CHRIST’S WORK CONTINUES – MY STORY

The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” 

He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.”

John 21:17

Jesus called his disciples to touch the whole of humanity with his message of life and love. Theirs was a life of faith and a call to accomplish great things by serving humanity. Not long after I became a Christian, about 30 years ago, Jesus did that for me. He gave me a dream to make the world a better place for people who live with mental illness like I do. I started believing in the impossible to significantly reduce the stigma.

From around 2000 to 2015 I gave my all to spread the news of God’s love for people with struggles like mine and how my faith in him had helped me. I spoke and wrote widely to Christians and their churches trying to correct their misconceptions of mental illness being a spiritual problem. Mental illness is not caused by spiritual problems, but spiritual support can help us cope with mental illness. Faith is one of the most important ingredients in dealing with mental health challenges.

News spread, especially with the help of the faith-based peer support ministry called Living Room that I had founded. At one point there were 16 groups stretching across Canada . . . and maybe more that I hadn’t heard from. Since 2013, I have carried on Living Room work by sending out encouragement in the form of devotionals. Although it might have appeared that I retired, I never stopped the work. And God is with me yet.

And now, nearing the age of 78, I recall Jesus and his disciples on the beach, having breakfast after his resurrection. Three times he called for Peter to “feed my sheep.” I’m calling for the same. I want to make sure that my work of giving spiritual support to people with mental health needs will carry on when I no longer can.

Today I feel God’s call to resurrect the Living Room spirit to where it once was, and beyond. I want to make sure that those who live with mental health challenges receive the spiritual support they so very much need for their healing.

It’s time for Living Room to do all the things it was founded to do. I’m writing to ask those who believe in a compassionate Jesus to join with me in this dream to make the world a better place for Christians living with mental illness. I believe that with faith, great things can be accomplished. It’s God’s work, and with him all things are possible. I believe my dream can be turned into reality. Please believe with me.

Way back in May 2010, I prayed the following:

It has occurred to me how I wouldn’t be afraid to die. But before I die, I want to build Living Room into something firm and strong. Oh God, how I would like to build something that carries on after I die. Not for the glory, Lord. The glory would be yours. But because this is what you made me to do.

Lord, please help me build Living Room into a movement—a strong movement that cannot be broken. One day, I’d like to have a meeting with my supporters and discuss Living Room’s vision. To discuss my dream of having Living Room become a movement. Would they like to be a part of this? Would they like to help with ideas?

“I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem. It is firm, a tested stone that is safe to build on.” (Isaiah 28:16) Jesus is the foundation stone of Living Room. That foundation is firm, a tested and precious cornerstone that is safe to build on.

Healing the Effects of Stigma provides clear guidance on how to help a person overcome the pain caused by stigma. This 48-page booklet can be purchased from online bookstores or from my website at https://marjabergen.com/books. The link to the PDF is also available there to download free of charge.

If you have been helped and now want to help others, you are encouraged to open it and have a look.

marja