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Written by Liliana Henriquez, volunteer for Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Colombia
I don't know what has happened lately, but I have felt that the world has accelerated, and we are living life at high speed like "X2" in WhatsApp audios. On the one hand, it has been wonderful because we have managed to do many things in less time. Technology has helped us a lot and has made knowledge available to everyone. So there are no more excuses to grow and improve in any area of our lives. But, on the other hand, we live so fast-paced that sometimes, we forget to enjoy the moment and be grateful for the blessings that God is giving us day by day.
Today I want to focus on the positive side of this acceleration, and one of the things I love about this era is globalization. Geographical barriers are no longer obstacles to communicating and connecting with one another anywhere in the world. We already see our individual selves as a whole. We have normalized different time zones and cultures. We have friends and clients all over the world, and we feel they are super close thanks to video calls or Zoom meetings.
Another positive aspect of globalization is everyone's access to the Gospel. People are recognizing the need for Christ. We have seen it in the lives of artists and famous people who have publicly shared their faith journeys and inspired others to make the decision to accept Christ and obey the Gospel. That makes me very happy!
I feel that more and more people are using their platforms or channels of influence to impact the world positively, making Christ better known and giving relevance to the spiritual area. We are exercising our freedom in the right way.
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings. (1Co 9:19-23 NIV)
Christ is not religion. He is a relationship and a lifestyle. It should be noted that we are disciples of Christ not only in the church but in our work, friendships, relationships, etc. It doesn't make sense to be a Christian in select specific areas or places. We are a WHOLE; soul, mind, and body, and we must be coherent and congruent with what we profess. If we are Christians, we must act as Christians in our daily lives. In this way, we can put into practice one of my favorite phrases: "Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words" (St. Francis of Assisi).
We were called to make Christ known at every moment. This is the good news that this fast-paced world needs!
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Written by Jelin Robles, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. (Jn 1:1-4 NIV)
Reading the book of John transformed my way of thinking and seeing things, and when I discovered that it was intended for the church, I was even more enchanted. I love the book of John.
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. (Jn 1:10)
The words and actions described in the first 14 verses of John are very powerful. For me, there are no other verses as realistic and clear as these. Furthermore, the first four verses reveal to us the presence of Jesus at the creation of the world, contradicting the many erroneous statements and beliefs that seek to deny the sovereignty of the Son. We understand that we were created through Him and by Him. The love of Jesus Christ for us surpasses our understanding, for He came as a man, leaving His glory.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (Jn 1:11-13)
Out of His love for us, in order that we would all turn back to Him, John was chosen to testify of Christ’s arrival. However, not everyone accepted Jesus as He was. Some rejected Him, but there was another group that accepted Him and He called them His children. What a beautiful and rewarding thought for my heart, knowing that He did this for me and everyone around me—throughout history and those who will live in the future until Jesus returns. My heart overflows with joy because I understand that once I was one of those who rejected Him and did not accept Him, but His eternal love caused me to know Him better until I accepted His invitation to the table and became His daughter.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (Jn 1:14)
His sacrifice motivates me every day to fulfill His will, and that is what I always want to do. May all Iron Rose Sisters be grateful for what Jesus and our Father did for us and may we all strive to please Him.