139 Francis Avenue, Monroe VA

What a blessing it was today to join the online service of First Baptist Church of Monroe, Virginia, as the 127th church on this incredible journey of faith.

Though I wasn’t feeling well and spent much of the day resting, it was such a gift from God to be able to worship from home through their online service. Even when our bodies are weak, God makes a way for our spirits to be nourished.

The service began with the choir singing “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” and I felt tears welling up as I listened.

Those simple yet powerful lyrics “and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace” pierced my heart. I closed my eyes and prayed, “Lord, help me to keep my eyes fixed on You, especially in seasons where pain and struggle cloud my view.”

The preacher stepped forward to preach a message that I know was divinely timed for me “The Ministry of Reconciliation.”

The Reverend began by teaching that reconciliation is not about God needing to be reconciled to us, but about us aligning our hearts and lives with Him. God’s truth has never moved, it’s we who wander.

He reminded us that the love of Christ compels us, it drives us, it stirs something deep in our souls that refuses to stay still. It is not my love for God that compels me because my love is frail and faltering, it is Christ’s love for me that compels me to move, to act, to surrender, to obey.

He said, “When we say no to what God is asking, that is an act of sin.” That cut deep. How often do I hesitate when God calls? How many times have I asked for clarity when obedience was what He required?

I sat listening and reflecting, am I walking in full surrender, or am I offering God only the parts of me that are comfortable?

The preacher shared that God has given us all the ministry of reconciliation, to restore what is broken, to draw others back to Christ through love and compassion. This is not a calling reserved for preachers or pastors; it’s a commission given to every believer.

He said, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.”

That means we’ve been gifted with the privilege of showing others what forgiveness looks like, what restoration feels like.

God reconciled me when I was shattered and lost. He pulled me out of darkness and placed me on solid ground. How could I not turn and offer that same mercy to others?

As someone who has walked through deep pain and betrayal, this message hit close to home. Forgiveness has been one of the hardest yet most freeing lessons of my life. God has been teaching me that reconciliation does not always mean restoration with people but it does mean peace with Him.

I don’t want to just hear the Gospel, I want to live it.

When the choir closed with “Living with Jesus,” I found myself deep in thought. Am I truly living with Jesus every day, or only seeking Him when I am desperate?

This sermon stirred something inside me. It reminded me that saying yes to God can take us places we never expected. Every “yes” I’ve given Him has led me deeper into healing, deeper into purpose, deeper into His love.

Sometimes I think about this journey, 127 churches so far and I marvel at how far He’s brought me. A woman once broken, now learning to live reconciled.

Reconciliation with Christ is a daily choice to return, to surrender, to walk in His truth even when the world pulls us away.

Am I truly living out the ministry of reconciliation, or am I still holding grudges that block the flow of grace?

Have I allowed Christ’s love to compel me, to push me past my comfort zones into full surrender?

Jesus never stops reaching for us. When life feels heavy, when the battle feels too strong, when I fall short, He remains faithful.

I thank First Baptist Church of Monroe for this message, for their faithfulness in sharing the Word, and for the way their worship reached me in my quiet room today. I am so grateful for the grace of God, the grace that covers me, heals me, and daily draws me back to Him.

I can’t wait to visit this beautiful church family in person. Until then, I’ll keep saying yes to God, one step, one church, one act of reconciliation at a time.