We talked about the challenges people in church leadership face; balancing 'work' with 'service' and family time. She talked about how hard it is because almost no one in hers or her husband's family are saved. She said they don't understand why she and her husband spend so much time doing 'church' stuff. But she said that they (she & her husband) were committed to their church and were willing to make the sacrifices needed to see the vision become reality. She said it was especially tough when family events were scheduled and they wouldn't be able to go because of their commitment to their church. You know, family wouldn't understand and their feelings would be hurt and they would get mad. They just never get it...but she and her husband had made their commitment and their families not understanding was just part of 'the price' as she said, of being part of pioneering a movement of God.
Recently, I've been thinking about this--If this couple is the only representation of Jesus in their families unsaved lives, what is the message they are giving? I wonder what opinion these people have of Jesus, based on their interactions with this couple. Is He attractive, someone they are drawn to and want to get to know better? Is He someone they might think of going to when they're hurting or confused? I don't know.
