Faith, Family

Our senior pastor would always warn us of trying to make a god out of money, being in Orange County. I believe it is a danger that anyone faces here in this country - with the relative ease of making money, it is very easy to make it your priority and forget the more important things in life. Today, the Lord taught me a lesson on this important aspect of my own life:

FAITH

Today's message was how Elizabeth and Zechariah were promised by the Lord a son after having grown old and barren. This was a fork in the road moment for them - they can either delight in the Lord's promise (to finally give them a son) or to doubt it - to rationalize that it is impossible at their age. Zechariah specifically chooses to doubt, which caused the angel Gabriel to prevent Zechariah from speaking until the child is born.

Like Zechariah, we have many questions about God and His promises for our life: Is it true? Is it possible? Am I too old? Am I good enough? Why me? Will You really do it, Lord?...and some of these questions get answered, and some of these questions do get answered.

But towards the end of Zechariah's story, the Lord gives them a son and Zechariah can now speak as the angel Gabriel has promised.

We may have a lot of questions right now: Lord, will I ever get out of this? Lord, do you really answer prayers? Lord, do you really love me? Lord, do you even hear my prayers?...but even though these questions get answered or not, one thing holds true - that if there is only one thing in this world that we can rest on and trust upon, it is the Lord's promises for our life.

I had a great opportunity to share my own faith testimony to a friend today. I have shared the moments when I have doubted Him and yet the Lord has delivered His promises far greater than I could ever think He could. And it is my prayer that everyone would be encouraged to just trust in the Lord - whether the scene looks stormy, or fuzzy, or hazy - the Lord calms the winds in your life and provides you shelter from your storm.

FAMILY

Thanks to a cousin, I watched a heart-warming video of relatives today who had grieved for the loss of a loved one. Today, I also got an opportunity to share with my friend the love that we have for our families, and how important they are - how each time together is a treasure, how each moment is a memory, and how each one is a gift from God.

With all these, I realized today that despite my doubt, one of the most important things in life is that we have faith in the Lord and that we should rest in His promises - which are true, which He would deliver.

Also, I realized that no matter how much the Lord gives (or takes away) material blessings from you, and although this is a part of His promise - to provide for you - the other most important thing is family, and that we love them.

Have a blessed day!