Hello AO House!
"He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." -Titus 3:5
I hope that this letter finds you well in this transition time into our fall season. For us here at the church, this is a time that has given me an opportunity to transition into new relationships and activities. One of those is that of being able to join our children's Oasis group on Tuesday nights. As I was preparing for the group last night and what we were going to be discussing on Jacob in Genesis, I couldn't help but ask my own questions. I found myself being challenged alongside the children with the question of "Why did God allow Jacob to go through so many hard life experiences?" In December I will have been in ministry for 3 years (can't believe it!) and I have heard on many occasions, "Why does God allow bad things to happen?"
As I sat with the 5th and 6th graders and ventured through Jacob's story with his brother Esau, stealing the birthright, wrestling with God, questioning His authority, and struggling with God's plan for him I was reminded of how we are all like Jacob. I can count so many times where I chose to go against what I knew was right and the times in my life where I have questioned God's hand in the events that occur. Jacob is the perfect character to remind us that life is a roller coaster and that we are called to draw to God in midst of our struggles. Was this always Jacob's response? Clearly not! It is through his honesty and hardship that we see what a true relationship with God can look like even when we question. In our human nature, we try to make sense of the things going on around us and we are often left with more questions.
The story of Jacob reminds me of how gracious and intentional our God is with us. He desires a close relationship with us, even when we intentionally choose to be far from Him. He seeks us out to restore us, even when everything we see is chaotic. On this midweek day, be encouraged and reminded that amidst the papers, relationships, assignments and busy times of life, we serve a God who is right there with us.
Kjersti Lang
Assistant Director: Youth and Young Adults
"He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit." -Titus 3:5
I hope that this letter finds you well in this transition time into our fall season. For us here at the church, this is a time that has given me an opportunity to transition into new relationships and activities. One of those is that of being able to join our children's Oasis group on Tuesday nights. As I was preparing for the group last night and what we were going to be discussing on Jacob in Genesis, I couldn't help but ask my own questions. I found myself being challenged alongside the children with the question of "Why did God allow Jacob to go through so many hard life experiences?" In December I will have been in ministry for 3 years (can't believe it!) and I have heard on many occasions, "Why does God allow bad things to happen?"
As I sat with the 5th and 6th graders and ventured through Jacob's story with his brother Esau, stealing the birthright, wrestling with God, questioning His authority, and struggling with God's plan for him I was reminded of how we are all like Jacob. I can count so many times where I chose to go against what I knew was right and the times in my life where I have questioned God's hand in the events that occur. Jacob is the perfect character to remind us that life is a roller coaster and that we are called to draw to God in midst of our struggles. Was this always Jacob's response? Clearly not! It is through his honesty and hardship that we see what a true relationship with God can look like even when we question. In our human nature, we try to make sense of the things going on around us and we are often left with more questions.
The story of Jacob reminds me of how gracious and intentional our God is with us. He desires a close relationship with us, even when we intentionally choose to be far from Him. He seeks us out to restore us, even when everything we see is chaotic. On this midweek day, be encouraged and reminded that amidst the papers, relationships, assignments and busy times of life, we serve a God who is right there with us.
Kjersti Lang
Assistant Director: Youth and Young Adults