A Letter from Neta Jackson

Dear Pearl Girls,

If you’ve read any of my novels, you know they all include a cast of characters from many different cultures, backgrounds, and faith experiences—all right here in Chicago, my hometown. Confession: writing novels has been my way of sharing some of the things God has been trying to (!) teach me on this journey we call the Christian life—and one of those things is . . . just what does it mean to be part of the church, which Scripture calls the Body of Christ???

It’s so natural to gravitate to people pretty much like ourselves. (Admittedly, there are plenty of differences among people “just like us,” so it’s comforting to have some basic cultural things in common.) But unfortunately, the church is still one of the most divided institutions in our society! Not just racially, but culturally, and economically, and denominationally, too. And yet, Jesus said God’s house was to be a “house of prayer for all nations.” I meditated on I Corinthians 12 for a long time—and realized that in describing the church as the “Body of Christ” with all its different parts making up one entity, the apostle Paul wasn’t just talking about “different gifts” (preaching, teaching, serving, etc.). But he also talked about differences in social/economic status (“slave and free”) and differences in culture (“Jews and Greeks/Gentiles”). But the thing that really spoke to me is when that chapter says that the different parts of “the Body” need each other. (Really? Huh. Then why are so many Christians so … so annoying.) Sure, sure, most of us today recognize that other denominations/cultures are part of the worldwide Church, but I don’t think many realize how much we need one another.

When I first began worshiping and studying the Bible with women from different racial groups, cultural backgrounds, and worship styles, I thought I was doing something I “ought” to do and patted myself on the back. But it wasn’t long until I began to realize how much I was learning from these sisters, how my own faith was both challenged and enriched, how much I had to look again at aspects of faith I’d simply taken for granted. I hadn’t realized how much I truly needed the other parts of the Body of Christ (sort of like the hand not realizing how much it needs the elbow and knee and foot to fully function in the way God created the human body). I am so grateful for what these sisters and brothers from other cultures and church experiences have contributed to my own faith walk, helping my faith in Jesus to come alive like never before.

And even though I grew up a “good Christian girl,” it was many years before I truly understood that I am “just a sinner, saved by grace”—just like people who’ve been saved from drug addiction or who’ve spent time in prison or just been all-around jerks. All of my “goodness” can’t even begin to bring me close to a holy God. Only God’s mercy and forgiveness bridge that gap—and as forgiven people, I need to be quick to forgive others who fail me, who let me down, who make mistakes, who sin against me. Because unforgiveness, resentment, and hurt feelings are some of Satan’s favorite tricks, making me think I have a “right” to be angry or upset, because after all, I’m not at fault here! But Satan knows that if I’m not willing to forgive others and extend some mercy and grace, my heart becomes locked from receiving God’s forgiveness.

When I’m writing, I try hard to not simplify my characters into “good guys” and “bad guys.” All my characters are flawed in some way because the truth is, we’re all sinners, even the “good people.” We all need God’s grace, and I want both my unbelieving readers and the been-a-Christian-all-my-life readers to truly know that as they walk through the story with my characters, because there is such freedom in admitting we need Jesus! I think that’s one reason the Yada Yada novels appeal to so many readers, because there’s hope for everyone—from the drug addict to the church addict! God wants to free us from our ugly sins and our self-righteousness, so that we can live in His forgiveness and share that forgiveness with others. “Freely we have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

Well, as I said, living each day as a Christian is definitely a journey. (Aren’t we there yet?? Have I arrived yet, God?? What? There’s more you want to teach me? Sigh . . .) Thanks to all of you who have joined me on the journey—that means a lot!

Your sister in Christ,

Neta Jackson Author,

The Yada Yada Prayer Group series House of Hope series

SouledOut Sisters series

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Neta Jackson is a award-winning author. As a husband/wife writing team, Dave and Neta Jackson are enthusiastic about books, kids, walking with God, gospel music and each other! Together they are the authors or coauthors of over 100 books. They reside in the Chicago area. Connect with Neta online – http://www.daveneta.com