Thankful for Opportunities

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18

Just a days ago my dad's cousin moved to Chicago from Taiwan with his wife and two boys, one 17 and the other 13 years old. We had a great time reconnecting with them and all our relatives during our Thanksgiving dinner today. My cousin, Leo, and I shared some of the challenges we faced as kids integrating into American schools, such as learning to make new friends, how to open the lockers, and deciding where to sit on the school bus. Somehow through these silly anecdotes, I was reminded of how thankful I am of my parents' decision to move our family to the U.S. to give my sister and I the opportunities we have today.

One of those opportunities was attending church for the first time with my aunt and uncle when I was in third grade, which led to a series of other opportunities to ask questions like "what is the trinity?", "what is the purpose of life?", "who is Jesus?", and "what is grace?" In the year following, I attended my very first retreat (well, at least that I can remember) called "Foolishness" with 1 Corinthians 1:18 as theme. After asking all the questions I could think of about God and getting most of them answered, I was confronted with, yet, another opportunity: to decide whether I considered the cross as foolishness or truly the power of God.

Thirteen years later, I am confronted with that decision again.... and again, and again, and even now. This confrontation exists because I choose my thoughts, my site, my words, my actions every second of my life (thank you Lord for the opportunity to choose). However, my choices are often influenced by my lust, my pride, and selfishness.

Confession: Prior to writing this post, I chose to spend 7200 seconds of my life feeding my lustful cravings. In those 7200 seconds, I did not consider the cross as foolish, but I decided that the cross did NOT have the power to save me. I was lost and did not want to be saved.

"I want to die longing to see the face of Christ.
But I know I would not wish to see his face at my deathbed
if I do not wish to see his face right now."

Your words sent chills down my spine because truthfully, I don't want to see His face right now. Not like this; not while I'm in this condition. Like Adam and Eve, guilt and shame prompted me to hide from the Lord's face. But like God Himself, He sought after me the very next second I tried to hide and gave me, yet, another opportunity. Right now, Sherry, do you believe that the cross in which I demonstrated my love for you has the power to make our relationship right again? Do you believe that I died and rose so that in this very moment, you can return to me again and that shame and guilt can no longer keep us apart? Do you, Sherry Lin, believe that My distinct ability to love you and save you from your current condition is the viable demonstration of My power and glory?

Yes, Lord. Show me your glory. I want to see your face.

As I approach graduation in three weeks, I am thankful for all the opportunities God has given me to know Him more, to comprehend His love a bit more. Thankful that He chose me and for the ability to choose Him back, which can only come from Him. I pray that my newly-immigrated relatives can also embrace the opportunities they'll have to come to know Jesus, too.

Lessons learned and to be learned

All my own desires aside... Should I stay or should I go?

Lessons I learned in college:
- the church is the vehicle in which God chooses to transform communities/lives (Acts 2)
- God invites us to participate in His mission to redeem lives through evangelism and discipleship (Matt 28)
- God cares for me and wants me to know and enjoy Him daily (Psalms)
- ministry is about people, not tasks

What I want to learn before I graduate:
- prayer allows us to see God's work around us
- prayer ushers in the Kingdom of God and reveals the power of God to the world (Matt 6)