Tuesday, January 08, 2008

"My Saviour, My God"-Aaron Shust




2008

Life can be tough, last year was probably the toughest year of my life. Dealing with health and school and very fortunate to be alive after a head on collision. Turning 21 this year! I have been through a lot. Losing a friend ( a year after losing a family member), had depression, emigrating and settling down in a foreign country that list will be probably go on...

Even though there has been hard times, slowly but surely I beginning to rejoice and praise God. Suffering is to be expected, after all "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me"(Mark 8:33-35). Paul says we should rejoice in our sufferings.

The year 2007 was great year. I grew in God's word. Funnily enough I have grown the most in times of affliction as opposed to times of joy (Switchfoot concert last year, mission trips, camps, traveling,skydiving, skiing, friendships,family, holidays etc). This year is going to be even tougher. The aftermath of school in '07 I have to deal with now in '08. Returning to UBC-O was the lowest I felt. It is easier to quit and move on and I have considered and explored these options. Only because, the circumstances overwhelm me.

God has made it clear through His Word, prayer and other people that this is where He wants me to be. Truth be told, it has pained me greatly. But I forget to easily that God has carried me and that I have to lean and fall on Him, staying down on my knees resting on His instruction and not my own understanding.

I have three goals for 2008 after reading Philippians 3:1-4:1.

1) Know Christ More (3:10,11)
"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

2)To Move on (3:13-14)
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." I have to move on with Christ." I cannot live in the past and be living in the present at the same time. Carrying unnecessary burdens I never been equipped to deal with on my own.

3)Stand firm in the Lord (4:1)
"Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!" Focusing on Christ alone in lieu of coming months, God willing many, many years ahead. No need to look around on earth and every corner "What's happened and what to do next?" Heaven is our home. Suffice to say, that is not important because Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega. All I can do is grow in His Word and stand upon His instruction and bearing witness to His work as humble and faithfully as possible.

-Lloyd