This Morning Jesus Put On Dark Sunglasses

Last week one of our sisters at Freedom Fellowship gave her testimony to the church. It was story about years of domestic violence. The story was harrowing and heroic, chilling and inspiring.

I won't share here any details. The story is too intimate and personal for social media. I'm simply writing this to say how important such testimonies are for the church. These are difficult experiences to share and absorb but the silence has to be broken if women are to feel empowered to speak about and escape abusive and violent situations. And the hearts of men must also be sensitized and converted by these testimonies.

The church must repent for not centering, empowering and embracing the testimonies of our survivor sisters.

After being emotionally and spiritually shaken by this dear sister's testimony I am absolutely convicted that churches must, annually and regularly, turn their pulpits over to women who are survivors of domestic violence so that they may share their stories with the church.

The Crucified One is found among those who have been bruised, in body and soul.

This morning Jesus put on dark sunglasses.

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3 thoughts on “This Morning Jesus Put On Dark Sunglasses”

  1. In recent years I have more often spoken of the need for others in the church (besides the preacher and class teachers) to be able to tell their spiritual story. In my own experience no one else is allowed to do so in the congregations where I've served and attended. Yet, there is so much we need to know in order to better minister to the common needs, often kept secret. It is interesting that Phoebe (Romans 16:1,2) could tell the other disciples what her needs were in her own ministry. We can derive power, encouragement, inspiration, and awareness when we hear these testimonies. Usually, we just assume we already know what the needs are and that all we (the teachers and preachers) need to do is to keep on preaching and teaching, often out of our ignorance of the real life issues commonly experienced today.

  2. Theo, I appreciate what you said so much. Many years ago I knew a couple who lost a five year old son to brain cancer. Because of the different ways the couple grieved, they began to become angry and resentful of each other, which eventually turned into abuse by the husband. And as far as I know he had never before been abusive to his wife. I remember seeing sunglasses in worship services, yet never a word was spoken about it; they simply came in and took their pew as they had for years. They eventually worked though their pain and remained together, but it took lots of hard work.


    However, there should have been a way for them to express to the church what they were going though before their marriage became so painful and abusive. I am not exactly sure what would have worked best; but, unless a church can wrestle with itself in order to help itself become more willing to be bled upon, then the worship is just an "easy like a Sunday morning" hour. That may let most of the congregants feel comfortable; but for those who have to pretend, it can be an hour or two of hell.

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