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The wind will come no matter what
During the Fall Evangelical Services and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC), at one of the prayer sessions, Pastor Hwang shared that every prayer is like we go for a date with God in a secret garden. And we ourselves are the secret garden. The spices and fruit produced in this garden depend on our spiritual maturity. If there is no wind blowing through this garden, we cannot know what kind of smell our garden is flowing out. And the wind here is challenges, hardships, and tribulations in life. This gave me great encouragement and inspiration, because for a long time this year, I often doubted myself, whether the decision I made to come to Chicago was good or bad? Thank God, God gave me the answer at the ESSC. If I had not made the decision to move to Chicago and come to a place with a church, I would not have had a way to know what I was really missing and lacking. I would not have been able to see my weaknesses and shortcomings. And if I cannot see the shortcomings in myself, let alone improve them. In other words, if the wind of changing the environment, career, and life role did not blow into my garden, I would not know how I would respond, nor would I know what the smell of my garden would be.
This garden mentioned by Pastor Hwang is full of fine spices and fruits (Song of Solomon 4:13-14), which made me ponder. What about me? Am I flowing out a smell? Is the smell good or bad? Could it be that I thought I was flowing out aroma, but in fact I was not? We all hope that when the wind comes, aroma will flow out from out garden. But in fact, this rarely happens. More often, the wind comes before we are ready. So, we must use the time we have now to prepare ourselves and enrich ourselves spiritually. Thank God, God has given us a new hope, that is, if we trust in God, obey God’s words, rely on the help of the Holy Spirit and God’s mercy, we can empty our old selves, gradually enrich us with godliness, and finally be filled with beautiful and fine spices and fruits. In this way, whether it is the south wind or the north wind, we can flow out aroma.
“Awake, O north wind,
And come, O south!
Blow upon my garden,
That its spices may flow out.
Let my beloved come to his garden
And eat its pleasant fruits.” (Song of Solomon 4:16)
No matter our garden is filled with our own ideas or spiritual spices and fruits, the wind will come and come again. When the wind comes, I am resolved to face and deal with –instead of avoiding– the problems in life, to be a peacemaker with one another by humbling myself, and to surrender to God for His will be done.
Is your garden flowing out aroma? May God help you and me. Do you want to become a better and newer person whose garden is oozing out sweet aroma to the Lord? We warmly invite you to join our regular Sabbath services online or in-person to learn the Truth about God.
Please find our church location below:
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
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In the meantime, please feel free to join us for our regular Sabbath (Friday evening and Saturday) services online or in-person.
Friday Evening Service: 7:50PM – 9:00PM
Saturday Morning Service: 10:50AM – 12:00Noon
Saturday Afternoon Service: 1:30PM – 2:40PM
Email us at ilovejesus@tjc-chicago.org