Thrive in College & Career (12)

Everyone of us needs help in some shape or form in our life, no matter if it is for our school or career. It could be challenges we face in school or at work financially, mentally or spiritually, such as choosing our major or career path, preparing for exams or interviews, and so on. In fact, every single one of us hopes there is a hand that would stretch out to us when we are in need. Looking at story about Nehemiah, I start to reflect upon the following questions.

Are we helpable or even coachable?

Last article emphasized on recognizing other’s needs and our own needs. But when we are in need, do we recognize the help when it has been sent to us by God? Nehemiah recognized the help provided to him by God when the King ask him, “what do you request?”. Nehemiah made himself ready and helpable by truthfully telling the King what he was concerning and gratefully receiving the material goods that the King offered (Nehemiah 2: 4-5).

How does that relate to us today? Well, do we make ourselves helpable or do we resist because of our weak state even when we know the help will help us? What is our spiritual or mental readiness to receive help? To make us helpable or even coachable, we need to be mentally open and spiritually poor. In the Scriptures it describes we are the clay, and He is the potter who makes us into His vessels. In other words, if we are different vessels for God, we need to be empty vessels for Him. So He can pour His oil into us. If we are filled with our own “stuff”, such as weakness (pride, laziness…) and bad habits (procrastination, unaccountability…), even if God’s help shows up, we have no room for His grace, which means we will only slap the hand that stretches out to us. We are not helpable or coachable because we have departed from God’s image; therefore we lost the alignment with God.

But there is hope that we can go back to God’s image. Remember? We were created in the likeness of God (Genesis 5:1). After we “empty” ourselves, should we have room for God’s help and God’s grace. Therefore, we can move one step closer to God’s image. “now we then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) Let us not allow our old weaknesses and bad habits take us over. Let us be helpable to others and become ambassadors for Christ.

What happens to the hand that stretches out to help?

In Nehemiah’s case, he did not abuse or misuse the timber the King gave to him. He did not take it for granted. Throughout the book of Nehemiah, other than God, the King was the one who receives credits and acknowledgement from Nehemiah the most.

What should we do to the hand that stretches out to us then? The answer is easy. Just think about how we would want others to respond when we stretch our hands to them. “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them…” (Matthew 7:12)

Often time, we would show our gratitude in the beginning, and over time, we take it for granted, especially to those ones who we are close with. But is it right? God is always there for us to help us, and He also says we should pray to praise Him. Is praising God for God or us? Is giving thanks to God for God or us? The answers are for us and for us. God does not need anything, but He gives us opportunities to express our gratitude. Same thing for people that help us. We give thanks, not only because it is courteous, but it is a way to show our gratitude for other’s care and love. Let us be “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 2:7)

Do you need a hand that stretches out to you? Are you ready for it? Are you the one that stretches out to help others? God is love. Our God is the ultimate hand that stretches out to us always. Trust in the Lord with Holy Spirit as He loves us before we even know him.

Come and learn more about Him through bible study, sermons and fellowship. We warmly welcome you to our upcoming Fall Evangelical Service and Spiritual Convocation. You can also join us for the Fall ESSC via online streaming.  Here’s the ESSC schedule:

Thursday, September 26,2024 6:50PM to 8:10PM
Friday and Saturday, September 27-28, 2024 9:00AM to 8:10PM
Sunday, September 29, 2024 9:00AM to 1:00PM

Complimentary lunch and dinner will be served.

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