“Forget not all His benefits“

“Recount His wonders“. 

How many times have we heard those words, yet never really took time “to count our blessings”? 

As years pass by, I realize that there are many things I forget. 

This testimony I share is a milestone I want to be remembered, related to what happened to me in 2015.

2015 was a special year. If I were to give it a title, it would be “God surprised me“! At 25, I was living a pretty ordinary life, juggling between a job and my studies at college. At that time, I could have never imagined that in just a few weeks, my life would turn upside down. As I am writing this, I recall a verse saying:

No eye has seen, no ear has imagined and no mind has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love Him. (I Corinthians 2:9, NLT)

At fifteen, little did I know…

Flash back to ten years ago, I had just finished high school. Back then, with a whole life ahead, I had a clear vision of the kind of life I wanted. I was convinced I would get a certain job, drive a certain kind of car, marry a certain type of guy. I had even sketched the design of my dream home! I was an ambitious girl with big dreams. But, you know what? Life does not always turn out the way we think it would. Indeed,

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps” (Proverbs 16:9, NLT).

So, to tell you, my college years proved me wrong. 

I started with something I liked. Later on, I moved on to another major. And I did not stop there, at a certain point of time, out of the blue, I decided to switch to a completely different field.

I wonder why couldn’t I fit into the “normal college journey”, like everybody who knew what they wanted ?

When God meets me in my weakness

During those college years, I had the chance to meet different people and make friends, especially Christian ones. Certainly, I wouldn't be the same person I am today without this community that shaped me. For instance, when I was younger, I was painfully shy. This nature became my stumbling block on many occasions, particularly when it came to speaking with others.

Over the years, I was given responsibilities that helped me develop social skills. I gradually discovered that I could speak one on one and even in front of an audience. Only by the grace of God! 

Besides, God made my faith grow through the youth camps and fellowships I attended. By the way, if you are a new Christian – if you have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior – I encourage you to get involved in a Gospel-based Christian communities.

As my faith deepened, so did my awareness of the world beyond myself. I began to see that my story wasn’t just about me — it was about the people around me, the land beneath my feet, and the future I hoped to help shape.

When God awakens a calling

Studying Environmental Conservation opened my eyes to the value of the ground I walk on each day. Living in Madagascar — one of the world’s poorest countries, yet rich in natural treasures — I began to understand the urgency of protecting what God has entrusted to us. Then came another calling, the fight against poverty. It weighs heavily on my heart now and I long to contribute to the well-being of my people.

Now, as I am looking back, I could get a glimpse of God’s plan behind these seeming failures. My mess is turned into a message, the pieces of the puzzle come together to form a beautiful patchwork. I realize that I needed this long process. Every step had its role to play in God’s plan for me. Unlike us, God never makes mistakes. He allowed me to explore paths that I would later question. All along this journey, He met me exactly where I was. 

His grace pursued me. His Spirit guided me. 

He was my Teacher, the Best Teacher of all.

Yes, the promise of God stands true:

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT) 

When God looks on the heart (I Samuel 16:7) 

On a sunny day of May, I received a mail congratulating me on a scholarship. A gift from heaven. 

Then started an hectic adventure : passing the interview, processing the papers and in between, editing my paper, preparing my Thesis defense. In all this, I see His divine intervention. God is good. So good.

Without Him, I would have given up when difficulties started to show up… 

Today, I look forward to starting a whole new adventure, which happens to be a significant milestone in my life journey. This field fills my heart with hope, I can’t help but be so excited! 

Who knew that it was in God's timeline to send me to the land where a rose could blossom from a garbage dump, five decades ago (South Korea).

When the best is yet to come

I firmly believe that this world needs more educated Christians who are daily living up Christ’s values. Jesus called us Christians to be the Light of the world, so let us shine!

Dear friend, as we walk this journey of faith, let us fix our eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face! 

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace. 

To end, I wish to conclude this testimony with a quote:

“In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what the Lord has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history” (EGW)

(August 2015)