Perfume and incense uplift the spirit, and the warmth of a true friend shines through their sincere advice.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Proverbs 27:9 & 17
Hello, Lord Jesus, it’s me. I am closing my day by sitting with You for a little while.
I have found myself contemplating our current culture again, Lord. For a backdrop, I was thinking of a teaching by Elizabeth Elliot, wife of missionary Jim Elliot. She described how she and her siblings were raised and how God was always the center of family life and the center of decisions every single day.
That’s not so common anymore, Lord. We, as a people, have strayed quite a way from that simple guide to living holy lives.
I was starkly reminded of this when I became friends with an Asian woman who is also a pastor. Her culture is vastly different from mine, and I find her stories fascinating. Based on deep respect for elders and authorities, with a dedication to excellence wherever possible, her Asian culture shaped her faith story in powerful ways. Over the last 5 years, she and I have sat in discussion groups and learning forums together, and also shared privately about our personal faith journeys and pastoral work.
In my culture, asking a peer, “What do you think I should do about this or that situation?” (whatever concern we had been talking about) is very common. I often do that with trusted friends, to get their ‘take’ on something and perhaps discuss it even more. So naturally, I turned to my beloved Asian bestie and asked her, “What do you think I should do?” Without blinking twice, she answered, “ How should I know what you should do? I don’t know. But you should pray and ask God!”
I laughed for a moment, mostly at myself as I instantly realized what had just happened. There it was – a more casual and chatty American culture had just come up against a laser-focused, ‘God-first-always’ kind of wisdom. It was eye-opening to observe how American culture has softened its laser focus on God compared to my dear friend, whose cultural teachings support her intense desire to obey and reverence You, Lord. This was also lovingly corrective, as only the Holy Spirit can do.
I didn’t feel insulted, my feathers weren’t ruffled – I was simply reminded of two super-important things, all over again.
One, the only opinion that really matters is God’s. That has never changed and has never been false. I can go to godly friends at any time to ask my questions, but it would be good to go to Him first. Two, I must remember that, like you told Peter, I have already been bathed. My whole body is clean, but my feet get dirty from walking in this world. I too easily pick up cultural ways that really have no place in my walk with You. And I sometimes forget things that I already know. Bless her for the reminder!
Thank you for sitting with me awhile, Jesus, and hearing me out. I have peace, and I am grateful to my Asian friend and sister in the faith for her leading by example.
Good night, Lord. I love You.
Judy Gallegos is an ordained pastor who is in the process of transferring into The Wesleyan Church. She’s the senior pastor of rural Joy Community Church in the Western New York District.
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From Rev. Robbie Cansler E2026 Conference Director:
Save the date for WHWC’s E2026 conference, February 23rd- 25th, 2026! We are excited to announce that we will be going north this year, to downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota!
We will be at the beautiful Hyatt Regency, which is connected to the city’s skyway system, a pedestrian walkway connecting the entire downtown! The hotel is also located along Nicollet Mall, and has easy access to the mall’s free bus line. There is a lot of easy access to dining, shopping, coffee shops, historic churches, art, and more!
The hotel has ample space for all 900+ of us to eat, fellowship, and worship in the same spaces! It also boasts a state of the art fitness center, including an indoor pool and gym, a beautiful fireplace, and lots of natural light to embrace the hygge of the north!
There will be ample cozy spaces to meet up with friends, new and old, and have deep conversations with warm drinks in hand!
Our conference will begin at 7pm on Monday February the 23rd and end around 9pm on Wednesday February the 25th! You can travel to the area by plane, train, or receive a discount on parking in the parking garage if you drive!
So, pack your warm socks, your favorite scarf and hat, and get excited as we prepare to join together to worship, to connect, and to engage, equip, and empower one another!
For more information about the Wesleyan Holiness Women Clergy Conference: https://www.whwomenclergy.org/
