We sat around the conference table, enjoying our late afternoon coffee and hot tea.  The faces surrounding the table were young adult faces, except for mine.

Our Bibles lay on the table before us, as did one student’s journal, the one she faithfully brought each week as we met.

Fire burned in the hearth, removing the chill from the room, a chill we spoke of because just last week, we wore short sleeves and shorts.  “Welcome to Kentucky,” we said through our smiles, “a place where a person can enjoy all four seasons during one month.”

As I write these details, it is only to help illuminate the room to you, reader, for it is impossible to share the depth of conversation that ensued from the ladies sitting with me, at the table.

• This meeting was the weekly, Thursday afternoon discipleship gathering of female university students.
• The meeting topics had been planned in advance, laying out six sessions of discussion, and today’s topic—

Worshipping our LORD.

Spiritual growth is uncomfortable.

As the LORD stretches us, we sense the soreness of our spiritual muscles being stretched by the one in whom we believe.  We have learned through Bible scholars how the apostle Paul was writing from a prison cell located in Rome, and we also know how the young pastor Timothy was serving as a pastor at a church in Ephesus.

Let us be clear—

• We did not choose God; the LORD chose us from the beginning, when He formed us in our mother’s womb.
• We (as in all of humanity) are chosen by GOD to enter a right relationship with Him through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, the Savior.
• Our choice to follow Jesus is a simple choice but one not entered into lightly.

Choosing to say, “Yes, Lord” is the beginning of our faith.  That was the starting point of our table talk; we began with the sharing of our testimonies.  I went first, and then one-by-one, each young lady shared.

• This was an important juncture for us, for this is where our faith began—at our redemption by God.
• This “starting” point is the first step for our holiness, and we who believe in Jesus are called to—

• We are reminded throughout the Scriptures how we who believe in Jesus serve a Holy God.
• We are instructed as Christians to pursue His Holiness as our way of life.
• We are promised and have received His righteousness through the miracle of our new birth in Him.
• We have been re-born for one purpose—for HIS GLORY!

From our Redemption, we are taught throughout the Bible how we are Sanctified (to spiritually grow up in the maturing of our faith) as we live by grace, celebrating and marching toward the Glorification He has promised to those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior.

This was a heavy conversation, our testifying, and our maturing in faith, but necessary as we encouraged one another, those who sat around that long conference table.

Encouraging Timothy to “keep up the good fight,” to continue working where God had placed him, Paul continued his letter to his friend and fellow-preacher, Timothy.

Yes, Spiritual growth is uncomfortable.

• Yes, the LORD will stretch us to become that which He desires of us.
• Yes, we will encounter a spiritual soreness of our spiritual muscles as our heavenly Father stretches us, molds us, trims us, and shapes us.
• Yes, we are merely dusty clay, covered by the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
• Yes, we are clay, fashioned by the Potter’s hand.

And Yes, the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY—HE is the One in whom we believe.

• May we gather around the table with our brothers and sisters-in-Christ.  &
• May we encourage one another.  &
• May we testify with those who have not yet encountered the great love of Jesus.
• And may we not be ashamed of the message of the Gospel, that which heals and restores all.