and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”
John 4:28-29
But what these facts can’t portray is a young woman in bondage to perfectionism and anxiety. Terrified of making mistakes and anything less than 100% felt like failure. It wasn’t until my late 30’s, after a season of dark depression broke my white-knuckled grip on life, that I was able to open my hands to receive God’s love and the truth about who He created me to be. And by His grace, the journey of transformation continues.
Everyone who meets Jesus has a story of transformation. Stories come in all shapes and sizes, just like the individuals created uniquely in the image of God. And our stories are not isolated - they intertwine with others’ like threads in a beautiful tapestry. In John 4, the woman at the well was transformed by an encounter with Jesus. The trajectory of her life was completely changed! And as she shared her story, others were changed too.
In August, we’re sharing the story of a young woman in our Grow Together program. This is what Love INC is all about - people in community, stories intertwining, leading to truth in love, “Could this be the Messiah? Come and see!” Mirkayla’s story is different from yours or mine or the woman at the well. But one thing we have in common. It takes courage to share your story. And it takes courage to invest your true self - time, talents and resources - in a transformative community.
As you watch this video, I encourage you to reflect on your own story. Love INC volunteers are the heart and soul of the ministry. Is God calling you to invest yourself in new or deeper ways, or invite a friend to become part of the story, too? You never know whose life will be changed - it might even be yours.
~ Jen Hanson, Executive Director