Despite tragedies...Endure and thrive!

"Expect great things; attempt great things", this was a famous line from William Carey, the father of modern mission. As what I have learned from the life of this man, he was a kind of man who despite what had happened to his family still continue the work of God in India. His children died, his wife became crazy yet these sad events in his life did not stop him from following Christ. True enough his labor for the Lord was not in vain. In fact as a result, after seven years of patiently waiting for the fruits of his labors, finally there were people who came to know Christ.

His life has taught me two lessons, that is to endure in every challenges and to thrive. In every ministry I could expect that there would be lots of testing of faith. In Carey's case, his faith was tried through the tragedies that he experienced, specially in his family. Same could also be true to us. Specially as a Filipino, family was very valuable to us that sometimes we chose them over God. What I meant was, we sometimes did things for them not for the Lord. As a graduating student, this has been a challenge to me. Because I felt pressured by my family. It was like I need to work so that I could give them a better life. Which I know it won't happen. For only God could give them that life that they desired. And I would choose to obey God's call more than them, for I believe in God's promise that as I obey Him, He will also bless my family. Going back, this was just a reminder to me and to all Christians, to always trust God in every challenges that we are facing and we would be facing in the ministry. Endure and expect victories! We were made to thrive! We should not be disappointed or discouraged by every challenges and difficulties that we've been through, instead may those testings of faith lead us to develop a more closer, more intimate relationship with our heavenly Father, who allowed such things to happen in our lives for our good.

#Endure!

#Thrive!