AUG 22: THE JOY IN HER VOICE

For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Nicole Dow – I have been a part of the Altamont Campus for about 2.5 years. Since March it’s been quite a whirlwind into quarantine and sheltering in place. I’ve had so many thoughts and emotions and confusion, but one thing has remained steadfast—being anchored into Jesus. I am so thankful that He promises to be with us always!

When and how have you felt led 
to share the gospel during quarantine?

I believe quarantine started on a Friday, and that Saturday I was excited to start inviting friends and family to tune into our church online. I was excited because most of these people I invited would not have stepped foot into a church, but with everything going on there was a door open to invite them in a non-obligatory way. Plus, we were “Sheltering in Place,” so there was nowhere else to go!  

There is one family member in particular whom we (my parents and I) have been trying to witness to for decades. She has lived a life full of addiction, abuse, being in and out of jail, and being open about loving to sin. She knows that my family and I are believers, but she has always made it very clear that, “Jesus, Church, nope, not for me.” Yet, as a family we were always compelled to love on her, to be there for her and her kids as they have (and some still do) battle addictions, homelessness, being in jail, etc.  

I did not hesitate to send her the church online link and invite her to tune in. And to my SHOCK, she responded Sunday afternoon and said she watched the service (which happened to be an amazing message by Charlie on why we need a Savior, why we should turn away from sin)—this was the FIRST time she ever “attended” church, and the message had a huge impact on her—she actually even sent it out to a few of her friends! WOW.

The next Sunday, she asked for the link again, and the next and the next. And only God had ordained the path for us to be in the book of Romans during this time! I love how God is in so many of the details!

Throughout all of these weeks my mom and I would call her or text her to check in…we slowly saw a shift in her behavior and in her thinking. She began to understand sin. She began to understand that there is right and there is wrong. She began asking questions—how could the God of the universe forgive someone like me, love someone like me?

About a month or so into quarantine, we asked her if she wanted to accept the Lord into her heart. We knew God was knocking and knocking. She said she wasn’t ready. We continued to love on her and pray... A few weeks later, she called up my mom and me. She was emotional, and she shared that she accepted the Lord into her heart. The joy that she had in her voice was so exciting, and she couldn’t wait to tell others that Jesus is her Lord and Savior.

How did you prepare? 

How did God equip you?

I feel like sometimes there is no preparation, there is just a prompting in our spirits to do something—can we be faithful and obedient to respond? After this dear family member (and a few other friends also) tuned in, this opened up the door for more intimate conversation about the Lord. Because of our health journey with my daughter, Abby, she had watched us go through trials and struggles. But since we were anchored to Jesus, she has seen us dealing with our trials in such a different way. We never know who is watching us, how we live, how we respond and interact with others. I feel that God has equipped me with a heart for people—to be hospitable and kind, to not necessarily even have to talk about Jesus, but to live Jesus—that in our words and actions they see Jesus, without us even having to mention His name.

How have you been able to continue 
sharing during quarantine season?

We have continued checking in, and even meeting in person to just fellowship. It’s been neat to see such a dramatic shift in this family member’s life. We are currently trying to see if doing a Bible study together would be doable. With another friend who has also been tuning in, and whose kids have started asking her questions, I was able to send a kids’ Bible stories book, and I sent another friend the book, Mere Christianity. 

What memorable responses have you received? 

What have you learned about God? About people? 

What fruits (or growth in your walk) have you been privileged to witness?

I’d say the most memorable response was this dear family member calling us up to tell us she accepted the Lord. She was so excited and said she felt like blinders were lifted off of her eyes—which is exactly what the Word says about non-believers, that they have blinders on that only the Holy Spirit can remove! Interestingly she was so excited that she started telling all her family and friends that she accepted Jesus as her Savior and she quickly saw that non-believers were not excited, some even stopped befriending her. But this has not stopped her; if anything it’s made her understand the world's ways versus God’s ways even more.

This experience has reignited my passion for the Lord. Thirty years or more of witnessing to this family member, loving her, being there for her…and then you get to see the fruit of your labor. It reminds me to not ever stop loving on people, or being a witness—we just never know how God will turn peoples lives around, even if we aren’t alive to witness it!

How would you like to 
encourage other VBC women? 

I’d love to encourage you, VBC ladies, to reach out to a friend or family member who doesn’t have a relationship with the Lord. A simple text to check in with them could mean the world to them. We are in a time where people are hurting, fearful and afraid of the unknown, but we have confidence in the Lord—let’s share it! 

“Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in love. 

Honor one another above yourselves. 

Never be lacking in zeal, but 

keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice, 

mourn with those who mourn. 

Live in harmony with one another.”

Romans 12: 9-16 NIV

Anchored in Peace,

Nicole Dow