Childlike faith

After a few hectic days in Taiwan, I spent the last two relaxing and doing some sightseeing around Taiwan. On Saturday, I spent the day at a beach in northern Taiwan with some friends both old and new. On our way there, I rode my first bus and taxi in Taiwan, both of which were significantly cheaper than in the US. Additional firsts were:

1. Seeing a "black" sand beach (it was more of a charcoal color, but still really cool)

2. Seeing and being in a brief sandstorm (it wasn't too big of a deal really)

3. Trying out surfing (sort of, but not really because there weren't too many great waves)

Today, I went to beautiful town in northeastern Taiwan called Jiufen. If you have watched the animated film, "Spirited Away", it's based on the town of Jiufen. While there, we stopped by what seemed to be a few dozen stalls and tasted all kinds of random things while casually taking pictures.

During the past few days, I really got to admire God's creation. Although I tried to take a lot of photos, they can't really do justice to the beauty of everything I was able to see today. To think that all creation is a reflection of God's beauty is truly something to think about. And to imagine that the God who created these beautiful landscapes detail by detail, would be so merciful and loving to send His Son to die for me is something I cannot comprehend.

Today I visited a local church with some new friends. Although it may not be one of the big famous churches in Taiwan, I was blessed by the fellowship I had there, and the grace God was able to show from its members. Additionally, I was really blessed by the sermon which spoke of Psalm 23. Although today was a little different because they had to show a video sermon from Francis Chan, its words spoke to me and everything I have gone through the past few days. In the sermon, Francis Chan quoted James 5:17, which mentions that Elijah was just a man just like you and me. Though he was just a man with faults like you and me, he was able to do amazing things through God's grace working in him. The sermon mentioned how sometimes we question different aspects of ourselves to the point where we may avoid the great plans God has for us. However, God created each of us differently for His own reasons; the same God who worked in Elijah is the same God who works in us. Although we may have our own deficiencies, our God is a shepherd who leads us through the valley of the shadow of death, so we don't have to fear anything. Our God is so great and mighty that we shouldn't tremble in the face of our enemies because He is with us!

There were so many things from this message that spoke to me, but one of things that hit home the most for me was about having childlike faith. This past week I've thought about things too much with my mind and have limited God in the process. Instead, I should be excited about walking side by my side with my God - especially through unfamiliar darkness - because I know and have read about how truly great and awesome He is, and that the same God who created the heavens and the earth is with me wherever I go.

May I remain and strong and courageous in the Lord and His mighty power!