THE GREAT I AM

I realize that I have not been keeping everyone that well informed regarding my summer thus far.  So here is the shpill....

My days at work have been phenomenal!  During project we are encouraged to acquire jobs so that we can begin to learn how to share our faith with coworkers.  I work at a place called Shoreline Sightseeing, which is one of the largest touring companies in Chicago.  At Shoreline I function as a "greeter", a fancy name for costumer service.  While working at this job, I have met a lot of coworkers who are outgoing and eager to talk and have conversation while working.  God has actually allowed me to have great conversation with them and even blessed me with a couple spiritual conversations.  This experience has helped me understand what it means to live every second of every day with a kingdom focus.  I have learned that no matter where I am at or who I am with, it is possible to share God's good news and be a light in this dark world.  

Also, in Chicago we go on college campuses and initiate in spiritual conversation as a way to present the gospel to students.  God has blessed me with fruitful conversations on campus.  The experience of sharing on the UIC campus has caused me to have to rely on God a lot.  Some days on campus seem so discouraging after every person we talk to does not want to hear about our God.  Through these days we have had to join as a community and remind ourselves that God is the One who works in someones life, He has the power to save not me.  I have seen my responsibility to God in being obedient in sharing His story with the students on campus and leaving the results up to Him.  My days on campus have not gone to waste by any means!  This past week on campus Amy and myself went sharing on campus a spoke with a girl, Helen.  At the beginning of the conversation, she refused to think that Jesus is the Son of God but also God Himself.  But almost three hours later and a Christ-centered conversation later, Helen declared that Jesus is God and He is the only way to have a perfect relationship with God.  Though we did not see Helen receive Christ, I know that He is working in her heart and that we will remain in touch and continue to pour into Helen spiritually while here in Chicago! 

 God has worked in marvelous ways throughout these six weeks at Shoreline, UIC and in my own life through what I am learning about Gods character.  Ever since the staff on project have left, leaving the leadership team with the job to write and plan out our Bible study and meeting topics, we have been delving into who the great I AM is.   Too many times when approaching the Bible, I try and make it all about myself.  I usually ask myself, "What can I gain from this passage." Or even less directly, if I'm struggling with something, I'll just look in the concordance and find verses that will just apply to me.  I have learned that this is a self-centered way of thinking, instead of a Christ-centered way to approach my spiritual growth, reading my Bible and quiet time.  Often when learning new things, I only want to learn so that I can better face situations for myself.  The purpose of my salvation is to give God, the great I AM, the glory.  The purpose of having the Bible to read is to see the person who is God.  The purpose of Bible studies are to point us to I AM.  Yes, I am being repetitive, but there is a point.  Our Bible studies are doing a great job of teaching me a lesson that, when I take the focus off of myself, then I am able to see how eternal, great, powerful, loving and how much of a light to this world I AM is!