Elom reflects on Scott's reflections: Quick connect series

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:8-10

The gift of grace is still puzzling to me. It's the one gift I can never repay, the one gift I am and will always be thankful for. To think that I am God's workmanship is even more puzzling... It's hard to get my head around the fact that He uses flawed people to accomplish His will. I was convinced that I needed to have my life in order to do good works. And if my life didn't look good, well I could always pretend it was.

After receiving the gift of grace, I started getting the nudge to do something about it. Not to repay the gift (even though that was my first impulse), but to help others feel the same way I did. When I asked where I could start, my friend Scott shared a profound piece of wisdom with me:

"Start from where you are, with what you have."

OK, simple enough:

- Start from where you are: Finding a place to serve was easy. There are so many opportunities waiting to be filled. Not just in the walls in the church, but outside my comfort zone. I started looking around, listening, caring, and doing what I could. I simply figured that the good works prepared in advance for me to do had to be in there somewhere. I like to think that He honors every act of service we do in His name. I have seen and heard enough stories to be convinced that He uses the most random and routine acts to change people's lives.

- With what you have: I made a list of the things I was good at and started from there. After wondering why I didn't have certain gifts, I started focusing on the ones I have. There is a good reason I don't have the same talents as some of my close friends. We all somehow manage to complement each other when it comes to serving.

The Quick Connect series was all about using the gifts we have to help make a difference in someone's life. I remember reading somewhere that: "Small things done with great love will change to world". When I am not sure I am doing my part, I try to remember that what I did, I (hopefully) did in love, and that's all that matters really...

EED

Elom reflects on Scott's reflections: The growing series

(In order to catch up on my reflections, I decided to write one post per series, at least until I am all caught up).

The series on growing came at a pivotal time in my life. I felt stuck, uncertain of the next step... you know, the feeling you get when you already have the answer, but you are just too scared to actually do anything about it. So, I prayed. I prayed for growth, as painful as it was. One thing I realized throughout the series is that no matter how inconvenient, untimely, tedious it may be, growing is simply necessary.

It's only been a few months since I started praying for continued growth, but I can see the seeds started to give fruits. I can see the changes inside of me, and the effect it has on my family, friends and community. I don't know how long this period will last, but I really like to think of growing as a process... whether lifelong, or just for a season.

Although the series on growth has been over for a few months, I faced my test last week. God's timing is always impeccable. I think I passed, I am not sure. I am not even sure there was a pass/fail grade involved... All I know is that I feel at peace with some of the decisions I have struggled with. It's only taken me a couple of years! HAHA!



God is good!

EED