Finding Renewal in God

During the Thanksgiving weekend, my family and I went to Algonquin Park.  I was in aweof how beautiful and majestic the nature can be.  It also gave me insight on faith lessons.

Some of the greatest insight of nature were found along Two Rivers Trail.  This trail was filled with both older and younger plan species, which showed both the old and new generation of plants.  One fact that interested me the most was that the young plant started growing as a rewult of occurences that may be seen as "destructive" in human perspective.  I was also amazed by the idea of how wildlife could benefit from changes in nature after "destrructive" events, such as fire, in which wlidlife can find food and livelihood.

Afterall, how could faith lessons come from nature?  First, the theme of renewal reminded me how God has been working in every creation and the promise of bringing his good work to completion in Ephesians 1:6.  2 Corinthians 5:17 also came to me, which stated that "if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"  Another encouraging verse that came to me was 2 Corinthians 4:16, it said, "Therefore, we do not lose heart.  Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."  It further reminded me that God is continuously his creation, and leading his children closer to Him.  The theme of more good things would come after "destructive " force showed me that God is more than capable of "[working] for the good of those who love him" (Romans 8:28).

Servant in an "Upside-Down" Kingdom

 ²⁶ Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷ But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹ so that no one may boast before him. ³⁰ It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. ³¹ Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord." -- 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Wow! I am in awe of how God is more than willing to invite us into servanthood!  At least for me, I am not perfect, not the most experienced teacher, yet God is leading me to this upcomming missionary journey to serve as a teacher.  I feel previleged to have encouragement from fellow missionary who has told me about their confidence in their own child's education being taken care of, because of teachers who have the heart for God, along with some new opportunity to put my training as teacher into practice at tutoring and work as program instructor in the library.

I know that I need Him to lead me in my daily walk with Him and any service that God calls me to.  I need God to lead me to seek his wisdom, righteousness and holiness, so I can follow Him, the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).  I know that I need to be a humble and teachable servant, since God is the one who is competant, and He is the one who enable and empower his servant (2 Corinthians 3:5-6).
 
On a side note, it is really interesting to see the "upside-down kingdom" of God.

Please pray that I will seek Him, look up to Him, and follow Him all the time.  Let me not boast about me, but to let God be glorified.