Whenever I listen to a song that sounds good, or catches my ear and gets stuck in my head, I'm always inclined to eventually check out the lyrics online and figure out what the song's really about. This song has been stuck in my head for the past few days; I'll let you know why in the next paragraph. When I checked out the lyrics, I realized that this song was talking about getting high and dreaming (it supposedly inspires creativity and makes you feel "real good"). I do not agree with the message of the song in this sense.
To some extent, I believe this to be true. You need to pursue goals in life to be happy. You need to pursue happiness. Pure joy comes from knowing God and from knowing that He is Love. When I think about pursuing happiness, I realize that a lot of things that I have started to choose to pursue has led me to undoubtful amounts of a whole new level of happiness - joy. That feeling that I am doing what I am made to do; that I am doing what my very soul is longing for.
It's crazy. I am so madly inspired right now. I just came home from a meeting for small group leaders. We talked about how to invite people to take next steps in the journey of faith and how to be there for them as they go through that process. We also talked about how God has been working in our lives these past few weeks. It was good. Let me start with my weekend. I would also like to note that I am drinking a really yummy minty tea, but I lost the label on it so I have no idea what it's called.
I went home with a few things on my agenda to accomplish; filling out my OSAP application, filling out my passport renewal application, and spending some time with my sister by watching Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and eating tropical ice cream. Here's what I ended up doing on Saturday; sleeping in until 1PM, going shopping with my mom, taking the passport photo, having family dinner, rushing to print passport documents, going online shopping with my sister for the first time, and then falling asleep 40 mins into the movie. And Sunday; going to church, getting reminded about filling out some mission forms for Urbana, having lunch, failing to help my dad replace his headlights, helping put up Christmas lights, taking my dog out to pee, packing my bags, rushing to fill out all my forms, dropping off some forms, going back to Waterloo, going to the meeting, and then going home.
Going in to the meeting, I was so tired. I just wanted to go home. I was ready to hit the bed. Snore a bit, and then wake up tomorrow feeling super-charged and refreshed. Instead, I got really excited during the end of the meeting thinking about my future and what God has in store for me. Most of it is still unknown but from what I know, it's going to be amazing. Two weeks ago, this lady from the Chinese Ministry approached me after the English service. She is one of those ladies that have been at my church forever and has pretty much watched me grow up. Anyway, as she approached me, I thought she was going to say nice things and awe at how much I've grown - typical things older Asian women like to say to the younger people. I was right. She did say these things, but she before I could awkwardly squirm my way out of that conversation, she cut to the point, "I'm looking for some university students to go to China in July for missions and to teach English."
Also, I read Proverbs 8 Friday night, and 9 Saturday. Proverbs 9 tells the difference between Lady Wisdom and a 'simple woman'.
"I'm in the pursuit of happiness and I know, everything that shines ain't always gonna be gold"
- Kid Cudi
It's crazy. I am so madly inspired right now. I just came home from a meeting for small group leaders. We talked about how to invite people to take next steps in the journey of faith and how to be there for them as they go through that process. We also talked about how God has been working in our lives these past few weeks. It was good. Let me start with my weekend. I would also like to note that I am drinking a really yummy minty tea, but I lost the label on it so I have no idea what it's called.
I went home with a few things on my agenda to accomplish; filling out my OSAP application, filling out my passport renewal application, and spending some time with my sister by watching Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy and eating tropical ice cream. Here's what I ended up doing on Saturday; sleeping in until 1PM, going shopping with my mom, taking the passport photo, having family dinner, rushing to print passport documents, going online shopping with my sister for the first time, and then falling asleep 40 mins into the movie. And Sunday; going to church, getting reminded about filling out some mission forms for Urbana, having lunch, failing to help my dad replace his headlights, helping put up Christmas lights, taking my dog out to pee, packing my bags, rushing to fill out all my forms, dropping off some forms, going back to Waterloo, going to the meeting, and then going home.
Going in to the meeting, I was so tired. I just wanted to go home. I was ready to hit the bed. Snore a bit, and then wake up tomorrow feeling super-charged and refreshed. Instead, I got really excited during the end of the meeting thinking about my future and what God has in store for me. Most of it is still unknown but from what I know, it's going to be amazing. Two weeks ago, this lady from the Chinese Ministry approached me after the English service. She is one of those ladies that have been at my church forever and has pretty much watched me grow up. Anyway, as she approached me, I thought she was going to say nice things and awe at how much I've grown - typical things older Asian women like to say to the younger people. I was right. She did say these things, but she before I could awkwardly squirm my way out of that conversation, she cut to the point, "I'm looking for some university students to go to China in July for missions and to teach English."
"Oh," I said.
"It's going to be for two weeks and we're looking for people who have musical talents so they can lead worship there." she continued.
So this week (two weeks later), I saw her again and I asked her more about the details and when I would have to let her know by. I told her about my situation: that the trip would be during my coop term and that the best case scenario would be that I find a job with the employer knowing that I would be taking two weeks off. She understood and told me that I could let her know sometime in the new year as it was still early. I also told her I would be going to Urbana, a global missions conference over the winter break. So I had a lot to think about. I told her I was definitely interested and was really glad that she had invited me to such an opportunity.
I'm not quite sure what this has to do with my small group leaders' meeting, but I can just tell you that this was on my mind the whole time. My neighbour, who also attended the meeting walked me home. We talked about many things that were going on in the fellowship and I remember thinking to myself that I was really surprised at how much my neighbour had opened up to me. I always thought of my neighbour as a very quiet, kept to-self kind of person. I thought my neighbour was an introvert and wondered how it was possible to keep so many thoughts bottled up inside. Anyway, I was just also really inspired that I heard things that I never thought would come out of my neighbour's mouth.
I think I've come to learn that when the subject is about God's work and how God is working, or maybe just God in general, the Spirit is present and can move people to say and experience things impossible without His presence.
"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."
- Matthew 18: 20
So for those out there who are reading this, please pray with me.
Father, I just want to thank you so much for constantly showing me Your love, endless and overflowing. I thank you for inspiring me and for blessing me with a community that is so encouraging and generous in love. You never cease to amaze me when You reveal Your plans for my life. God, I know that You have called me to pursue you, and to live a life to glorify Your Name. I know that in return You have so much more to give me and that I just need to be willing and obedient to Your calling. As I am preparing to go to Urbana and thinking about going on missions to China, please guide me. I pray that these things are not only in my plans, but also in Yours. I pray that You will be with me always and that I will be strong to stay away from temptation. I pray that this fire I have for You will not be snuffed out. I know that following You isn't going to be easy but I pray that You carry me when I am feeling lost and that You continue to remind me of Your love and why I am here. I also want to pray for those around me; my family, my community here, my friends back home, and my readers. I pray that You watch over them and that they can also experience Your love and be inspired to follow and be willing to obey what awesome things You have planned for them. I pray that those who don't know You or have been hurt will not turn away and that their hearts be softened to hear the truth. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Also, I read Proverbs 8 Friday night, and 9 Saturday. Proverbs 9 tells the difference between Lady Wisdom and a 'simple woman'.
"Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says, "Come eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight." [...] For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.
Proverbs 9:4-6 (Lady Wisdom speaking), 11
Folly is an unruly woman; she is simple and knows nothing. [...] "Let all who are simple come to my house!" To those who have no sense she says, "Stolen water is sweet; food eaten in secret is delicious!" But little do they know that the dead are there, that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
Proverbs 9:13, 16-17 (simple woman speaking), 18
No comments:
Post a Comment
Feel free to leave a comment.