God doesn't waste...

This past Sunday, we had a special Sunday at Gracepoint Fellowship Church as we had a Baptism Service and our Open House, which highlighted the different ministries at our church.  I think the Baptism service was my favorite part and I think I always tear up as I hear the testimonies of the people and hearing how each person has come from such a different place and yet we find ourselves so similar.  Despite our pasts and history, we have a common theme in our lives; we're disconnected from our Maker in Heaven - God.  And our sin has separated us and has often led us down very dark roads - pursuing the wrong things in our life instead of God like partying, drugs, alcohol, romance, and other addictions.  But again, I love that part when each person comes to his/her senses and realizes, just like the prodigal son, that they have been living apart from God and what they were pursuing didn't and couldn't satisfy but only God could.  They find what's always been missing. 

Hearing Mike Kim's testimony also reminded me that God doesn't waste anything in our lives.  He explained how during one of the Brothers' sharing time in which he heard Jesse Kim (one of the staff interns in our homegroup) share his testimony and struggles really hit him.  After hearing the testimony he talked to Jesse for hours and Jesse got to really share his struggles and battles with sin and his own future as well.  I know that for Jesse he had some tough struggles but had it not been for those struggles and growing in his own trust in God he would not have been able to share with others what God has done in his life and ultimately help Mike come to know the gospel.  I really thanked God as I thought about this amazing event.  Even the difficulties and struggles we go through, God can use and He doesn't waste.  That's awesome!

Leads me "beside quiet waters"

Psalm 23 is one of the classic Christian passages of all time and I thought it was a wonderful passage to reflect on this past week and in light of our Baptism service this past Sunday. One of the girls in Ellen's group along with 18 other people got baptized this past weekend. As I heard many people's stories from the videos I thought how many were the same in that they were lost or looking for some "pool of water to satisfy" them like ambition, career, romance, just being liked but in the end God found them and directed them to the water that would truly satisfy them.

I thought of my own testimony and how I came to Cal as an anxious, insecure, yet cocky East Coaster. I based my identity on what others thought of me instead of being a genuinely loved child of God. Indeed, God has been the good shepherd who has led me "beside quiet waters" - to live a life that is centered on loving Him and loving others. Any other pursuit - for man's attention - is certainly not worth it.  The message of how God has been leading my whole life and nothing has been by chance really hit me once again and I was really humbled.  God knows what is best for my life and I need to be humble to receive this and let him guide me by letting his rod and staff comfort me - protecting me from sin and molding and shaping me into the person of love he wants me to be.