Sharing Transparency

By Gail Seward

When I came to Central Presbyterian Church as a baby Christian, I was in for a marvelous surprise. As a new believer I was so hungry to live the life God wanted me to live that I was listening to every program broadcast on Christian radio, reading every book I could find, and becoming more confused each day. The surprise I was to receive came through attending women's groups at Central.

I remember going to my first meeting of one of these groups with fear and trembling. It seemed everyone at this church was so "mature" in the Lord. I was scared to death to talk (and for those of you who don't know me you should know that I am never the quiet member at any function). I tried to be as invisible as possible and just listen. I found that was almost impossible. People shared with one another, then prayed, weeping with those who were hurting and rejoicing with those who were rejoicing. It was a totally new experience for me to see this kind of love in a church group. God was beginning to guide me by showing me what it means to truly love like he does.

During the first period of the meeting the group collected money for the people in their midst who where hurting and for those in the world who had less than them. You were told to give only if you wanted to give. Though this experience God was beginning to guide me in being a good steward with my money, giving both to the church and to those in need beyond our walls.

We then studied God's Word. I was amazed and all were blessed as a variety of women responded to what we were studying. I even got up enough nerve to share one thing I had learned. Afterwards a doctor in the group came to me and told me how what I had shared had helped her. I was floored. Being fairly young, I thought she must have been following Christ since a couple years after the disciples died. I realized that God uses his word to guide us through his Holy Spirit. He does this when we read his word, no matter how long we have been digging into this book of gold.

Since that experience, I have been in several women's studies over the years. I have learned to pray regularly, study the Bible, minister, and be ministered to by others. God has guided me through meeting with other women who long after Jesus and continue to follow him no matter how tough the path may get. This is what faith is all about.

I encourage you to take advantage of one of the numerous opportunities to be blessed by fellowship with other people that are offered in our church and let God guide you deeper and deeper in your walk with him.

(See also this week's sermon: Friendship and Intimacy)