This Is My Story, part I.
In a few weeks, I’ll be turning into an age that I’ve been looking forward to for a while. And as it usually goes around this time, I automatically go into reflection mode.
This year’s reflection mode, however, is in extra high gear since I’m in a major transition phase ministry-wise, academic-wise, and life-wise. The confluence of these things have in fact put me somewhat in constant reflection since… Oh I dunno … summertime? It’ll probably last until next year.
I understand that transitions and life uncertainties can be stressful, but at this juncture, stress is the polar opposite of my experience. The words I’d describe this phase are excitement, possibilities, and believe it or not, fun. I’m exhausted, but I’m having fun. And I’m grateful. So grateful that I feel like the luckiest girl in the world, except luck is a misnomer, since all good things in my life are given to me by Him “whom my soul loves.”
It’s not to my credit that these things are so. I have a God, and He has been kind to me. My path has not been trouble-free, but I am clay in the potter’s hand, a vessel in the making, silver being refined, and that makes all the difference. I think God is bringing me toward something, a distinct purpose, of which I don’t know yet but I’m getting closer to it.
I’ve been counting my blessings and concluded that I am tremendously and immensely blessed. So with this post, I’ll begin a series of testimonies of how my life has changed. These are not particular incidents, but the overarching narratives of years of transformation.
Oftentimes this generic phrase is used in personal, faith-related testimonies, “God came into my life, and He turned my life around.” What I want to do is spell out just how exactly God has turned mine around.
For me, this reconstruction is deeper than behavioral; it’s in the level of personality, worldview, life philosophy, and the lens through which I perceive people. I’ll pay tribute to the friends I’ve gained, those whom I probably would never come to know if not for my conversion. And of course, I’ll pay tribute to my family and my late father, whose character traits I’ve discovered to be present in me more and more as I grow up. Though my time with him is cut short, I’m so thankful to have been trained, brought up, and loved by him.
In a book by one of my favorite authors, he says, “there are no proofs for the existence of the God of Abraham. There are only witnesses.” (Heschel, The Prophets, p. 27) Well, I am a witness, and I’m unashamed to declare it.
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I’d say wealth is in the contented heart. The currency of my life consists of friendships, service, learning, wonder, and moments of reflection. Of these I have many. God has made me rich.
Josephine,
This is one of the better bits of writing I’ve seen in this vein by an Adventist. Not many of us know about Heschel, I’d love to know how you came across his work.
God bless you!
@theomusicologist Thanks so much for dropping by and for the kind words! I first knew about Heschel from a friend’s recommendation for one of his books, The Sabbath. I was blown away by his writing, and that book remains one of my favorites. I’ve read a few of his other works, and continued to appreciate his writing.
Ah yes…someone (or something) has to open a door! Well, as you seem to be both a genuine bibliophile and also someone who desires to know and understand what it is that you are reading, you will doubtless continue to make an impact on those within your sphere of influence.
To be rich in non-material things – and especially spiritual things – is to be rich indeed. Genuine gratitude is in short supply, even in God’s church where one would reasonably expect folk to not take His blessings for granted.
Good times, and all the best with this journey-of-discovery-meets-giant-phase-of-transition! I shall be intrigued to see where you end up!
Thanks for the encouragement! I’m curious to see where I end up as well!
Looking forward to reading more!
@scubaskim Thank you!
Aww.. thanks, Sarah!
You just made me tear up…already. Looking forward to the rest of the series~