God is Big Enough

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 2 comments

Today was my last day of (paid) full-time work; tomorrow I go on maternity leave for the remainder of the year.

I have mixed feelings: on the one hand, I am looking forward to concentrating on being a full-time mum to two boys; on the other hand, I am nervous.  Having one active toddler to care for is tiring enough, how can I care for Micah and a newborn?  I know millions of women have done it before, but it all seems so daunting.

I am comforted, however, by the thought that God cares about our personal fears and challenges. He empowers us with strength and wisdom to make it through each day, whether it is with young children or with an unreasonable boss or with angry commuters.

God can downsize from the Universal to the human; from the Creator to the created in a cradle, from the Saviour to the friend.  And having heard our troubles, He then is big enough to change hearts and history.

Micah loves singing the song, “My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do (clap, clap! repeat) The mountains are His, the valleys are His, the stars are His handiwork, too (clap, clap!) My God is so big, so strong and so mighty, there’s nothing my God cannot do – for you!”

I am internalising this song as I face a new bend in the road.  My God is big enough for the sleepless nights and endless days, big enough for the unknown future and the regrettable past, big enough for the highs and lows of life’s journey.

With such a guide, we can echo the psalmist:

The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
He leads me beside quiet waters,
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23, NIV

May you turn to God today with the smallest of cares to share, believing that He is big enough to move heaven and earth – for you!

Into the Desert

in Sermons / Videos / Podcasts  by James 0 comments

God has a pattern of leading His people into the desert. What possible point is there in spending all that time in all that empty space? Why did Jesus spend 40 days there? What were the temptations about? And what relevance do they have to us in modern Australia, a country with the desert at its heart?

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Joy is a state of mind

in Thoughts  by Jinha Kim 0 comments

IMG_0054A friend recently asked me while enjoying the charms of my toddler, “Does he bring you endless joy?”  I immediately answered, “No.  He brings me endless exhaustion.”

I was half-heartedly joking, but my comment replayed in my mind a few days later as Micah hugged me from behind and said, “I cuddle Mommy.  I love you.”  In that moment while my heart melted, I reflected on the fact that I am not grateful enough for this little life that has been entrusted in my care.

Sure, his energy level needs no Red Bull.  Yes, he is cheeky to the bone.  The white hairs on my head definitely appeared as his terrible twos began.

But he also has the cheesiest smile.  And a great sense of humour.  When he cries, he covers his face with his hands and weeps in a way that breaks your heart.

He makes up his own songs: “More cars, five cars, all gone, no cars.”   He dances jigs.  He tells Roy, “Good job, daddy, driving” and asks me, “Mommy sleep well?” with a sweetness that melts ice cream.

I asked God to help me be more grateful – and thus more joyful –  for my children this year.

Joy is a state of mind.

We all can count our woes and complaints.  But really, when we pause to remember, we have much to be thankful for – and to rejoice in!

When the Bible writer Paul said to “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice” (Philippians 4:4), he was in prison.  He was not looking at his loss of liberty or potential death.  He chose to focus on the “peace of God, which passes all understanding” (Phil 4:7) and the gift of love and community that his fellow Christians provided  through their letters and visits (Phil 4:10).  His joy was a choice that renewed and multiplied, resulting in a contagious Christianity that changed the world.

How different my days and relationships would be if I embraced such joy!