Zebra Ministries: Good

Monday, December 19, 2011

Good

John 10:11 (NLT)

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.”

Good morning Zebras,

Today’s attribute is good.

Whether or not God is good is a question every Christian needs to settle for themselves and one I have written about before. Because of my own personal experiences reconciling the goodness of God with the reality of my life was a necessary task before I could begin to grow spiritually.

Reconciling Psalm 119:68 (NLT) “You are good and do only good; teach me your decrees,” with the realities of life is sometimes difficult but absolutely necessary. It’s imperative as Christians that we understand God is good because the Bible says so, not because of the circumstances of our life. If God is good only because our life is good then what happens when things turn bad?

In the beginning God made everything good. Adam and Eve messed it up. They introduced sin into God’s perfect world. But God in His goodness did not destroy them. He punished them for their sin by sending them from the Garden but He did not kill them as they deserved.

Instead He continued on with His plan.

In His goodness He sent His son to pay the penalty for our sins and to reconcile us to Himself. Jesus is the ultimate expression of the goodness of God. And yet people still accuse Him of being unkind or unfair when He doesn’t do exactly what they want.

It is rather silly when you think about it.

What we want is a “happy” life. But God has bigger plans. He wants us to have a “holy” life. He wants us to be transformed into the image of His son so that we can reach the world for Christ. Christians who blame God and whine when their circumstances are unpleasant do not advance the kingdom.

I know because I’ve been there.

God has us on a journey. He has told us the destination, He has paid the price of our admittance but He hasn’t told us everything that is going to happen along the way. He has reassured us that He is in charge and He has asked us to trust Him. He has even warned us the road will be difficult but He has promised us it is worth it.

But sometimes, like spoiled kids whose father is taking them to Disneyland, we complain and malign the goodness of God because He won’t stop and get us a soda.

Love,

Jill

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Why Zebras?

In the summer of 2008 I was looking at a herd of zebras in a wild animal park and commented to my son that I didn’t understand why the lions didn’t just eat the zebras because their markings make them so obvious. He told me that the opposite was actually true. God has marked zebras so when they hang together in a herd, their stripes create the illusion they are one large animal and therefore too big to attack. It is the lone zebra that is usually eaten. The same is true of Christians; we must hang together and encourage each other to fight off the lions. The lone Christian is easy prey.

1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Therefore:

Zebras was started to encourage women who desire to follow the Lord Jesus Christ, who want their lives to be transformed to honor God and who are willing to be “zebras” in a world of “horses”. Zebras exists to reassure you that you are not alone and that God has called you to be peculiar. As a peculiar person you should look different than the world

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Pastor Endorsement

Jill Getchell speaks from her heart and from God’s word in a way that brings encouragement and hope to God’s people. I’ve been blessed to hear her at Awana conferences, a women’s retreat, and from the pulpit of our church. I am confident your people will be equally blessed by spending the day with Jill at We Have Hope...your church will be blessed as well.

Pastor Al Marks

First Baptist Church Vallejo

I have known Jill for many years now. She truly desires to encourage the churches in our community and to strengthen the believers that attend our churches. Her passion for Jesus comes out in her ability to speak, and her heart is to encourage all those that attend to go back into their churches and be a blessing.

Pastor Kelly Patchin

New Harbor Community Church, Benicia

I believe women are vital to the unity and health of the church. They bear the image of God and serve Him in a great way within His church. Zebras has the ability to unite and excite women to grow in their faith and in their relationships with each other. In John 17:20 Jesus says, "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” One of Christ’s last prayers for His church is that they would be one as He is with the Father. And through our unity the world can come to believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. Unity is essential for a healthy church and healthy relationships between women. Zebras can stimulate healthy growth in the spiritual lives of the women in your church too. It is a blessing at New Harbor and I believe it would be a blessing for any pastor to have in their church.

Kelly Patchin, Pastor
New Harbor Community Church

Testimonies

The Zebra herd has given me the opportunity to be myself. I think we all have a face we put on for others, especially on Sunday. We don’t want to let anyone see the pain or hurt we’re suffering because we feel that it’s a reflection on our walk with Christ. I now have a group of loving Christian women with whom to share the joys and sorrows equally… Without the Zebras, I’d still be wearing my Sunday face. ...............Dawn C.

The Zebra ministry has deepened my relationship with Christ and the women at my church beyond what I thought possible... Most importantly, it has given me a safe place to be very, very real… I have learned how to be transparent and allow my fellow Zebra sisters to support me in prayer and God to minister to the deepest part of my soul--the part that needed it the most.................... Jennifer H.

When I came to New Harbor Church I was so lonely. I knew I needed the fellowship of other Christian women but did not know if I could break out of my self-imposed isolation. I felt unworthy of anyone’s friendship, let alone" godly people"... But Zebras has made me feel the true acceptance of these wonderful women. I have slowly opened my heart to them, with their encouragement and love! I don't have that heavy ache of solitude anymore. ................Barbara B.

I was with you in the beginning meetings of the herd and watched it evolve into a place where we as sisters in Christ could share our burdens without judgment. Being a Zebra helped me through a very trying time- Leap of Faith– leaving a relationship, selling my home and trusting in God. It was encouraging to know that I was not alone and being a part of a group where women could feel understood, comforted, and lifted up spiritually. .................Tracy M.

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