It’s been 1.5 months since I posted last time. Truly, my life is full of God’s grace during Dec 17 and Jan 18…! Transition to a new year is the time to reflect the whole past year and count all the blessings; time to rest in God and carry out the vision in line with God’s plan. ?
On Dec 28, I went to the Vision Conference in Baltimore with a group of students from IFI Friday night bible study. Looking back to the 5-days journey there, I felt so blessed and encouraged that I made the decision to go with the students. During Nov 17, I was hesitating to attend, because I was overwhelmed by the work stress and personal emotions. My desire to be alone and comfortable was battling with the desire of being with students. I know my passion is to spend time with students and to share Gospel, but I was tempted to be me-center. As Paul said in Romans 7:18: “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” But the good news is that we can hear from God through Holy Spirit because of Jesus. That is the promise from God for us to be in line with His plan and will. While I was praying for the students in the Bible study group, I heard from God saying that “Don’t be afraid. Go, and I will be with you.” Then I know that I was again focusing on my ability and inadequacy, but God helps me focus on His will and promises.
During the conference, I got to experience Father’s marvelous love and grace. This was one of a few times that I have celebrated the new year with so many people. While I was young, my parents were busy with work in different cities, and I got used to separating with the family during Chinese new year when people are supposed to spend time with who you love. For me, I can sense more feeling of loneliness during the holiday season. God revealed all these feelings to me while I was making the decision to go and during the conference, and healed me completely with His words, love, and his grace. How wonderful was it to celebrate a new year with whole-hearted worship and gratitude towards Jesus? A night after a track session, a student told me that she felt like I was always with joy and smiles, and it seems like I was always enjoying what I was doing. I was so grateful to share my testimony with her at that night. Praise the Lord and thank you, Jesus! You are the living water in our life. “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling to eternal life.” (John 4:14)
Here we go, 2018. May we all start a new year with a heart full of gratitude towards Jesus, with a focus on God’s commandments and promises, and with a clear vision of what God in store for us!