Sunday, November 30, 2008

The point is being driven home


"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect."
-I Cor. 15:10

Heard a sermon today about the passage in John where Peter is asking Jesus about the fate of one of the other disciples. Jesus tells him in essence, "...what is that to you? You must follow Me." (John 21:22) Peter is comparing his path to the path of the other disciple. I was struck in the sermon by how often we compare our paths to others. It is a universal truth, everyone compares themselves to someone else, but we do not often think of it that way. We just tend to see it as noticing the state of their life or even "caring" sometimes. I am not saying it's bad to know about other people's lives and circumstances, I am just saying we should not start comparisons. I know, because I have been doing an abundant amount of comparing since I got to Daegu. This sermon also had a special place in my heart because it spoke of hardship again. I keep hearing many sermons on this, that life is not easy or glamorous. God is putting them in my midst probably because I am living in the middle of this truth. There is no hope in this life except for Jesus Christ and His gospel. "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect." I Cor. 15:10 Since arriving in Daegu, South Korea, I have been sick the majority of the time. For two weeks I had a sinus infection, then I had food poisoning the next weekend and threw up for 13 hours straight, and now I have bronchitis. God is constantly drilling into my head that He may not take away the hard things, but I must follow Him. I look forward to the day that we are restored in Heaven with perfect bodies, and no sin.  My hope is towards Heaven and Christ. Nothing else can satisfy. He has been graciously bringing people into my life to encourage me, and surround me over the past week. I now have a Bible study, and friends that I grow in Christ with, who will pour into me/vice versa. This is the beginning of my third month, and these first months have been nothing short of amazing, discouraging, and mainly draining. I keep on hearing that after 3 months it picks up. I think as of this last week, it has finally started to come around. In the middle of these hard times that are getting better, I remember that it is by God's grace that I know Him, and that I am here. I never would have said Daegu was God's grace in my life a week ago, but now I am seeing that everywhere He takes me is by His grace. He leads me on His path for me, and all I can do is ask for grace to face what He has in store for me. All I can do is follow Him. Pray that I would do the like and nothing further.

3 comments:

Call me Katie said...

Thanks for always sharing your heart with us Julia! I feel like we get to live life with you there in Korea. I'm grateful for you and praying for you!

Lauren said...

i miss you friend! i am sorry you have been so sick - no fun! you have a wonderful attitude about it though, very inspiring! you are so right about comparing ourselves to others - it is dangerous an no good ever comes of it, yet we all do it!

i hope it does get better soon :)

reeders said...

That is so crazy that you heard a sermon on that passage, becuase right around the same time, I heard one on that same passage! I don't think i had ever read that verse before, and it really struck me in the same way...I am continually comparing myself to someone, and I find myself doing so sometimes, because I am seeking comfort, that I am okay, because I am not as bad as that person...that's just so wrong...God is starting to change my attitude, and I am encouraged by your little reminder!!...amd I am SO glad to hear that you have a group of people, a community! I will continue to pray that the relationships only grow deeper with each other as they grow deeper with the LORD!...Love!