Only You

Sunday worship at The Bridge, amazing yet again.

God continues to inspire me with simple surprises.

Just a few weeks ago, a colleague approached me after class and said that he had noticed I was a Christian and told me that he was too. He began to tell me about this idea of forming a bible study group specifically for Schulich students. He said "for the past 3 years at Schulich, all I've seen are people walking aimlessly in and out of this building, so tied up in their affairs and worries about school, jobs and reputation, without even knowing the possibility that there is something greater to this life than that". I completely agreed.

We talked about how the Christians at Schulich are in hiding and I felt like one of them. Doesn't that just sound... typical? We're suppose to be the salt and light of this world, aren't we? We have a mighty God on our side with all the impossibilities now possible through Him, yet we continue to strive for the very least.. or we strive for the very best and give up once it gets too tough. There is a promise that God made to us that He would never put us through something we could not handle.. but when things do really get difficult and unbearable, we complain and blame God, we start believing that God has abandoned our side, and then some believe that God must not be real because of their excruciating circumstances. But all of that is complete ignorance, right? Because when we declare ourselves Christian, as children of God, a friend of Jesus Christ.. the power of God resides within us. And the power of God is far greater than the strength of our own efforts. Hence, when we come to face these mountains, we can move them because of His promise. Never think small, never think that you can't handle it, because God has given you the power to overcome the impossible. Call me opportunistic or overly optimistic, but I am extremely realistic and rational.

Anyway, I think my point being is exactly Pastor Child's point: We set our boundaries too close and we should realize that God will exceed our limits to something unimaginable.

Why do we think and act so small? Why can't we think big like God?

So here God is, trying to speak to me through this guy who I've never had any previous conversation with before, telling me that it's time to stand firm to my faith and do something beyond my everyday habits. The Lord has told me over and over again that by God's great power and for His glory, I should be courageous and bold. And by taking one leap at a time, me and my new friend continue to meet weekly to talk about ideas and ways to serve our community better.

After 3 years at Schulich.. I'd say it's finally about time.

Life's brighter under the sun.

"Do not let it be said of you that you did not trust God in this."

Searching for a career job, applying to hundreds of places, waiting on callbacks, getting rejected from 95% of them, waiting and waiting, anxiety and fear...finally.. a process I thought would never end, did today when I got offered full-time. Really, all I can say is that God is truly faithful. Even when I was getting rejection letters from companies and not even hearing from any for a while, I knew that I had to stay courageous.

God will not let me down, and so I could not let Him down either. I knew I had to stay faithful and trusting. The process was not at all easy but I firmly believed. I believed truly in my heart that at the end of the day God would provide for my every need.

He reassured me through many different signs and I needed to be patient and accept the fact that it would be all in his perfect timing.

Something that I have taken away from this job process is that I have been made for God and it is my journey to follow His purpose.

I cannot forget that.

Nothing can separate, even if I ran away... Your love never fails.

The Need for good relationships in your life

"Every now and then, a relationship goes beyond solid to become significant, a relationship that is pivotal to your life. I don't think anyone can try to create one of these relationships. I call them simply God's gift to me. I don't deserve them-but I do need them. People with whom I have enjoyed this kind of relationship give beyond reason and lift me up to a level I could not achieve without them." - J.C.Maxwell

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."

(Luke 12:48)

Do not let it be said of you that you didn't trust God in this.

Life of Simplicity

Today was a good day at The Bridge. Pastor Trevor Moss spoke about living a life of simplicity and how we seem to bump into so many roadblocks along the way.

A man gave a short testimony about his near-death experience from a surgery he underwent a year ago. It was two weeks of desperately trying to save his life and afterwards he endured another 7 weeks of recovery. He said that during this time he realized that he had forgotten about the simple things in life. He was just running on adrenaline and eventually lost sight of what the most important things meant to him, like having a family.

It was no surprise to me that this man needed a near-death experience to make him start enjoying the blessings of his life, because I know I'm the same. I'm afraid that I'm quickly forgetting about what matters most to me. As I continue to steep into my daily routine, I know I'm losing sight of roadblocks... and that means I'm becoming vulnerable to that saying "You just don't know what hit you until it hits you".

God made man simple; man's complex problems are of his own devising. (Ecclesiastes 7:29)

Also, sometimes I wonder what is it that I really, truly want in life? This morning I actually felt something tug at my heart and tell me that having everything will never compensate for missing that one thing called 'freedom' in the Lord. Have I become the victim of my own selfishness and pride? Am I deceiving myself into thinking that I am free to do whatever I want, to have whatever I want, when and wherever I want? At the end of the day, does having and doing these things truly make my heart feel at peace?

The bible tells us that the place where our treasure is, is where you should want to be, and where you will end up being. Do I store up treasures here on a decaying earth or do I place my treasures in God's kingdom?

Lastly, living a life of simplicity challenges us by asking "what matters most?". Even if I can become the most affluent and influential woman in this world and a mother of a perfect family, all of it will be worth nothing if I do not know or have the love of God. Therefore, at the end of the day, I yearn for the love of God who provides for my needs and wants, who heals me from pain, and who encourages me to be stronger than mountains.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33-34