.
Christiane
Lewerentz
(left center)
is joined by
her Bethany
sisters as she
celebrates
her lifelong
commitment to
live single
for the Lord
on May 27,
2017 in
Belfast, N.
Ireland
A Step of Joy and
Gladness in Response to God's
Call
.
God's
Generous Love and Provision for the Call
and the Journey
by Christiane Lewerentz
When I think
of my lifelong commitment, I'm
deeply grateful and almost
speechless at the love and care of
those around me. The celebrations
were a moving witness to me of
God's generous love and provision
through my brothers and sisters in
Christ – in the Charis community
in Belfast and other communities
in Europe, in my Church, the
Servants of the Word, neighbors,
friends & family from Germany,
friends from my orchestra.
What touched me the most was how
joyful the day was, how much joy I
experienced. God's presence was
tangible. His love abundant.
Seeing over 200 people come
alongside me, serving and loving
me was as if God was putting on a
rich display of His love and
commitment to me.
I received a word earlier in the
year about God putting a 'shield
of people' around me. On my
commitment day, I was able to see
this 'live' as a reality and as a
promise for the future.
I am excited when I think of the
future – and often terrified of
the greatness of the adventure God
has taken me on, and sometimes
afraid of the cost. My heart's
desire is that many men and women
dare to love the Lord with all
they are and have, and expect of
Him life to the full, no less. I
made this commitment because God
won my heart for Himself and for
His people. The Father is worth
our love and our all for His own
sake. Jesus is enough for this our
pilgrimage on earth till we come
home.
I think God has given the Bethany
sisters a special place and
calling in the Sword of the Spirit
to be servants of His love and to
witness to the joy of loving Him – whatever
the service, whatever the gain,
whatever the cost, as a simple
response to His incomprehensible
generous love for us and to be
bringers of His resurrection life
to the world.
I want to be one of these servants
of love for God and his people,
alongside the sisters who have
lived this call faithfully for
many years, and alongside the
women who will hear this call to
celibate life in years to come.
And God gives all the grace
needed, and promises a shield of
brothers and sisters in Christ to
uphold me. The commitment
celebration was only the beginning
- see ya on the journey from here
on!
Christiane makes her
promise to live single for the Lord
On
Christiane's Offering of
Her Life
to the Lord
.
by Tadhg Lynch
When the woman at
Bethany anointed Jesus with a flask of
pure nard – she prepared him for his
sacrificial offering on the cross. She
used her act of love to show to everyone
that what this man is about to do is
extravagant, costly, beautiful,
sacrificial and healing. The step that
Christiane has taken is a reflection of
the beauty, love and sacrifice that the
Lord Jesus showed for his people. It is a
step of joy and gladness in response to
God's call for her, it is a sign and a
witness to us his people, of what he has
done for all of us and it is a step of
hope pointing to the life that we will one
day live in heaven with him.
friends and family members
gathered to celebrate Christiane's
commitment
See related Bethany Assocation
articles:
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