Zebra Ministries: Broken Seat

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Broken Seat

John 16:7 (NIV84)

But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

Good morning Zebras,

The seat in my van has broken twice and it is starting to act up again. The first two times it was the back of the seat, this time it feels like it is the bottom part. But it doesn’t really matter, what matters I realized the other day as I was driving down the road, is that I don’t trust this seat anymore and I was doing my best not to sit in it. Mentally, I was trying to levitate myself, which is impossible of course, so that I did not need to rely upon the seat to hold me up.

And God said that’s what you are doing with Me too. You are mentally trying to do it yourself so that you do not need to rely upon Me to miraculously provide. You are afraid that I am going to let you down “again.” That you are going to throw all your eggs into the God basket and I am going to drop them, so you are holding back…just a little.

And of course He was right. Flinging yourself after God is a scary thing, giving it all up and dancing naked before the Lord with no thought of your own interests is tougher than it seems. And it is really tough here in the United States where we have so much and we are so able to take care of ourselves. I think culturally we are taught to work hard, rely upon ourselves and out of our abundance give to God.

Biblically, I think we are to supposed to be broken bread and poured out wine and out of our great poverty rely upon God. But how many of us really do?

How many of us have really given it all up for God without holding anything in reserve in case the “God thing” doesn’t work out? How many of us have flung ourselves off the cliff, knowing God is going to catch us? Or do we have a more “balanced” approach?

He obviously has the heaven thing all under control, but doesn’t He appreciate our help with the day-to-day details of life? Doesn’t God help those who help themselves by planning out every detail of their existence? Isn’t that what we are taught?

But it isn’t true. God is not impressed with our abilities; He is impressed with our availability and our willingness to lose it all for Him.

Have a wonderful Easter little Zebras, remember Jesus died and rose again not only to conquer sin and death but to give us the Holy Spirit which indwells all believers and gives us the power to do all that God is asking of us even if it is really, really scary.

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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