Hold On. Get Up. Sing, Again.

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.

This week, we heard from our friend Pastor Andrew Munoz (New Life Church | Everett), who shared a personal testimony about the glory of God that's found in the midst of pain and in healing. He reminded us that we all have a story that God is authoring, and encouraged us with three phrases that he felt God put on his heart for our community.

There are times in life where the challenges we face cause us to walk as enemies to the cross of Christ. We get so beaten down, so discouraged, so frustrated with God that it can feel like we've lost our footing. If you are in a season of life similar to this, how can your Group support you in this time? If you are not in a season similar to this, be intentional about surrounding those who are, but also be intentional about moments of expressing gratitude to God and sharing your testimony to encourage others about God's goodness.

Pastor Andrew shared with us three prophetic words that he felt like God had given him for Reach. As you read over these with your Group, identify what you most resonate with:

1. hold on. *read as a gentle whisper; a still, small voice of the Holy Spirit*  You have a story. God is not done with your story. People need to hear your story. God is the greatest rescuer and redeemer of your life and he's calling you to hold on. God's goodness outmatches anything in this world, so when you see that your story is still marked by pain, sorrow, grief, or despair, trust that He is still at work. His eye is on the sparrow, and his eye is on you. You are seen by God. He is able, so hold on.

2. GET UP! Press on toward the prize of knowing Jesus Christ. Get up, serve this house, serve this region, serve your coworkers. GET UP. The world needs your love, your laugh, your brain, your artistic expression. GET UP and try again. Get up and see that God is good and His mercy is new. Get up and serve. Use whatever God has made you to be out in the world for His glory, and our good. You were made for a purpose. Let Christ work through you. You are gifted, valued, and loved. Get up and don't give up.

3. Sing, again.  Sometimes the "no's" we encounter as we pursue God can lead to deep discouragement. The things we thought we going to come to pass don't. The prayers we prayed get answered in ways we weren't anticipating. Life feels hard, but it is in these moments we are meant to trust God most. He is working and moving on our behalf. Trust again, believe again, SING AGAIN.

Take time to pray with and for each other.