Step It Up

Usually, when I am asked to do something, I am usually not so hesitant, but this week, I have been given these huge roles that I had to do and I honestly was nervous to do them all. Here some of things I had to do this past week: lead one of the campus ministries, do the Big Wave message, have the final decision on buy some expensive things (sound equipment), fixing things, explaining specific things to people, etc. Not that they were bad, I learned so much from it all, but it was just a little nerve-wracking… haha.

I honestly did learn a lot and one person I would really like to thank for teaching me so much is my Dad. I think if it weren’t for all those times I followed him everywhere and helped him out with things at work or at church, I wouldn’t have been able to do half the things I do now. 아빠, I know I always complained and wondered why I had to follow you or do things that seemed like I was no use, but I think I understand now that it was for me to watch and learn from what you are good at, so thank you.

I have been talking with some of Jesus Soldiers about sometimes we feel like on Wednesday, Fridays or Sundays we need to get things done and totally forget about the whole purpose of those days—to give God worship. Yes, we have our responsibilities, but we need to be doing it out of an overflow of love, energy, and time we put into it. Not just fill ourselves up to the brim and empty it out after, but to give from the overflow of our hearts. I know we all have it in us to really pour out our hearts into what we do, but sometimes we get caught up in trying to get things done first and realizing after how we have been doing ministry.

We also talked about how nice it is to be in a “small group” or “cell group.” I know Covenant doesn’t really have this system within the youth or gD, but the times when we do get together and talk about God or our lives in a deep way, I feel so blessed to be a part of that church. I just wish we could do more of that. We have no problem fellowshipping, but I want to be able to talk about anything and everything with my fellow brothers (sisters too, but maybe not everything. Hahha) in Christ! Even within the Jesus Soldiers here, I feel like we can talk about stuff we can’t normally talk about with just normal people. It’s nice, and I hope to bring something like this back to the States with me.

Wow, lots to talk about, but here will be the last 2 things I will talk about.

First one is we had a Jesus Soldier “welcome Sarah and Deoni” breakfast/fellowship time. We went to a beef-bowl (Sukiya) place and just chilled, talked and enjoy our time together. Pastor Katsuya treated us out, which was very nice of him. I think he wants to do more of these kinds of things more often. Good time to get to know the pastor as well as each other, and have fun at the same time.

Second, the highlight of the week: Big Wave message. I give much props to pastors who have to do this once a week, some more than once a week. Amazing. I actually have done a message before at CUMC, but this one I tried my best to write something that was for me first, because if I don’t follow what I say, then what is the point of listening to me. God really has been teaching me about taking risks and trusting that He will come through for me. It might not be the way that I expected it to be, but it probably was better than that. All I could do is watch and be in awe. I was using the story of Jonathan and his armor-bearer (1 Samuel 14: 1-15). I really like Jonathan and how much faith he had in God. He knew that God will help him get victory over the Philistines, but didn’t know how it was going to happen. So he had to risk charging in to fight and keep at it until God did His thing. Yeah… there might be a video on Facebook coming up soon (the whole thing maybe, but if not…yeah. Haha)

Anyway, I learned a lot this week, and I know I need to keep learning and never be content with the knowledge of God that I have now, but to yearn to know more of Him. I need to step it up!! 



::Edit::

If you REALLY want to see my message, they just put it up.. here you go... I can't watch it, haha maybe when I have the guts, then I will later.

クリスチャンって素晴らしい：Risk and See God Move! from J-House on Vimeo.