Three Lessons I Learned Fall Semester 2013

My fall 2013 semester has come to a close. Fifteen weeks later, I have began this blog in my parents’ house with a cup of coffee in one hand and my prayer journal in the other. If you don’t have a journal, you’re missing out. Ink and paper are excellent means through which you can marvel at God’s goodness.

I pray you are encouraged.

1. Education is wonderful, and, its worth, so motivating

(Insert stereotypical Asian joke here).

I don’t know if I’m just now starting to conform to the American-Asian stereotype, but the value of education drove me to press on in my studies. A significant contribution was the nourishment I got in the morning with Proverbs and Breakfast. You can hardly glance at the Book of Wisdom without encountering the author’s gratitude for knowledge. Scholarship is the medium through which God shapes us to change the world for His glory. Perhaps research papers, studying for our psychology midterm, and chemistry labs become such a burden because we fail to see it all from a Biblical lense.

How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge? -Proverbs 1:22

Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is better than jewels, and that you may desire cannot compare with her. -Proverbs 8:10-11

How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver. -Proverbs 16:16

Heck, I even wrote a column about it. Check it out.

2. The battle against our sin is an all-out declaration of war 

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over th present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. – Ephesians 6:12

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if my the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:13

Romans commands us to siege all-out war against our evil desires. Sin is sticky and tenacious. Our time on earth limited. We cannot afford to let our guards down.

Too often, we play patty-cake with our flesh instead of endeavoring with the Holy Spirit to destroy it. And then we wonder why we still struggle with jealously, pornography, worry, or greed five years later. This world is hostile. We’re either drifting with society or anchored to the truth.

Scripture COMMANDS us to make war against our flesh; anything less is a trojan horse to our sanctification.

Thank you, John Piper.

3. God is, oh, so faithful

My inaugural book “Four Years, Two Roads: Finding Eternal Significance in High School” is set to be released in early 2014. It was a surreal moment singing along that dotted line.

Writing my book was the hardest task The Lord has yet led me to. I felt like giving up – often. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at my desk, staying up til’ 4 a.m., both take a toil on the willpower. But God displayed his faithfulness in the midst of my fragility, from the cover design to the publisher search.

The Lord shows up big when He is your all-surpassing satisfaction (Psalm 37:4). Our job is to push while we pray (James 2:14-26).

One of the most uplifting things  you could do this holiday season is reflect on how God has been faithful in your life. Perhaps, like Becky Stiles, it’s a new friend whom encourages you in a hostile environment. Or maybe, like Andrew Maxwell, it’s seeing God use your humility influence your teammates.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and  do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight you paths. -Proverbs 3:5-6

Cheers, from Gainesville, Florida. 

Your Friend,
D.Kim
Acts 20:24