For the Kingdom

I had an incredible experience a week ago at my church’s youth ministry event, Kingdom Project. I underwent many healthy spiritual shifts and grew close to many solid friends. Everyone left this summer camp so much more alive than before.

Out of everything I learned, the most significant concept that hit me was that God is so absolutely powerful, He can do wonders in everyone’s life that could be in no way considered accidental. This week revitalized my belief in true meaning and purpose. I have always believed that God has a destiny set up for every individual person, but I’ve never experienced it as deeply as I did just recently. I had such a genuine connection not only with Jesus but with others. Now all I can do is thank God for His orchestration in my life. It’s all real, His presence and His control. I have no other option but to believe that. And I also believe that He is a graceful, loving God who always wants me even when no one else does. It’s true for everyone. I could never be more grateful.

Also at Kingdom Project, I had the pleasure to help at an inner city VBS with the rest of the students at my church. I really bonded with those kids. They were definitely exposed to many things that a child shouldn’t experience, but they were nonetheless open to the Gospel, and deep down they were still innocent, as their hearts were partially untouched. What makes them so special and unique is that they are each children of God, specifically designed and ceaselessly loved by Him. I’m so glad I was able to share moments with them and hopefully make an impact.

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Photo Credit: David Thompson

Aside from the honor and joy of spending time with these children, I also made many unforgettable friends, and my relationship with Christ was strengthened by the encouragement of speakers, leaders, and worship. Prior to Kingdom Project, the foundation of my faith was gradually fading. I felt a considerable amount of dullness merely because I wasn’t putting everything I had into my faith. But He pulled me so close to Him, reminding me He’ll never let go. Last week’s influence on me exceeded my expectations by not only ensuring a strong foundation, but additionally by bringing my heart to a place where all I want is to do everything for the Kingdom. Jesus Christ is worth it.

Somewhere Else

It’s a brilliant feeling, taking a walk on a magical evening with her. Folks are leaving this time of year, always going somewhere else. From the beach to the mountains, and from the city to the lake, people enjoy vacation. It’s funny how our minds work. If we keep wishing enough, we’ll take action and crack open our shells simply to go from wherever we are to wherever we want to be. Some — the more introverted of us — seem to be prohibited to “crack open our shells” as often, simply because of our nature, as if it were an unwritten law. Shyness keeps a portion of us from ever physically experiencing some things. Every once in awhile we’ll escape, and not just in our minds, because life is indeed all about the risk. And I think it’s healthy to take a leap of faith in situations where we are seemingly confined from the rest of the world.

I can’t say it bothers me that I am the introvert in this scenario, for as long as she is with me, I have no worries of where I am. I’m satisfied with her company. She’s such a lovely lady with a kind face and pure eyes. I could never forget her. I regularly visit her abode just beyond the river because it’s only a quarter mile away and it stills feels like home. And here we are, taking a walk through the summertime woods. It’s a wonder — I never get any less shy around her, but then again, I’m not necessarily afraid of her either. It’s somewhat of a comforting thing, in a familiar way. She keeps my hand in hers always, to reassure her own safety. We continue to trudge over leaves until we reach the river, where I pick her up in my arms and walk across, through waist-deep water. Then I delicately place her back on her feet, as we near her porch. She looks at me with those remarkably precious eyes. I fall more and more with every breath. And I know it’s meant to be, that it’s supposed to happen, that no matter how hard I try to escape it, I belong with her. But reality hits me.

Suddenly I hear a gentle voice say, “Hello,” and I look up as my imagination abruptly fades like a popped balloon. It’s her — it’s truly her. We’re looking at each other in the midst of a crowd in line to see a film at the cinema. I know I have to take the risk, the leap of faith, so I reply, “Hi.” She smiles at me and my heart melts. Those unforgettable eyes stare right into mine. I know it’s meant to be, just as I imagined it. The future now holds many things. And this moment is the first time I’ve ever really talked to her. I’m always somewhere else.

Sunflowers

Her hair matches her yellow sundress and golden slippers. Her eyes are like crystals that mirror the bright springtime sky. His hair is combed back and he wears black suspenders and a burgundy bow tie. His eyes are like the ocean with waves that crash in evening.

They’re both too shy to ever muster any courage to talk to each other. Thus, God brings them together Himself, making the situation seem like an accident. He ties both of their stories together by putting them in the correct place in the precise time needed, making their worlds quite literally collide. They bump into each other strolling down a sidewalk in a small town. He apologizes abruptly and she blushes out of embarrassment. They both keep muttering until smiles appear on their faces, and the feeling in their hearts says it’s meant to be. They exchange names and after some awkward discussing, they’re off to their own separate lives again.

But here they are, alone, in a garden with wonderful plants of every sort. By some strange series of events, they crossed paths only a short time ago. When she looks in his confident eyes and he stares right back into hers, she knows it’s destiny. God alone, the very Creator of love, stands between them, binding them unwaveringly with beautiful and ceaseless pleasure.

As they continue their precious time together in the garden, he pulls her through foliage and leads her down a trail. There are trees around them with branches that act as an overhead covering all the way down the extensive path. He puts his hands over her eyes and slowly guides her to the end of the path. She bites her lip, trying keep from smiling too widely as he pulls his hands away, revealing a beautiful tropical beach with no people in sight. She can’t help but praise the Creator for the beautiful masterpiece. Before pulling her to the tide, he picks a bouquet of sunflowers from the garden’s end and weaves them into her hair. He laughs and admits to not being a very adequate braider of hair but she forgives him quickly. “Don’t be afraid to get soaked,” he says before they rush into the water and splash each other’s clothes, while the waves crash against their legs.

You’re probably thinking it’s the usual tale of romance, aren’t you? Believe or not, it isn’t that at all — because this one has something no other does: Love Himself, Jesus Christ, the source of all lasting joy, perfect peace, gifted wisdom and all that is good. He is love. That’s what makes the God-centered love story so remarkable.

Beauty Around You

This blog may or may not be of your interest. If you don’t agree with anything or I establish here, I will remind you it is not personal. I’m simply making a statement through biblical reasoning. I will begin by addressing the fact that some people refuse to admit the Creator and His creation. It doesn’t make sense to me that anyone would believe the universe is meaningless, when the mere act of “believing” itself requires there to be meaning. This life is far from pointless. There is so much to be, to do, to dream and to feel. You can’t rationally explain to me that it’s an “accident.” If anyone honestly has faith — and faith alone is proof of meaning — in the idea that everything has no significance, then that would make your friends, your family, your enemies, your emotions, the beauty around you, the vastness of space, your life and everything else, a total mistake, which you have previously confirmed by your own contradictory assertion to be impossible. If you catch the drift of my statement, I will move from here.

Consequently, the existence of God in this universe is so crystal clear to me, and I believe it should be apparent to others as well, looking from this point of view. Reality is so fragmented by the distortion of mankind’s own rebellion that it causes the best of us to lose sight of the true splendor it contains. In other words, yes this world is very flawed, but that’s only what we made it; and we must be devoted enough to look past all of our own imperfections in order to see of all God’s true righteousness.

I can concur with most of you by saying this life has many puzzling aspects — and that’s a given — because this life is only a glimpse of the full picture. By believing and trusting in Him with my life, I know I’ll get to one day see that full picture. It’s a gift to know Him in all His love, grace and glory. All it takes is faith. That’s it.

I can never say it enough. We are blessed beyond measure.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”

James 1:22-24

Eternity

I love not being able to grasp the dimension of heaven, God’s throne. It’s a beautiful thing to comprehend actually not being able to comprehend it, if that makes sense. It’s so captivating to think about but, at the sane time, impossible to wrap your mind around. Thankfully, we will understand one day if we trust in Him with the entirety of our hearts. He has prepared a place for those who accept His sacrifice of love to us.

All of the things to contemplate that heaven could be, far beyond the depths of our own complex but minuscule minds, are completely breathtaking. If the mere idea of eternal life can be so awe-inspiring, imagine how much more it is in reality. I think of streams of pure, running water. I think of trees with the sweetest, purest fruits and sunshine reflecting on every emerald leaf of every branch. I think of golden streets with the greenest of grass in the surrounding. I think of silver buildings in beautiful cities. I think of birds chirping with lovely melodies. I think of people, from all different former natures, gathered together as one, laughing, singing and forever worshiping the Heavenly Father. Most of all, I think of light — so blinding yet so warm, plentiful and brighter than anything we’ve seen — that makes you melt with pure joy, the Light being Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world and the Redeemer of the sinners. All of these descriptions obviously pale in comparison to what heaven really is because it is truly is perfect, unlike this world we reside in now. We are so flawed we can’t know what “perfect” really is until we see God in His full glory, and that’s the reason we must trust.

That’s why I must cling to the Cross so firmly. That’s why I must take deep breaths of this ever-changing air that surrounds me. That’s why I cannot hold onto anything dear to me except for King Jesus Christ. So will you take a chance? Will you be ready? It’s a crazy world. But believe me, your true home, the home that awaits you, completely surpasses this broken life. You have the splendid opportunity to experience Eternity, the place beyond the frozen past, the place that touches the living present, the place that holds the hopeful future. It’s in your reach.