prepare a feast for me
in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
My cup overflows with blessings.
Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23 (NLT)

– Cherish