Zebra Ministries: Sovereign

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Sovereign

Isaiah 55:9 (ESV)

For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Good morning Zebras,

When I started writing about the attribute ornaments back in December I purposefully started with faithful because I said that it was my favorite. But this morning when Gary pulled out “Sovereign” I realized that might have changed. Knowing God is in charge is one of my favorite things to think about and the attribute I currently find most comforting.

I didn’t use to think too much about the sovereignty of God. To be honest it was irrelevant to my life. I had concerns and problems, things that needed to be done and I needed to do them. God seemed rather distant and useless. Sure, He was going to get me into heaven, but the day-to-day stuff? That was up to me.

Then, somewhere along the way someone told me about the sovereignty of God. They told me that nothing happens that God does not allow, that every hair of our head is numbered and that God is the one who is really running the show.

Well, that caused a new problem for me. How did I reconcile a sovereign, loving God with my life’s experiences? Because up to that point my experiences with God had not been so great. If God was really in charge then He had purposefully allowed some pretty rotten stuff to happen to me and knowing He was in charge didn’t make it any better. In fact it made it worse. If God did all that-what would He do next?

But this morning I realized how much knowing God has changed all that.

Knowing that God is holy, righteous, loving, gracious, merciful and all-powerful; that He is sovereign and in charge and that He loves me and has promised to work everything out for my good, allows me to live my life without the constant companions of fear and worry. Of course they stop by now and then for a visit, but they are no longer allowed to be permanent residents in my life.

And knowing God is sovereign has given me a childlike faith I’ve never had before.

Because now I can walk in obedience to God confidently knowing that if I am accidently going the wrong way He will change the situation and get me back on track.

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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