Give Grace to those Who Hear (Eph4:29)

Hey guys. It's been a while.

Co-op has been amazing. School has been good. I'm taking a Chinese class now. Life is extremely busy. On the outside it could seem like everything is great, but really I need more time with God and to rest in Him.

I like to be in control and not take risks when I don't have to. I'm a coward.

And the weight of those words multiply so much when tomorrow I am giving a quick talk at Carleton P2C about what P2C+ conference was for me. I told MT about it last week when he asked and told him about the main speakers. About AP's message of the coming wrath and urgency to share the good news with those who don't know or haven't come to trust in Jesus for salvation. The urgency and reality that there is real wrath coming for all who have sinned and haven't accepted forgiveness in Christ. And about KM's message about being the answer to prayer. Which when I really reflected on it brought me back to Luke 11:23. Either we are the answer to prayer or we are not, either we are bringing people closer to Jesus or we're pushing them away.

And today is my normal day to meet up with MT and we talked for a bit then went sharing using the Perspective cards. We ended up talking to a guy, his girlfriend and another friend of theirs who identify as being muslim. They answered the questions and shared what they believe, and asked us some questions about the trinity and everything. The guy grew up going to church but thought it weird that they were supposed to be worshiping God, but instead only Jesus' name is praised.

At that time him and MT were talking and I don't remember where that conversation went. Maybe it was the custodian that asked us to move so he could clean and close the caf? But I ended up not sharing what the thought that had come to me, which seemed that it would be a good answer to his confusion.

The reason Jesus' name is so praised in the church is because of both who Jesus is and what He did. To realize that no one would be able to have that relationship with God without what Jesus did to pay for our sins, and to realize that it was God Himself who came down to our mess to pay for it. Without Jesus, no one would be able to experience God's goodness and to delight in Him, to prostrate oneself and live for God, potentially. But you would not see people living with God. Without the cross people are still sinful and God is still holy, separate from sin. By the cross and Jesus' death and resurrection we can be forgiven, made new in Him, and imputed with His righteousness so that we can come before God humbly, but now adopted as His beloved children.

But I didn't say that.

Where was my urgency? What was holding me back? Why couldn't I take a step of faith? He asked the question.

*sigh*

It's great to say I'll do it next time, but really if it is me doing it again by my strength. nope.

I've got to listen when God tells me things like that. I never regret saying something. Only what is not said do I ever regret.

May His Spirit give me boldness and may He draw me closer in relationship with Him.