March 2021, I was in the middle of a little finger crisis. If you have just started reading my blog, I'd love for you to look back to the Finger Chronicles, as I have come to call them. In summary, I broke my right pinky finger, resulting in surgery to place a screw, followed by three months of physical therapy and some permanent loss of motion in that digit. Because I'm right-handed, this little break wreaked some havoc on my life, and I found myself pleading with God to heal me so I could return to playing piano. Well, God promised to heal me. But He told me I would be healed to write. And He gently whispered that the writing would move from blogging into writing a book.
This revelation took me by complete surprise. I never dreamed I would be willing or want to share my heart in writing. The idea of writing a book was both exciting and terrifying. Nonetheless, I have learned to take God at His Word, so I prayerfully began seeking more in-depth areas of independent study to hone the craft and just learn the process of publishing in formats beyond blogging.
I began following advice of other writers while also using my own writing strategies to outline what I felt like God wanted me to write. Initially, I thought I was writing a book about me personally. I thought I was supposed to tell my story just as I have done through the blog, but in a prescriptive book format. Boy, was I wrong. Let's just say that I've been around the sun enough to have four or five books based on my personal experiences. So, I stopped and looked at the topics that had come from my heart in those moments and prayed. And waited to hear from God.
My mom has always told me when I don't know what to do that I should not do anything. From July 2021 to November 2021, that's exactly what I did. I maintained the blog, but the book had become an afterthought because I was overwhelmed with ideas and unsure of which direction to take. I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but in November 2021, God revealed what I needed to share.
I began feeling very deeply about the topic of church hurt. This is something that many people, including myself, have experienced, especially if you have grown up in a church setting. Yet, in my research, I have discovered there is precious little that addresses this topic. People who are hurt by Christians and church settings are leaving Christ and forsaking assembling together because no one wants to talk about how to have healthy conversations and resolve conflict in a Biblical way.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." (Philippians 1: 27a NIV)
So, with very little to provide but my own experience and Biblical truths, I am plowing ahead. I realize this subject is difficult and somewhat taboo. Unfortunately, we have spent so many years perfecting how to have church and forgotten how to be the Church, so this subject will be hard for some people to discuss or even read about.
I am, however, interested to see if there are others like me. Have you left the conventional church setting because of personal hurt to you or your family? Are you still in church, but find it difficult to respect those in authority because of hurt or how they have handled situations? Have you ever left a church because of hurt by staff or other members? If you have a story to tell, please reach out to me at unbrokenundone@gmail.com. I would love to encourage you, and if you are willing to share your story for the book that is being birthed, please let me know.
Also, pray for me during this endeavor. I want people, especially those who have walked away in hurt, to feel loved and wanted by Christ. I want those of us who are still in church to be the Bride and love others as Christ does. Ultimately, I want God to heal hearts and mend souls by hopefully offering insight and resources to equip us to continue to live in peace with everyone.
© Jill Cook and Unbroken & Undone Ministries. All rights reserved.
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