Remain with Him
“So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to “be done” by their hands.” Acts 14:3
As we leave the conference and I reflect back on the experience I had and the ways I encountered the Lord’s beauty, love, and presence throughout the day I’m left pondering what it means for me to let this experience feed a deeper conversion and commitment to the person of Jesus and what I received from Him.
As we go forth from our experience at the conference we are invited into a deeper way to the works and wonders that accompany an awakened or reawakened desire to live in a way that bears truth to what we’re really made for in this life. When we have an experience that reminds us of who we are and what we’re made for we can’t help but speak of it. We can’t help but bear witness to it. It’s part of the beautiful way we were made as women. For me, the conference reawakened a desire to rest in the Lord and then to live in a way that bears witness to the radical priority I want him to take in my life. For me the conference was a reminder of the deep desire I have for delight, rest, and living this life in light of the gift it is. To ultimately live in the peace that only the Lord gives. Sr. Veritas spoke a poignant truth as she reminded us that: “A soul at peace will save a thousand souls.” How often do we live our life as Catholic - Christian women overwhelmed, hurried, frantic, rushed, and overworked. We often feel called or asked “to do more” to witness to our faith without knowing the peace of the Lord’s delight in us as we find true rest in Him. We as women are, no doubt, invited to play an active role in the healing, restoration, and reconciliation of people back to the Lord through works, wonders. But if we are to do this, we must first remain with the Lord in a deep and abiding way so that the work, signs, and wonders may “be done” to us. Let us know what moved us, spoke to us, and challenged us from the conference. To internalize and carry these truths with us. From here the Lord will do amazing things for others and the church from our ability to let his love and transforming power “be done” unto each one of us.
From here, what does God want to do in us and through us? What are the signs and wonders that 800 women who have come to seek and know the Lord in a deeper and more real way are capable of?
Each of us are being invited back to our homes and our workplaces. Back to our children, spouses, families, friend groups, activities… Places that are often filled with tension, disconnect, and disbelief. We are being invited to let these truths from the conference take root and change us. Change how we live, respond, and react to these places in our lives. It is here, in our own daily life, that we too must remain with Him in light of the truths we have been reminded of in order to bear witness to the wonders he wants, can, and does work in each of our own lives.
We are sent back into our own lives, but renewed in our faith to speak boldly of Him whom we have come to know is true and good. We are sent back into places of struggle, hardship, and disunity to stand in the breach. But we are invited to do this in communion with the Lord and others - the 800 other women we experienced this conference with. I encourage all the attendees to reach out to the women that you know who went to this conference to both ask for and offer support in this journey after the conference. To remain rooted in the Lord’s rest and then go and live boldly for Him from that place.
Let us come together in deepened friendship and renewed community. That we might wait with expectant hope for the signs and wonders that He will allow to “be done” in us and by our hands.
This blog post was written by Hilary Sanchez, Oklahoma Catholic Women’s Conference Volunteer.