What are you grasping in the stormy sea of life?
“Floating” security
When I first met my husband Kevin, I told him my life was like a lost swimmer navigating life’s challenges by grasping a piece of wood wandering in the sea. I did not know where I was drifting to, but grasping a plank in the roaring sea which didn’t really save could at least give me a sense of security in the storm of life.
The piece of wood I was grasping was success, self-achievement and significance. I was worshipping a cultural god who promised to bless me with health, wealth, success, good relationship. But after gaining success as an achiever, I learned that travelling in business class or climbing up the corporate ladder did not fill up the void in my heart. I was lost, but the hustle and bustle of life masked my seeking heart well.
Unconditional Love?
When Kevin told me there was a God who loved me unconditionally, and His name was Jesus, I sneered at him. I could not justify a loving God with the suffering in the world, including a traumatic past when my parents went through divorce and fighting for our custody right, and my Christian father committed suicide. I studied the Bible since young in Catholic school, but never thought it’s real. Since we met, Kevin had prayed for me for 7 years daily. He showed me God’s unconditional love by holding a high view on marriage and sexual purity. He cared without expecting anything in return. He said the source of his love was from his God Jesus Christ. I remained skeptical. Kevin’s story:
One day, a crisis hit my life. When I came to the end of myself, in front of a house’s door, I heard an audible voice speaking to me from Heaven calling me to repent and follow Him. God called me His daughter! That Heavenly tender voice filled my heart with an indescribable warmth which led me breaking into tears instantly.
Heavenly Invitation
I suddenly remembered a Bible verse I heard 2 days ago when I followed Kevin to his church which Jesus said: ‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.’ (Revelation 3:20)
On that day I accepted this invitation from Jesus. I repented my sin, opened the door of my heart and welcomed Jesus in. The God of peace has been living in me since then.
Renewed Life Purpose
More powerful than any floating planks in the stormy sea, God the source of security reached out from Heaven to rescue me. He sets me free from relying on other false sense of security. God teaches me how to navigate life’s troubles through His Words in the Bible. He renewed my understanding of life purpose, and God’s covenantal design of marriage which energizes Kevin and I to serve God joyfully together. I realized the void in my heart could only be filled by God’s perfect love through His Son Jesus Christ.
What is the piece of wood you are trying to grasp in your life that gives you temporary comfort? Feel free to drop me a message if you want to know more about God’s unconditional love to you!
