Reflections from Community Spiritual Director — Jarade Sinclair

I consider it a great honor to serve as Still Waters Emmaus Community Spiritual Director for 2015. Valerie and I are partners in life and ministry and are committed to serving you this year. Simply stated, we're here for you.

Emmaus is all about God's great grace for us to win this race of life. Jesus freely gave His life, so that we may freely live our lives in Him. As we have received, and continue to receive, God's amazing grace, we then share His grace with those around us. Freely we have received, so freely we give (Matthew 10:8).That's what Emmaus is all about, serving each other and sharing His grace.

As we head to the mountain for the Spring walks, you may be facing a mountain of your own. In Ezra, when the children of Israel who'd been taken captive by Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, returned to Judah and began rebuilding the temple under the leadership of Zerubbabel, they were met with all kinds of opposition. First, they had enemies who pretended to be friends offer to help them build, but they saw right through them and refused their help. The enemies then actually hired people to create delays and obstacles to building the temple. When progress continued, they sent letters to nearby kings painting the Israelites as rebels and halted building for 17 years. Then the word of the Lord came through the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah that it was time to resume building as reflected in this scripture. So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts. 'Who are you 0 great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the headstone with shouts of, "Grace, grace to it!""' Zechariah 4: 6-7 Perhaps you're building or rebuilding your temple, your life lived worshipping and serving God. No matter what obstacles you face, SHOUT GRACE! The mountain in your way will become a plain. It is no match for our God! The pilgrims we encounter will also be building or rebuilding their temples. Let's all embrace the opportunity to teach them to SHOUT GRACE!

De Colores!
Minister Jarade