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Hallelujah, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ I share my reflection on the Fall Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC). This Fall ESSC was a very special one for me in that it was the first ESSC where I made the determination to attend the services in person, starting Friday morning. Previously in Dallas, I would either attend later in the evenings due to schoolwork or attend in person with my parents. It was never really under my own decision making and planning where I decided to attend in person for ESSC.
Making this determination was not an easy decision and there were many things to consider and to plan. As we lived in the city, the drive to church or back home was 30-60 minutes depending on traffic. I would be driving late at night and driving in the city. Both things that caused me stress, and it was not something that I was comfortable with yet. This decision to attend in person for ESSC starting Friday involved not only taking time off work, but also renting a car and finding parking at night in the city – all things that I was not accustomed to.
Friday morning came, and my husband and I woke up early in the morning to get ready and make it to church on time. We quickly made our way to the car rental, set up the GPS, said a silent prayer together, and I started driving to church. While driving to church, as much as I was excited to attend in person, a part of my heart was selfish as I counted the costs in my head: the cost of the three day weekend car rental, the cost of parking during a weekend night, the paid time off that was used, the time I would be spending driving, and the stress of all the planning to make sure that all things went well.
By the time we arrived at church, my heart felt unsure as to whether I would be able to make this determination again in the future. Just as I was feeling this uncertainty in my heart, that Friday, the sermon ‘Overflowing in Rich Generosity’ truly felt like God was speaking to me, chastising me, and reminding me that having a willing mind is how to be accepted by God. The verses 2 Corinthians 8:8-15 explains that it is important to have the heart and willingness to give according to what one has. The verse further goes to speak upon how this is good for our fellow brothers and sisters as it says that to give during our times of plenty is for equality. It felt like God was directly addressing the struggle I had in my heart that morning and I returned to having inner peace.
It was truly a blessing that my husband and I were able to take time off from work during ESSC to come and serve, to be able to learn more about God and have the opportunity to draw closer to Him during this special time. It truly resonated with me that we should give willingly while we have the ability to give – whether it was through rides, through financial help or through Holy work. All things we have are through the grace of God and we should view generosity as an act of love, a response to God’s own generosity towards us. Through this sermon, I was able to reflect upon my attitude in my own willingness and I thanked God for answering my concerns almost immediately.
I truly felt encouraged and renewed through His assurance that He provided in the sermon and Bible passages. By living with an attitude full of thanksgiving and having the heart to willingly let go of the costs that weighed me down, I realize that I have something so precious: To be able to draw closer to God, our Heavenly Father. Thank God for an edifying ESSC. May all the glory be unto His holy name.
I encourage you to watch the video on this sermon, “Overflowing in Rich Generosity”. Hope you will feel as renewed as it did for me.
Come join us to worship God together. Our church location is as follows:
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