acts of service
wow. i almost feel compelled to apologize for my negligence to this blog. it’s been a whirlwind, what can i say? i have three posts back-logged in my head, wondering when i would find the time to process and print these thoughts. here we go. i’ve finally found a short breath to exhale what was my life over one month ago.
God’s at work. settling into new york has been a humbling experience. i believe He strategically placed certain commitments in my life to remind me how a disciple of Christ is defined by servanthood and faithfulness. servanthood, meaning, the posture i must keep for others and faithfulness, meaning, how obediently i serve my Lord.
i joined a ministry at remnant westside, called ahav. it’s an outreach with clear motives and intentions to serve those around us, the people that we walk by everyday, without stopping to question, who they are and what stories their lives offer. every week, we visit the same people, offering warm coffee paired with warm conversation. our objective isn’t to pursue these relationships to gain something in return. we simply live what we believe is Christ- love.
it was a struggle to open myself up to strangers. imagine, finding yourself in the middle of columbus circle, with constant traffic of tourists and new yorkers, looking for people to encounter with the spirit of the gospel at hand. some days, i didn’t have the guts to walk up to a stranger and offer a cup of coffee. i have to admit, i’ve been out of practice. i had to remember how to approach in faith, trusting in His promptings, forgetting my doubts. Galatians 2:20 says, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
i’ve stumbled numerous times at sharing the meaning of the gospel, trust me. but when i wear the love of Christ on my smile and open my ears to their story, i notice their smiles grow friendlier and more open each week we return. the simple gesture of consistency, provided a comfort of friendship between unassuming parties, enabling us to learn from each other and appreciate the goodness that we recognize to be valued.
i started working as a hostess at a high-end restaurant. sounds like a low-maintenance job, but somehow, it has run my body down to less than a hundred pounds. the act of greeting, hanging winter coats, escorting guests to their table up and down stairs, and waiting until the last table leaves. along with numerous skipped meals and long waits and rides home-for what, i’m not sure.
i had big dreams coming to new york. life in manhattan with a thriving work life and constant new adventures in the city. i didn’t expect to work my way up from the bottom. i came with a sense of entitlement, ready to take on a new world. but yet again, God has brought me to my knees. i’m learning that i will always need His strength, His power, His will. otherwise, there’s no good thing i can do. and the thing is, i can’t imagine what life would life would be like, if i didn’t need God everyday.
it’s appropriate to begin my life here with acts of service. it requires patience, honor and humility because every encounter will test each quality. it contributes to how i am setting the tone of this new chapter in my life, believing that my role is to serve and not expecting to be the one being served.
this has led me to certain convictions of the way i desire to live this year: with patient endurance. in freedom and peace under the sovereignty of God, in surrender of my time and resources. in need.
