21 weeks until we return to Toronto. Just over 5 months. 147 days.
Words cannot even begin to express how excited I am to return to Canada and share the Gospel with the people in Toronto, the world’s most diverse city. I was so blessed to be able to go to Toronto for 5 days in May, and the Lord showed me so much during that brief visit. God began to challenge me to live boldly for Him and to live intentionally as His ambassador in my daily life. I wish I could sit down and tell you everything that we did and experienced in Toronto, and share with you all of the amazing things that God has been teaching me since then. But, for now, I will just share a few of the key experiences and lessons that I learned while I was in Canada.
When we were in Toronto, we were able to learn about different cultures and religions that were prominent in the area. It was so eye opening. We were privileged to hear the testimonies of several former Muslims and Hindus. The power of God in their lives is so apparent! They live each day yearning to glorify God, accepting everything as a gracious gift from the Father. It is so invigorating. It really challenged me to live with that same attitude, and to seek out opportunities to tell others about Christ. After learning about other religions and hearing testimonies from former Muslims and Hindus, we took a trip to a Hindu temple in Toronto. It is one of the largest Hindu temples in the world and cost millions of dollars to build. We were able to walk around the temple and then through a museum that outlined the history of the Hindu religion. When we were in the temple, we were able to look around at the decorations. We had been told that the walls were all hand-carved and imported from India. As I looked around at the walls of the temple, I was blown away. Not by the intricate art work, but by the astounding number of idols represented. The walls were covered from floor to ceiling with carvings of different idols. There were also columns through out the temple covered in idols. Hindus worship 330 million gods. Take a second for that to sink in. 330 million. I can’t even fathom how many that is! That visit to the Hindu temple really slapped me in the face with the reality of the world’s need for the Gospel. There are so many lost people out there who need to know the love of Christ and the saving power of His Name! I need to be out there declaring the Truth of the Gospel whenever I get the chance. Am I living my life in such a way that glorifies God?
For the past 21 years of my life, I haven’t really been living my daily life conscious of the fact that we are fighting a spiritual battle. You guys- this is real. What we do here- the way we represent Christ, how often we sharing the Gospel, how our lives demonstrate the transforming power of the Cross- that echoes for eternity. When people look at us and follow us, are we leading them to Christ? Or are we merely glorifying ourselves? God really convicted me of that in Canada. It is so easy for me to share the Gospel with boldness when I am away on a mission trip. But once I get back, I will slip back in to my normal, daily routine. I won’t be searching for opportunities to share the Gospel. God has really been convicting me of that recently and challenging me to live more intentionally. It has been so awesome to watch Him work in the past few weeks. He is so great, and He’s definitely been spoiling me by blessing me abundantly with opportunities to glorify Him through out these past few weeks.
I really challenge you guys to consider going to Toronto in December to share the Gospel with the people there. God has really given me a heart for Canada, and for the lost people there. Please prayerfully consider where God is leading you to go in the next few months, and who He wants you to share the Gospel with. Pray for opportunities to share the Gospel with those around you; I promise, God will not disappoint you!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
My friends are awesome.
I had such a long night at work tonight.
As I thought back on my night after I got home, I was wondering why tonight in particular seemed so bad. There were a few things that it could have been...the two people I was working with were not doing their fair share of the work. Most of the night it seemed like it was me doing all of the work; I would be taking orders, but no one would be making the drinks. Then, when I went to make the drinks, it seemed like no one would be taking orders. It was definitely frustrating.
But that wasn't the reason I had such a bad night. I haven't really been able to figure it out until just now.
Tonight I really realized how truly broken our world is. I am desperately trying to be a light for Christ in my work place. I try to represent Him well. Some ways I do that is by working diligently and doing my best to do my job well. I was also recently blessed enough to have some awesome Jesus conversations with two of my co-workers, and I've been making some progress at building a positive relationship with the agnostic cook (who apparently hates everyone). All of this happened on Wednesday. Tonight, however, was quite a different experience. I was so stoked after work on Wednesday, and I think tonight I was under some serious spiritual attack. Satan is not pleased that God is starting to penetrate into Aroma's.
Tonight was different than any other night I have worked at Aroma's. I know that my co-workers are lost, and God has definitely been opening my eyes to the world's need for a Savior. But tonight was like a punch to the gut. It was so hard to listen to some of the things my co-workers were talking about and watch them do some of the things they were doing. We lead such different lives! One of my co-workers was flirting with some guy she's recently been involved with, and the other one was off sending dirty texts to his boyfriend. My heart was just aching over our brokenness. We are all so desperately in need of a Savior! It was surprisingly difficult for me.
Also, we had quite a different crowd tonight. I usually work in the mornings, so I typically deal with customers who are on their way to work, or are business people from the area. Tonight was not quite the same demographic. Most people were still very friendly, but then we had the occasional customer who was not quite so polite. We had a few guy customers that were not quite as respectful as the guys that I usually hang out with. It wasn't anything particularly appalling; it was just so different than what I am used to. I didn't realize how quickly I came to expect that guys would be respectful!
In high school I was very used to guys being...less than chivalrous. I actually came to expect it. Then I came to college. The guys I hang out with now are such awesome men of God. I seriously have some of the best guy friends a girl could ask for. I have just come to realize how much I take them for granted. But, if you guys are reading this- thank you so much for being respectful. It really means a lot. It is such a refreshing change of pace, and so different from most guys our age.
One guy I was talking to at work the other day was staring at these girls. When I asked him what he was doing, he said he was “window shopping.” Just looking to enjoy the view, maybe try on a few things, but not interested in buying anything. He said that “its a guy thing.” With out even thinking I replied, “Not the guys I hang out with. They're very respectful.” I am so blessed to not have to worry about that when I hang out with my friends! They don't look at women as items to be gawked at; they value us a God's creation. I am so thankful for that.
I really started to see this recently, especially when I was in Toronto. A few of the neighborhoods we were in were not in the best part of town, so it wasn't really safe for a girl to be walking around all alone. The guys were so great about making sure that we had an “escort” when we went somewhere. It was so great to know that they were looking out for us, and they were there to protect us if we needed it.
The other day, I was walking with a friend of mine. We were walking through the parking lot, and he moved to walk on the side by the cars because “there are some crazy drivers...just to be safe.” No one has ever done that for me before! I was completely taken aback. I didn't even know how to respond. I am so blessed to have friends like that! It really helps remind me of how God created community to be. It is something that is encouraging, not draining.
When I got off of work, I was craving that community. I called my room mate and asked if we could please do something with a group of our friends when I got back from work, even though it was 11 pm. Some of our friends came over to play some games, and I can't even tell you how encouraging it was just to be able to hang out with them. They are such awesome people. It was such a great change of pace from the rest of my night. I am so thankful for their friendship, and am so grateful to God for opening my eyes to the blessing that He has given me in their friendship. So, to all my lady friends- thanks for being awesome and low drama. You girls are great, and such a blessing! Guy friends- thanks SO much for being respectful, protective, and chivalrous. The world needs more guys like you.
As I thought back on my night after I got home, I was wondering why tonight in particular seemed so bad. There were a few things that it could have been...the two people I was working with were not doing their fair share of the work. Most of the night it seemed like it was me doing all of the work; I would be taking orders, but no one would be making the drinks. Then, when I went to make the drinks, it seemed like no one would be taking orders. It was definitely frustrating.
But that wasn't the reason I had such a bad night. I haven't really been able to figure it out until just now.
Tonight I really realized how truly broken our world is. I am desperately trying to be a light for Christ in my work place. I try to represent Him well. Some ways I do that is by working diligently and doing my best to do my job well. I was also recently blessed enough to have some awesome Jesus conversations with two of my co-workers, and I've been making some progress at building a positive relationship with the agnostic cook (who apparently hates everyone). All of this happened on Wednesday. Tonight, however, was quite a different experience. I was so stoked after work on Wednesday, and I think tonight I was under some serious spiritual attack. Satan is not pleased that God is starting to penetrate into Aroma's.
Tonight was different than any other night I have worked at Aroma's. I know that my co-workers are lost, and God has definitely been opening my eyes to the world's need for a Savior. But tonight was like a punch to the gut. It was so hard to listen to some of the things my co-workers were talking about and watch them do some of the things they were doing. We lead such different lives! One of my co-workers was flirting with some guy she's recently been involved with, and the other one was off sending dirty texts to his boyfriend. My heart was just aching over our brokenness. We are all so desperately in need of a Savior! It was surprisingly difficult for me.
Also, we had quite a different crowd tonight. I usually work in the mornings, so I typically deal with customers who are on their way to work, or are business people from the area. Tonight was not quite the same demographic. Most people were still very friendly, but then we had the occasional customer who was not quite so polite. We had a few guy customers that were not quite as respectful as the guys that I usually hang out with. It wasn't anything particularly appalling; it was just so different than what I am used to. I didn't realize how quickly I came to expect that guys would be respectful!
In high school I was very used to guys being...less than chivalrous. I actually came to expect it. Then I came to college. The guys I hang out with now are such awesome men of God. I seriously have some of the best guy friends a girl could ask for. I have just come to realize how much I take them for granted. But, if you guys are reading this- thank you so much for being respectful. It really means a lot. It is such a refreshing change of pace, and so different from most guys our age.
One guy I was talking to at work the other day was staring at these girls. When I asked him what he was doing, he said he was “window shopping.” Just looking to enjoy the view, maybe try on a few things, but not interested in buying anything. He said that “its a guy thing.” With out even thinking I replied, “Not the guys I hang out with. They're very respectful.” I am so blessed to not have to worry about that when I hang out with my friends! They don't look at women as items to be gawked at; they value us a God's creation. I am so thankful for that.
I really started to see this recently, especially when I was in Toronto. A few of the neighborhoods we were in were not in the best part of town, so it wasn't really safe for a girl to be walking around all alone. The guys were so great about making sure that we had an “escort” when we went somewhere. It was so great to know that they were looking out for us, and they were there to protect us if we needed it.
The other day, I was walking with a friend of mine. We were walking through the parking lot, and he moved to walk on the side by the cars because “there are some crazy drivers...just to be safe.” No one has ever done that for me before! I was completely taken aback. I didn't even know how to respond. I am so blessed to have friends like that! It really helps remind me of how God created community to be. It is something that is encouraging, not draining.
When I got off of work, I was craving that community. I called my room mate and asked if we could please do something with a group of our friends when I got back from work, even though it was 11 pm. Some of our friends came over to play some games, and I can't even tell you how encouraging it was just to be able to hang out with them. They are such awesome people. It was such a great change of pace from the rest of my night. I am so thankful for their friendship, and am so grateful to God for opening my eyes to the blessing that He has given me in their friendship. So, to all my lady friends- thanks for being awesome and low drama. You girls are great, and such a blessing! Guy friends- thanks SO much for being respectful, protective, and chivalrous. The world needs more guys like you.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
I have a love-hate relationship with TV...
For the past month, I’ve been on summer break. CNU’s fall semester doesn’t start again until the end of August, so I still have almost 3 more months off from school. It has definitely been great to have some free time and so much time to relax. I was blessed enough to be able to go to the beach for a week with one of my roommates, and then able to go on a mission trip to Toronto, Canada for a week. Also, I recently started a job, so that has given me something to do for a few days of the week.
But I still have so much time! It’s a little ridiculous to be honest. God has really been challenging me to be intentional with my time and be sure that I am using it wisely; it sounds much easier than it is. I have so much free time, which is an AMAZING blessing, and I am definitely trying to use this free time while I have it. But it is so tempting for me to waste my time! Some days, I will just want to wake up and just veg out in front of the TV for most of the day. But how is that contributing to the Kingdom? How is that beneficial? I am not growing, I am not pursuing God, and I am not telling others about God. I’ve really been convicted of how I’m using my time. I’m not saying that I need to constantly be reading my Bible or doing evangelism. What I’m saying is that I need to be more intentional. It’s okay to relax. God even put having a Sabbath in his Top Ten! We all need to take time to rest- that’s Biblical. However, we also need to be active! There is a time for each.
At church on Sunday, the pastor was talking about rest. He mentioned how people often swing between the two extremes; some people work ALL the time and never take a vacation. But then some people just relax all the time, and need to get to work! I am trying to find that balance. Right now, I have so much free time that it is very tempting for me to be the person that relaxes all day. But I need to get to work! It may not be in the form of a 9-5 job (I only work part time), but I can be working for God’s glory. He maintains very flexible hours ;)
So I’m trying to find things to do to be using my time wisely and for the glory of God. I’m trying to start blogging a bit more to help me reflect on all of the things God has been teaching me. I’m also hoping to be able to volunteer more in the community. Tomorrow I start volunteering with Mission Day Star at Liberty Baptist. I’m so stoked to see how God is going to move! Please let me know if you know of any other awesome opportunities or have any cool ideas of ways to use my time. It’s much more difficult than I thought it would be to find things to do with my free time.
But I still have so much time! It’s a little ridiculous to be honest. God has really been challenging me to be intentional with my time and be sure that I am using it wisely; it sounds much easier than it is. I have so much free time, which is an AMAZING blessing, and I am definitely trying to use this free time while I have it. But it is so tempting for me to waste my time! Some days, I will just want to wake up and just veg out in front of the TV for most of the day. But how is that contributing to the Kingdom? How is that beneficial? I am not growing, I am not pursuing God, and I am not telling others about God. I’ve really been convicted of how I’m using my time. I’m not saying that I need to constantly be reading my Bible or doing evangelism. What I’m saying is that I need to be more intentional. It’s okay to relax. God even put having a Sabbath in his Top Ten! We all need to take time to rest- that’s Biblical. However, we also need to be active! There is a time for each.
At church on Sunday, the pastor was talking about rest. He mentioned how people often swing between the two extremes; some people work ALL the time and never take a vacation. But then some people just relax all the time, and need to get to work! I am trying to find that balance. Right now, I have so much free time that it is very tempting for me to be the person that relaxes all day. But I need to get to work! It may not be in the form of a 9-5 job (I only work part time), but I can be working for God’s glory. He maintains very flexible hours ;)
So I’m trying to find things to do to be using my time wisely and for the glory of God. I’m trying to start blogging a bit more to help me reflect on all of the things God has been teaching me. I’m also hoping to be able to volunteer more in the community. Tomorrow I start volunteering with Mission Day Star at Liberty Baptist. I’m so stoked to see how God is going to move! Please let me know if you know of any other awesome opportunities or have any cool ideas of ways to use my time. It’s much more difficult than I thought it would be to find things to do with my free time.
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