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Blog
Staying Focused on the Whole; Maintaining 20/20 Vision
Written by Tiffany Jacox, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Bellevue, NE
Can you believe we are entering the last month of the year? The year 2020 was one that many people entered into with eyes wide in wonder. Seeing 20/20 is the best you can get, right? This would surely be a year of greatness and clarity! However; this year has seemingly been a year of chaos, pain, turmoil, loss and fear. Everyone was sucker punched and in disbelief in all that this year has brought. It has been a challenge for so many to remain hopeful and stand strong in faith while the difficult times threaten to steal our joy and suck the life out of us while kept in isolation. We have seen an increase in physical illness, mental illness, financial hardship, emotional destruction and spiritual sabotage.
I, like many of you, have been struggling to keep my head above water but thankfully I have held on tight to Jesus, my life raft, my savior. He is what has kept me afloat in times when He was all that propped me up. He has given me the opportunity in times of deep distress to share my faith and share the truth with others around me that didn’t know how to keep their strength. Now, here we are, nine months into this pandemic and this massive change and shift in life as we knew it. What can we glean? What if we just take a moment…be still…look back…
We all well know the saying, “Hindsight is 20/20”. What that means is now that I have experienced this and learned from this I can look back and see what I missed. As we take this time to look back and see what we may have missed or what we can learn; we must first remember, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rules, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12, NASB 1995). The hate, the pain, the suffering these are all outcomes of the world. But friends we are not of this world! We are called to be different, we are called to be salt and light. We are reminded and gifted joy and life in abundance through Jesus Christ in the midst of all the pain. What if this year is a year of clarity? What if God is using this to bring people to Him? “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NASB 1995). Many of us have come to realize how little we need in our daily lives and better appreciate what we do have. Some people have been forced to slow down and be home with their families more than they may be used to. Maybe, like me, this has been a time of deep reflection and a time to reconcile yourself with Christ and gain a deeper understanding of The Word. We can better appreciate the sun after the rain and see the joys after the trials. We must give thanks in ALL things (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NASB 1995).
So let’s take a moment to look back and learn from the past year with eyes, hands and hearts wide open and ready to receive what the Lord has to give us. Maintain our 20/20 vision by looking up and “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NASB 1995). In doing so remember to “Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11, NASB 1995). Remember this time on earth is temporary, just a blink of the eye. We will endure suffering in His name and we will go through many hardships and trials, but we will adorn ourselves in the armor of God and we will keep our focus on Jesus and He will be our 2020 vision.
When Our 2x2 Impact Continues Beyond Borders
“You mean you would take time every week to meet with me and study the Bible? Are you sure that isn’t going to be a burden? I just have so many questions,” Fernanda timidly asked Michelle the first time they sat down to chat over coffee. Michelle’s grin turned into a full-toothed smile as she responded, “There is nothing I would rather do than take the time to study the Bible with you! And, you know Mackenzie who first introduced us when you came to my house for an arepa night? She interned with me this past summer and I would love for the three of us to sit down and study together. I’m sure we can find a time that works for all three of us.” Fernanda continued to shake her head in disbelief that there were people willing to take the time to answer her questions about God, baptism, and the Bible.
Fast forward through weeks of Bible studies with Mackenzie and Michelle alternating the teaching. “Fer” took notes, came with questions about the verses we were to study next, and her passion to learn more continued to grow. Her hunger for God’s Word did not stop with her baptism on February 14, 2018. Valentine’s Day was a perfect day to declare the true meaning of love. By pronouncing her love and commitment to God through uniting herself with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, her demonstration of love for God on that day became infectious to others.
One month later, Fernanda’s friend María, who was there as a witness to Fer’s baptism, was baptized. Michelle, Fer, María, Mackenzie, and others continued to study the Bible and develop deeper mentoring relationships.
Fernanda graduated and returned to Nicaragua. While she and Michelle continued to stay in touch, the communication was sporadic, but no less deep in Biblical discussion. In October 2020, Michelle received the following WhatsApp message from Fer…
Hello Ms. Michelle!
I have faith that you’re seeing how great God is always.
I am writing to you because I was reflecting on my Christian path and the day of my baptism came to my mind, and I went to watch the video. Guess what? I saw you as that first person who came to hug me after I gave myself to God.
And I thought... wooooow. God used you to instruct me in the faith, to walk His beautiful way, to not give up on me and spend your time reading His good news, to answer many questions I had had for years, to encourage me to make the best decision of my entire life. I remember I told you I wanted to get to a point where I felt like I knew enough to get baptized, and then how the Spirit put that feeling of “it’s time” on me. You never said, “Wait more.” Instead, you rejoiced the night before my baptism. February 14, 2018. A date to never forget.
I love you!!!
Michelle’s tearful and grateful response invited Fer to find a time to catch up via video chat. After filling each other in on life, Fernanda’s passion for learning more about the truths from God’s Word became evident. She was reading a “Christian” book and was unsure how to discern whether or not there was truth in what they were proclaiming. Michelle thanked her again for asking the right questions and, instead of answering her questions, Michelle equipped Fernanda with the tools to answer them for herself from 1 John 4, Matthew 7, and several other passages. Fer took notes and immediately applied the verses to her initial question. The best part was when she shared that she can’t wait to share these tools and these truths with her family and with others.
Two by two by two. 2 Timothy 2:2. Teaching to teach. From interns to baby Christians, growing in their passion and knowledge to be shared with others, we rejoice in the way God has used these Iron Rose Sisters to expand the kingdom, beyond borders.
