Community, Gospel, and Truth

Hi again!

So, my blog I gave you the link to on my WordPress account is a little wonky. So, I’m gonna post the blog below: 

This is my first official blog while at G42 Leadership Academy in Spain. So, welcome!

I landed in Spain 3/1 and I’ve had officially one week of classes and a little time to adjust. The Lord has already done so much in these first 10 days and I wanted to share some of what I’ve been learning and how He’s been growing me so far.

One of the deepest needs of my soul is genuine, raw community. And I have received that blessing by being here and everyone that He’s placed alongside me in this journey: from the Senior class who’ve welcomed us in with open arms, the staff & leaders who challenge us, teach us, and love on us, and the amazing fellow newbie interns who I live with and do class with each week. It is so hard to find this kind of loving, servant-hearted, spur-one-another-on community in the States and I am so grateful to already call these amazing humans my family and brothers and sisters in Christ.

So, what am I learning, you ask?

Well….it’s hard to adequately describe class and the Spirit-led environment present there. And, a lot of the learning happens outside of the classroom: as I live in community and we discuss theological questions, share our stories, and pour into each other and as I process alone with the Lord. But let me tell you, these instructors aren’t afraid to jump into the uncomfortable and hard. They challenge your beliefs and guide you into places where deep wounds lay so that healing can be ushered in.

The Holy Spirit is so evident and it’s life-giving. I have never been in an environment like this before and it’s a little unfamiliar but I love it.

We are just learning the basics and already my mind is being blown at the revelations, healing, impartation, and love that I’ve encountered. I’ve summarized the Gospel as I understand it below. 

The Gospel solidified for me:

We were each born to be loved. And from that identity of loved by God, we find who we are in Christ. This is foundational to our faith. We know we can do nothing to earn His salvation, grace, favor, or love. So, we just rest in Him and His abundant love.

Then, once we realize how much we are loved, we are free to love this Lord who is Love. Then, we are motivated by love for God to listen to Him and to obey. We love others as He loves us with His Spirit in us, guiding and enabling us. We become Christ to whoever we encounter as we reflect His love to them, serving others over ourselves. We are discipled and we go out and make disciples of all nations, one person at a time. We don’t need appreciation or reciprocation from others because we give without expecting anything in return. For to do His will and live to glorify Him is our purpose as we become living sacrifices, worshipping Him in all we do.

We are fully known and loved by God and we seek to follow Him. Living for God satisfies us fully like nothing else can.  Grace is free but to actually live for Jesus costs us everything. But we count the cost and deem it worth it. For we know that He only gives good to His children, even if His definition of good differs from ours. We realize we will end up surrendering everything and all that we are, but we know His plans and what He has for us is infinitely better. He uses trials and troubles to grow and develop us and deepen our faith as we cling to Him as our only anchor and constant Help.

So, we say YES to whatever and open our hands to receive. We are free to just BE and let Him have His way with us. We are transformed and renewed in our mind, heart, and soul and we are fully alive. We can’t help but overflow out to others and share the treasure that we have. We become God with skin on and we partner with this awesome God to bring Kingdom to earth and awaken hearts everywhere to His love. For, we can’t keep this gift to ourselves. We must spread this message of God’s extravagant love so that captives are freed and our Father wins His children back. And, the need is overwhelming and urgent, so we live in constant communion with the Lord as we each seek to be the Message of the Gospel to whoever God places in our paths. It’s beautiful and humbling that He would choose us to carry out His plan of reconciliation. But, He does. And it’s our privilege to serve Him til the day we die and then forevermore.

Staff and students are sharing their wisdom and stories. Chains are being broken and wounds buried deep are being healed. Lies are bubbling up to the surface and community is rallying around individuals to speak truth and to pour out love. Safe spaces are already forming and we are encouraging each other daily. We are fighting for time to rest and abide with the Father so that we are refueled for the days ahead. Spontaneous Spirit-led worship occurs and refreshes my soul every time. We gather around the table at meal times and we do life together. We’re a family that fights for each other. We are the Church, the Body of Christ, in the realest form I’ve ever been a part of. It’s beautiful and I’m blessed to be here and to belong. I’m confident that in 9 months, we will leave different than when we came. And, I’m ready. I’m expectant. For my God is good and I am loved. And He has good things in store for me, of this I am sure.

Thank you all for reading and for your encouragement! If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me!

I still need to raise $5,000 to be fully funded and I need $2000 by the end of May.

If you would like to donate, go to:

https://www.generation42.org/donations

**Then scroll down to March 2019 class, and select Raina Luthra.

You can either do a one-time or monthly tax deductible donation via PayPal.

Love love love,

Raina