The project is now OURS!

Well, the project has officially reached the 5 weeks mark. The last of the staffs left this afternoon to their next assignment, and they have entrusted the next 5 weeks to us students. They’ve also appointed a few students on project to be the core leaders, but project just isn’t project if we don’t work together as a community. Some may say that we’ve reached our half way point on project, but others say that OUR project just started. The next 5 weeks is where we will see growth in exponential proportion, it’s when we will see God’s hands in EVERYTHING, where we see healing, and maturity.

This week, our reflection time is on Ephesians 5:8-18.

8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.

And it has really resonated with me, for once I was in darkness, and now walking toward the light. One area of my life that I think have moved from darkness into light over the past five weeks has definitely been vulnerability/openness/getting out of isolation. 5 weeks ago, I was very reserved in my life, and not really letting anyone in. That has been the case all throughout my life, but I feel like this past 5 weeks I have really made progress in coming out of isolation, and into a community. I’ve had conversation with dudes on topics that I would never share so quickly with people I barely knew. I have gotten out of my shyness (especially with girls), and really been able to enjoy the company of the women on project. I’ve also developed a better servant attitude since project started. I cooked a lot here, and usually when I cook I invite 8/9 people over. This has been a blessing experience of being humble, and serving others on project. And I also feel really appreciated from the responses I have received.

Jason (as appeared on my videos from our hike to Mt. Elbert), my discipler, has left project along with all the other staffs. Prior to leaving, he gave me a verse to really dwell on this summer. 1 Peter 2:6-10. He encourages me to really let that sink in, and I am REALLY special, I am God’s chosen instrument. The letter that Jason gave me as a parting gift brought me really emotional. His kind words revealed areas in my life that I never really thought God was working, but apparently it shows, and really radiate godly characteristics. I was described to be a risk taker, and goal orientated, and that is an admirable trait that can’t be taught. My life was also described in comparison to my love for photography. That I know where to go for the best shots, and timing, even when others don’t see it. I take “shots” in my life, with all areas such as school, work, life decisions, etc. My strength is not in choices I have made, but in my capacity to make decisions. I was described to be wise beyond my years.

One advise that Jason gave me in the letter, also spoke to my heart was, being a servant doesn’t necessary mean taking the back seat. Remember that the same Jesus who was silent when accused at his own trial also braided a whip and overturned tables to drive money loving men out of the temple. Nobody asked Jesus to do this, he saw the need, and knew he was God’s chosen instrument, so he did it. Likewise, when I see an opportunity to lead, I should not let that chance slip away. When the challenge arise, rise up and conquer.

In the next 5 weeks, there are still areas in my life where I am living in darkness that can be brought to the light. I need to be more intentional about communicating on why I am here in Vail. I need to take more initiative in initiate conversations. I have heard the good news, who am I to keep the good news from spreading. This freedom in Christ that we experience should not be kept a secret. Tell the world that God exist, and God changed your life. We all need the gospel as much as the people we evangelize to.

In verse 14-18, the image of waking up was brought up. There are areas of my life that needs to be woken up. And I hope that with the help of God, I will be able to be more awake of my struggles, and really walk in the light, and out of darkness.

I am really excited for this Weds, an opportunity has arise for me to take lead in worship. I am taking ownership in leading a team at Vail church this upcoming Weds for the worship service. Everything from getting the set list together, and leading the team with our talents that God gave us, to really serve the community, and help bring hearts closer to God. Please pray that our actions are God pleasing and Spirit filled.

I can already see changes that happened since project started. I can’t wait to experience the next 5 weeks of even more brokenness and be more in tuned with what God has planned for my life.