Lessons Learned from My Sickness – Part 5: The Blessing of a Loving Community
By Pastor Ronny Luces
St. Paul was able to survive the most critical moments of his life and ministry by the empowering communities he established and nurtured in many places he served.
He was able to meet and know many people who became true friends, caring brethren, and loyal fellow servants of Christ.
And so when he was in prison, when he was sick, when his life was threatened, he was able to come out strong through the supportive presence and generosity of these friends, church people, and colleagues in the ministry.
I was greatly blessed by God to have experienced first hand what Paul had also gone through.
From past to present, people I’ve known from near and far, from familiar to intimate, made their loving presence known – when I was at my lowest moment!
They came to visit, to pray, to cry, to hug, to comfort, to inspire, to give their resources, to listen, to share their time, and to make me strong in their embrace.
They came to assure me – that I am not alone.
Dearly beloved, let me urge you to belong to such a loving and nurturing community.
Look for true friends, loyal brothers, and sisters in the faith who will not abandon you in your most trying times.
I’m blessed by God because he has placed me in the warm embrace of this loving community of faith.
Posted on FB: 3 March 2015 – 2:53 PM
About the Author
Rev. Ronny Luces was the Minister for Administration and Community Service of the Jaro Evangelical Church (JEC), Iloilo City, Philipines. He and his wife, Martha have been with JEC’s ministry since 1994.
Pastor Ronny graduated from Central Philippine University College of Theology in 1985 and was pastor of several Baptist churches.
In January 2015, after tests and two long hospital confinements, Pastor Ronny got the word he had lung cancer. He underwent chemotherapy.
Praying for healing and going through all the medical processes, Pastor Ronny wrote his reflections “Lessons Learned from My Sickness”. In July 2015, he passed away.
May Pastor Ronny’s series of reflections and meditations strengthen your hope and faith as you go through your own life’s battles.
PHOTO CREDIT: Bar Fabelloa via Flickr Creative Commons License
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