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Rediscovering God’s Provision
Have you ever been so caught up chasing after success that you drifted away from God without even realizing it? That was exactly my story in university. Even though I’d grown up in church, baptized at a young age, and always taught to trust God, in my second year, everything changed. My days filled up quickly with clubs, volunteering, and building a CV (Curriculum Vitae). I barely had energy left for prayer or Bible reading. Soon, church felt more like a routine than a relationship.
But God never stopped calling me back: “So, rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.” (Joel 2:13)
Before starting my final year, I joined a Youth Theological Training Course (YTTC). At first, I worried I’d miss out—my friends were traveling or getting internships, while I’d have no internet or social media for three weeks. Yet, deep down, I knew I needed to return to God, just as James 4:8 states: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” During YTTC, I saw clearly that I had been relying on worldly things instead of God. Through prayer and reflection, God opened my eyes, showing me how empty life was without Him. But returning to God isn’t a one-time event; it’s a daily choice.
Right after YTTC, my faith was tested again. I discovered my university accommodation was canceled because I missed some confirmation emails. Panic set in. I was angry at first, thinking if I hadn’t gone to YTTC, this wouldn’t have happened.
Yet, my parents reminded me: “If you spent that time building your faith, God won’t abandon you now.” So, instead of worrying, I prayed and read the Bible, trusting God’s promise: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Within days, God provided unexpectedly—a preacher’s family offered me their spare room. It was far from campus, away from the worldly influences I’d worried about. Then, just when I fully surrendered my worries, the university emailed saying they had a room available in the exact hall I’d stayed in my first year—completely refurbished and close to church!
God’s arrangements were perfect, beyond what I could imagine. Through this experience, He taught me an important lesson: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36) When we chase after worldly things, we risk losing what’s truly valuable—our relationship with God. Returning to Him doesn’t mean life will be easy, but it means He will be with us every step of the way.
So, if it’s been a while since you’ve felt God’s presence or heard His voice, take the first step today. Return to Him through prayer, reading His words, and spending time in fellowship. He’s waiting to draw near, ready to provide far more than we could ever imagine. We warmly welcome you to our upcoming Spring 2025 Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation (ESSC). You can also join us for the Spring 2025 ESSC via online streaming.
Thursday, April 17, 2025 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, April 18-19, 2025 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, April 20, 2025 9:00AM to 1:00PM
Please find our church location below:
4N550 Church Road
Bensenville, IL 60106
Google Maps
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