refreshing - like a warm steamy shower after a stressful day of classes or clinic, or a perfect cool glass of mojito, or the feeling after you brush your teeth with a super minty toothpaste
reoriented - like when you get out of a subway station and you don't know which way's north, south, east or west but someone just points you the right way
Two things that struck me at this summit:
1) History
The history of our church - HMCC of Chicago - needs to be passed down to the next generation (younger members). Psalm 145:4 - One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. God is writing a unique story in our church and working in a unique way. And it'll be important that we don't forget our roots and even the things God had done in the beginning years, especially the lessons he's taught us. This is so that the younger members can praise God & not make the same mistakes. "...so the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands" - Psalm 78
Related to this is also knowing the history of the Church as Christians. It is important to know how the Church has evolved, since it's beginnings - when it was called The Way - back in Jerusalem to where it is now, with the many denominations. It is pretty cool to see how each group has contributed something to the faith. And it's important to not just see the negative side - like crusades, legalism, church & state, etc - because even through the darkest moments, God worked and wrote that into the history of his imperfect bride, the church. As we know our roots and history, we can better sense how God is moving today.
2) Holiness
Second thing - Even though God gives us a glimpse of what is to come, it does not guarantee that we will fully see it one day. This to me is a scary thought. Because even if we desire to see it, it may not happen. Look to the example of one of the most humble man to ever walk the earth, Moses: Moses saw a glimpse of the promised land, but he was not able to enter it - due to disobedience! disobedience. And how much do I disobey! As God is preparing me (our church), I realize I can't live the same-old way all the time. Pet sins have to go. Sin has to become my enemy and not my secret lover, that's the power of the cross - because it allows that change to happen in me, when nothing in me desires it.
God wants greater holiness. Hebrews 12:14 - ...without holiness no one will see the Lord. Scripture says no one will see the Lord without holiness. I know holiness is not something that I strive for or even is on the top of my mind. Actually, holiness sometimes is not seen in a "positive" light because it's associated to some hypocritical/fake/holier-than-thou sort of practice. But as I see older men & women who have walked with the Lord, and who exemplify great faith (like Uncle George Chavannikamanil, Dr. Timothy Tennent, Pastor M & MJ, etc), I can see that they strive to live a life that is holy. And it is so refreshing to see their example, it gives me such hope! Peter 1:16 - for it is written "be holy as I am holy". And so, even when I prayed about growing in my faith earlier this year, God gave me the words holy and set apart. I was reminded of that this weekend. He gave me the word & He will work in my heart as I submit myself to him. He will be the one pruning away the things in my life that don't bear fruit. Even just this past quarter, he's revealed the ugliness of my heart - insecurity, identity, laziness, discontent, and lack of love. This is part of the process of being refined I think, as I ask God to change my heart.
a song that will never grow old:
create in me a clean heart, o God
and renew a right spirit within me
cast me not away
from thy presence o Lord
and take not, thy Holy Spirit from me
restore unto me
the joy of salvation
and renew a right spirit within me
I am super excited that I'm on break now. Many reflections that were needed, but were put on the shelf for a time like now. There were also many books that I've been wanting to read, although I wouldn't be too sad if I didn't get to all of them. Just gotta finish Knowing God, Death by Love, & Religion saves and nine other misconceptions. Prayer, fasting, and resting time scheduled in too of course :)
Goood niight!
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