"I will be with you"
If there’s anything I learn about Christianity is that it’s not pain-free. Nah-ah. Especially when you’ve walked through this journey for a while. Christianity didn’t consist of the self-help books with the so-called-titles like : “7 ways to be forever happy” or “The keys of happiness”. Christianity is so much more than that. There were times when I asked to myself, God why did this happen to me. I didn’t blame Him, though, but sometimes I got lost in the sea of self-pity and no matter how many people were there beside me, either best friends, family, sisters or brothers in Christ ….. no matter how they said that it was going to be okay, I always felt like I was alone …… I felt lonely. And too many people left me that made me never believe that someone would actually stay.
But, you see, the first thing I learn is the fact God didn’t say it will be easy. Nope. We live in the broken world. But one thing that He promised : you don’t have to go all alone. In fact, all this time you’ve never walked alone.
In Psalm 23 David didn’t say that he didn’t have enemies, he said God prepares the table before him even in the front of his enemies. David said that even though he walks in the darkest valley, he will fear no evil. He didn’t worry. So it doesn’t matter whether it’s a field of grass of if it’s a dark valley, what matters is the fact that God’s with you.
And I read few times that when God promised something to His people, He also promised that He will be with them, when God sent people to do something, He also promised that He will be with them :
- To Isaac : That night the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.” - Genesis 26:24
- To Moses : And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” - Exodus 3:12
- To Joshua : Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9
- To Gideon : The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive. - Judges 15:16
And it’s the same God, the same Almighty God who created the universe, who led the Israel out of the Egypt, the same God who has been faithful to Joseph, Esther, Nehemiah, and all. The same God who has been faithful throughout the 20 years of UPH, is the same God who will hold your hand today and walk with you. As I’ve said it before, I didn’t say that it would be easy but God promised that even though in the deep waters, through the fire, or through the rivers, He will be with you (Isaiah 43). When I submitted the form to be the head honestly I was afraid. I couldn’t see the whole stairs, only just the first step. Ci Jess sent this to me :
‘You are my servant’; I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’
- Isaiah 41:9-10
“But Lord, I’m afraid”
“Lord, I can’t see!”
“Lord, it’s hard.”
“Lord, what if…”
“Hey, I will be with you"
As last week in the plywood night I’ve talked to Bu Ban just before the session about God’s faithfulness how I look back and see that even though I never deserve it, God is faithful. Even though I tried to ran, He still remains faithful. On the commissioning prayer she read the chapter from the Joshua 1 to Chelsea and I. And now I’m telling you guys, I do believe that it’s not coincidence that God has brought you here. It’s amazing how few months ago, some of you are completely strangers to me. But God has brought us here to be a family, even though sometimes you can see that there are people who are more annoying than the other, of maybe even I, as a leader do something that will disappoint you….. well, God has brought us here, to learn together, to walk together, to grow together.
I gotta say that it wasn’t easy, and if I went through the past few months, it is only by the grace. The road in front of us won’t get any easier, but He promises that He will be with us. I believe that when God already called you into something He will equip and He will never leave. I believe that if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Now, begin to see that you don’t walk through this alone. You have us. You have me. You have God. Don’t quit only for temporary reasons. Don’t be disappointed just because the situation is not the way you expected it. Don’t be disappointed just because of what someone did or did not do to you. Remember why you were here at the first place. Remember what it’s all about. Ask God to enlarge the capacity, to process you, to mold you, shape you, into what He has planned for you. Don’t settle for the shallowness, go deeper, be deeper, sink deeper.
Don’t you want after our period is finish you don’t stay the same way you’ve entered but grow into better person, whose life is changed? Don’t settle only for the “happy” parts, but find joy even if you have to suffer, praise even when you don’t feel like it.
Stay strong and we’re definitely going to finish this race together!
(What I've shared to my kids 1-2 weeks ago)
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