The Big Event (in My Life)

In 1982, Joe Nussbaum, then Vice President of the Student Government Association at Texas A&M University, founded The Big Event as a way for students to say “Thank You” to the surrounding community for supporting A&M’s students. Mr. Nussbaum viewed The Big Event as a means for students to show their gratitude by completing various tasks at the area residents’ homes.

The Big Event is not about the number of jobs completed or the number of students who participate each year. Instead, the relationships developed between students and residents make The Big Event unique.

On March 23^rd, 2013, roughly 19,000 students volunteered to serve 1,850 community residents.

This year I have had the joy to serve on the committee for The Big Event. I wish I could even begin to explain how I have grown and what I have learned through this experience.

The most important thing that I have experienced is what it truly looks like to be an extension of God’s presence. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20). As believers, we accept the costly gift of Jesus’ sacrifice of His perfect life in order to ransom our hearts into His eternal kingdom. Once we have accepted this gift, our lives belong to Him. “For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:3). As we belong to Christ and have been adopted as sons and daughters into the kingdom of God, we are reflections of His character. Once we have been justified through faith, we are constantly sanctified- made more and more like Jesus. In this there are incredible opportunities. In every circumstance, we have the opportunity to show God’s character to anyone that we come into contact with. Of course, we will not ever be perfect on this earth. But let this serve as a reminder to us that the title of “Christian” brings such great responsibilities and joys. Life may be full of blessings and sweetness, or it may be just chaos and frustration. Regardless, how we respond and react ought to always reflect our dedication and love to the Lord.

Something else that I have learned is the sweet difference between knowledge and experience. It is one thing to know God’s character and who He is by studying His Word. It is a complete other thing to experience who He is in and through various aspects of your life. In The Big Event, it is one thing to be expecting about 19,000 students to show up to a parking lot at 9:00 AM on a Saturday to serve the surrounding community; however, it is chilling to actually witness the spectacle. Sometimes the difference in these things is simply timing; but sometimes it is our own unwillingness or unavailability. It is enabling to all relationships- with friends, family, and God- to be available.

Next, I have seen such true joy by simple enjoyment in all situations. Your task or circumstance at the moment may seem insignificant, pointless, or maybe it seems life changing. Whatever it is, strive to enjoy it. Know that God meets you where you are. So get to know Him where you are in exactly what you are experiencing. Pour your heart out where you are, because God has placed you there for a purpose. Know that your role, whatever it is, is significant. “If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God has arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose.” (1 Corinthians 12:17-18). Dedicate your service and the love to the concept of the object, not the title that you may receive. Do not participate to add to your resume or good standing because that is unsatisfying and will only be forgotten. Serve and love knowing that Christ has first served and loved you. “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Again, we follow Christ’s example. His love and service is completely selfless, He strives to bring glory and honor to God the Father. In accepting your role in where you are placed, seek to enjoy it knowing that God has purposefully put you there because there you are able to love, serve, and bring His name glory.

“Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! For the LORD is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.” –Psalm 100:4-5-

Praying Psalm 23:3

I have had the blessing of growing up in a Christian home. I attended private Christian schools all the way through my senior graduation and have grown up regularly attending church. I have heard the words of Psalm 23 since infancy, literally. And while that is such a sweet blessing, it can be a little bit of a danger too. I heard this so often that my heart became dull to it’s meaning. But in this season of life God has renewed it’s sweetness in my heart and mind.

“He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” (Psalm 23:3). The Lord has been teaching me so much about prayer through this short verse. Following David’s example I have been learning so much through his attitude of trust and hope in God. David is anointed and promised a throne, and then the current king hunts him like a madman. In this time, David teaches us how to pray so many things through these truths. May we pray for the grace to let God restore our souls and lead us in His ways in every season and circumstance. Our Father loves us so much that He has given us free will; we are not slaves or robots. He so desperately wants us to accept His unconditional and unfailing love. Only He is able to love us in a way that fully satisfies and fills our souls. May we pray for humility to know He leads us because of His character- who He is and what He has done for us- not of our own merit. We cannot earn His approval or help because of anything we in and of ourselves do. We cannot do anything to change His love or who He is. He loves and He leads because it is His character; He is our Heavenly Father. May we pray for submission to follow our shepherd trusting that He knows not only the destination but also each and every step of the way. “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” (John 14:3). As a shepherd leads his flock to the greener pasture, he has to know not only where he is going but also the best way to get there. We do not know the way, and we often may not see the purpose or understand the timing. But God is good. While we may falter along the way, He never changes. He loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son to take on all of the shame and punishment that we deserved so that He could bring us into His kingdom to belong. “He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” (1 Peter 2:24-25).  You are loved unconditionally. You are led by the God who knows your heart fully and wants to give you life abundantly.

The Caravan was on its Way

I wish I could keep track of the times the question “why me?” has gone through my mind. Sometimes it’s in hurtful and frustrating situations… “why did this happen to me?... I don’t know if I really did anything wrong?...”. The list could go on. Sometimes it’s even in response to exciting or awesome opportunities. I wonder, “How did this happen to me?... Did they know what they signed on for when they chose me for this?” This too could go on. It’s interesting that this same question could be asked in such different situations. I find that it is often based in the same thought process that “I am undeserving”.  My favorite response to this is the thought I borrow from Tim Keller that while I am so wrecked Jesus had to die on the cross in order to redeem me, at the same time, I am so loved that Jesus wanted to do this for me.

Today I stumbled upon a revelation of faith displayed by Joseph as explained by the author Marian Jordan. Jordan connects the dots in Joseph’s life and lines them up like dominoes in order to show how powerful, eternal, and sovereign God’s plans and timing are. (Stick with me as I share her connections)

·       If Joseph’s brothers never sell him to the Midianites, then Joseph never goes to Egypt

·       If Joseph never goes to Egypt, he is never sold to Potiphar

·       If he is never sold to Potiphar, Potiphar’s wife never accuses him of rape

·       If Potiphar’s wife never falsely accuses him of rape, then he is never put in prison

·       If he is never put in prison, he never meets the baker and butler of Pharaoh

·       If he never meets the baker and butler of Pharaoh, he never interprets their dreams

·       If he never interprets their dreams, he never gets to interpret Pharaoh’s dream

·       If he never gets to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams, he is never made prime minister

·       If he is never made prime minister, he never wisely administrates for the severe famine coming upon the region

·       If he never wisely administrates for the severe famine coming upon the region, then his family back in Canaan perishes from the famine

·       If his family back in Canaan perishes from the famine, the Messiah can’t come forth from a dead family

·       If the Messiah can’t come forth, then Jesus never came

·       If Jesus never came, you are dead in your sins and without hope in this world

Each point in his journey is crucial to the next. Each moment is a launching point for the next. You better believe after reading even just this summary of Joseph’s story that God is big enough to make good come of His child being sold into slavery by his own brothers. If I were Joseph, I think I would have questioned at every corner, “why is this happening to me?”. But seeing Joseph’s entire story, it all makes sense. Well here’s the good news. God sees the whole story of you and me. He is using each domino to lead to the next as He carefully and purposefully orchestrates each moment to work for the good of those who love Him and to bring His name eternal glory. Here’s another awesome point. Marian Jordan shares this thought that her mentor shared with her, “Did you ever think about the fact that the caravan was on its way to Egypt long before Joseph was ever thrown into that pit?”. Continue Joseph’s story even further back than the summary above. Even before Joseph’s father sent him to check on his brothers, that caravan to Egypt was on its way. It was not delayed, and it was not ahead of schedule. It came just in time to save Joseph from death… just in time to knock over that next domino.

Let me make note here, I do not write these words to give anyone a future focus. I don’t want anyone to walk away from this running in search of the next domino. You won’t know probably till you’re looking back, if then at all. I write this as an encouragement on perspective. When the question “why me?” comes up, answer in confidence that God not only knows why, but has beautiful and eternal purpose in why. He will provide the path and the purpose.

The caravan was already on its way.

Heart of Worship

In this season of life, my prayer is that the Lord would develop a heart of worship in me. When things are changing, confusing, fast-paced, or chaotic, it is my tendency to make myself busy with fun or productive things. I don’t let myself sit still and think over everything. I engulf myself with other things so in some way I don’t have to face what I don’t want to. The downfall in this is that this means I don’t sit still to seek to get to know the character of my God and just worship Him for who He is. What a waste of time to do anything else! In all things, I pray that God’s glory would be my delight and my purpose.

We are created to worship. Our hearts seek what grants them joy, peace, love, and satisfaction. We thirst for something greater. Our hearts each have a God-shaped hole. I love reading through David’s praises as he pours out his heart in Psalms. “Bless the LORD, O my soul! O LORD my God, You are very great! You are clothed with splendor and majesty, covering Yourself with light as with a garment, stretching out the heavens like a tent. He lays the beams of His chambers on the waters; He makes the clouds His chariot; He rides on the wings of the wind;” (Psalm 104:1-3). Our God is so great. He loves unconditionally. He is faithful. He is almighty. He is sovereign. He is intimate. The list of all things that God is and what He has done for us goes on and on. When I let myself be still, I am amazed of His great love for me, someone once broken but now restored and redeemed. When I allow myself to not be overscheduled and overwhelmed, I have time and clarity to see more of who God is and what He has done in my life. “Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told” (Habakkuk 1:5). Stop and look what God is doing.

It is so easy when we become overscheduled to give our hearts to idols. When we spend so much time, pour out so much of our hearts, work so hard, etc… we are giving ourselves away sometimes, making good things ultimate things. “The word epithumiai, meaning “inordinate desires,” is very common in the New Testament and has strong links to the idea of idolatry” (Tim Keller). This is such a perfect explanation of idols. They are “inordinate desires”. When we idolize something, we allow our hearts to settle for something less than they were designed for. These are deeply rooted and cannot be removed quickly or easily. Thomas Chalmers explains this in this way, “The only way to dispossess the heart of an old affection is by the explosive power of a new one”. To rid ourselves of lesser desires, our hearts must be overwhelmed and satisfied in Christ. Our hearts are designed to worship and find fulfillment in something greater than ourselves. This is accomplished in Christ.

“You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (Psalm 16:11)