Journey's End

Well, discipleship class is over. Nine months flew by, 32 weeks of classes finished. I'm writing this with the joy of one who completed a goal, the sadness of the absence of that community, and the expectation of the future. I, like Scott, enjoy symbolism and I chose the picture for this post purposefully. In the picture, the start and finish are the same line. As this class finished we crossed that line in celebration, remembering the blood, sweat, and many tears that went into that race. We weren't finished though, walking out the door we turned around and hit the starting line. Ready to go again on the next step.
Last night was beautiful, as Scott and his team continued to pour into us with teaching, food, and gifts for those with perfect attendance. We, the class, returned in kind with our words, our gestures, and our gifts. I'm so proud of our group, because we didn't just give them a gift card, or a letter. Some ingenious people in our group thought of giving them ourselves, by way of a book. Pictures of each of us, sharing memories of the class, and the verses of the bible dear to us. It was... our masterpiece. Something for Scott to look at and remember even more vividly the struggle, the tears, the love, and the victory. A monument, that his team's hard work and sacrifice was not in vain.
Through our memories, and our verses, we were telling him, "We got it. We understand. We know. We will press on." We learned so much, and there were times where we all wanted to quit, some of us did, but there is sweetness in the victory of accomplishing such a long commitment.
I watched people struggle through death, addiction, injury, anger, hate, loss, and depression. I remember the voice crying out, "I am ANGRY!" and the same voice telling us later in the year truths of God, as they healed. People battled with their jobs, and families. Everyone had something or someone trying to pull them away. No one was not attacked. "We fight not for victory, but from victory." That became the battle cry for many. "FEAR. False Evidence Appearing Real." Changed our views on how to understand, see, and combat lies told to us, by us, the world, others, and the enemy. So many more statements, but the biggest one and the one I'll end on.
"Remember to see Jesus in everything you do."

Thank you,
Scott, Julie, and Janice
For your Faith, Dedication, Sacrifice, and Passion
This blog could not have been written without your obedience to Christ.
God bless and be glorified in everything you say and do, from now until His return.