Dwelling in Grace - Jemima

Todays interview is with Jemima, we’re talking about her relationship with God and her personal perspective of ‘Dwelling in Grace’.

Hi Jemima, thanks for joining us. Before the questions, what’s your go to ‘beverage’ ?

I am very much a tea drinker. I have never been fond of coffee but I will always start and finish my day with a cup of tea. My absolute favourite tea is called 'Melbourne Breakfast' which is from the brand 'T2', a black tea with vanilla.

It’s good to meet someone who likes tea. My go to is Russian Caravan. So, can you tell us a little more about yourself:

I am 27 years old and I am also newly married. I am a certified practicing speech pathologist and I lead the youth ministry at my Church alongside my husband. 

My name means 'dove' and my mum decided to give me the name 'Jemima' because when she was pregnant with me she had a beautiful encounter with the Holy Spirit where she felt the presence of God fall afresh on her. The symbol of a 'dove' has been a reoccurring motif between my mum and I which is commonly expressed between cards and gifts for one another. 

That’s really special:

I’ve been extremely blessed to have grown up in Church and to have been familiar with the love of Jesus for as long as I can remember. 

Towards my late teens, I struggled with the concept of having an 'inherited faith' and I wrestled with the idea of only believing in God because that is what I grew up knowing from my parents. Within this season of wrestle, I sought after God on a more personal and independent level. I ended up choosing to go to another church that was different from my parents (a church that was a different domination to the baptist church I grew up in) and I completed an internship in ministry which brought me on the path of youth pastoring. It was also during this season where I began to grow familiar with God's voice and the method in which He would speak to me.  I like to think of my life as walking finger print of God. I am so blessed to have known from such a young age that His hand has been me, and that I have been marked by His love and grace. 

Choosing God for yourself, and not just living in an inherited one is so important for young people growing up in a household of faith. Tell me, who is the God you found:

My God is everything to me! This idea was solidified in my heart from a very young age. As I mentioned in my response to the question above, I grew up in a Baptist Church. I remember one specific Easter Sunday in kids church, we watched a child-friendly movie adaptation of the Easter story. This viewing was almost unbearable for me to watch as a 6 year old. Whilst the movie itself was not gory or gruesome in it's retelling of the crucifixion, I knew in my heart that this moment really happened - God sent His own son to die on a cross to restore humanity so that anyone could be cleansed of sin and come back into relationship with the Father. Jesus has been Lord of my life since that very moment.

Sometimes I think we underestimate the impact of Children’s Church and the generous grace Gods extends to little ones. As an adult, what's your perspective on dwell and dwelling with him in his grace:

For me personally, when I think of the word 'dwell' the word 'linger' also comes to mind. When I dwell in the love and the grace of God, I become perfumed in Him and the fragrance of Christ lingers into my everyday schedule and routine.

2 Corinthians 2: 14-15 speaks directly to this notion of 'dwelling' being like a lingering fragrance - "But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us spreads and makes evident everywhere the sweet fragrance of the knowledge of Him. For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing."

In order for this 'fragrance' to be inhabited within us and then carried through us, a posture of 'dwelling' is required. It requires consistent 'selah' moments to pause, breathe, pray, reflect and declare, to intentionally set moments throughout the day to apply the principles of spiritual discipline i.e. meditating on the Word of God and waiting on his voice.

Thanks Jemima, for reminding us that our relationship with God is two-sided and we need to pursue it intentionally and well. Its been a delight having you with us:

My blessings to the Mahaia community, I am praying and standing shoulder to shoulder with you to see God’s kingdom come.