Enjoy the seasons of humility -- God is preparing you for something awesome (Gen 50:20)

[Sang Won Sur]

Hey Guys,

 

I'm writing to encourage you all -- I know some are going through finals (though I also realize many of you are finishing up and starting up times of relief!); I know some of you are struggling with life, careers, relationships, etc. . .

 

Hang in there ~ and keep your trust in God. God always delivers, even though, at times, He may seem so far away.

 

 

For me, some how, I'm facing one of the toughest spiritual/physical/emotional seasons -- and I'm sure many of you can relate.

I just feel depressed, inadequate (not good enough), not able to relate with others, everything seems to be going wrong -- and I feel as if I'm getting stabbed by everyone, at work, at church, from friends . . .

 

At least I have a wife who stands by me. =) She's the best!!!

 

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If you are going through similar times right now, I encourage you to keep going and continue to trust in God. The other day, I was thinking about how Job (from the Book of Job) went through many years of confusion as even his friends attacked him saying how sinful and unrighteous Job is -- that he ought to repent of his sins to God. (In chapter one, there is a dialogue that shows Job did no wrong to God, but rather it was a time of testing for him)

 

Job was so broken -- he just lost everything he had: home, family, animals, health . . . at his broken times, it must have been so confusing for him (along with his friends making accusations against him) . . . . do you feel confused about life? about God? Maybe unsure of whether your life is going the right way? Am I living the life I ought to be living?

 

Where is God when I feel so troubled? God didn't show himself to Job when Job asked that question . . . but after some time, God came through. And God didn't come to save so that Job would be able to break out of the cocoon and come out refined and ready to be used for something awesome.

 

This is the time we ought to continue to cling to God as Job did . . . this was a time of testing, where God wanted to give more than what we began with. God had a plan, and wanted to fulfill it in Job -- and this heart-training-period was needed.

 

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Likewise, as GPS4Jesus, God has a special plan for all of us . . . . and that's for us to walk the narrow path. The narrow path always involves a "desert" (or more throughout our lives) --- through which we are refined by God, made humble, and transformed to do the work God has set apart for us.

 

So, if you are facing struggles right now -- continue to trust in God -- and be grateful for the times of trial . . . because it is through this struggle that God is able to use us in a mighty way.

 

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Moses, though Pharoah's son and could've held all the riches/power in the world, went to the desert -- he was then able to lead Israel to freedom

 

Jesus, though Son of God and probably could've done all things because He was God, went through the desert, then received the Holy Spirit -- through which He performed all miracles (Jesus, though God, didn't do anything supernatural we can't do!)

 

David, though he was favored by the people and probably could've overthrown King Saul, went through the desert and became the "Man after God's Own Heart"

 

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So, if you're in the desert now, rejoice and be grateful. God's going to do something awesome in your life when you get out. But be sure to not wing it, but make this time a devotion to God by trusting in Him. (send me an email if you're not sure how to trust or devote yourself to God -- we'll go through this journey together)

 

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I'll end with the result of Joseph's desert (being sold off by his brothers to become a slave then in prison):

 

You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people. (Gen 50:20 NLT)

 

Stay strong!

 

-Sang