Ruth's Ramblings

Full Weekend

I missed out on the Women's Supper Club Friday night (I really wanted to come!) but instead, we were invited to a CMDA (Christian Medical Dental Association) meeting for the Sacramento chapter. There was a local OMF missionary, who is an FP doctor, and currently serving in China. It was at his house in Davis and he was sharing about his experiences and ministries. It turns out that his wife was actually the guest speaker for the Supper Club that very night. I felt really blessed by his sharing - and especially by his perspective, attitude, and approach towards his involvement in God's work.

He shared from Isaiah 43:10-13, a personal passage that laid heavy on his heart. When he read the passage, this is what most of us usually see:

"You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed - I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"

The focus is on us, and we are primarily concerned with the following questions when it comes to serving God and going out on missions: What can we give to the Lord? What have we to offer? What can we do?

Rather, through this OMF missionary's sharing, I'm reminded that the focus is off of us, but on God instead:

"You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no savior. I have revealed and saved and proclaimed - I, and not some foreign god among you. You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"

It's all about who God is, and what he is already doing! The question to ask, rather, is: What is God doing, and how can I join in what He has already set to do?

As Rick Warren says, it certainly isn't all about me! And I'm grateful for the reminder...!
He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)


As for the rest of the weekend, I drove down to San Jose Saturday morning and spent the rest of the weekend with NY. She and the rest of us BMs went to Lisa's Tea Treasures at Santana Row for lunch - yummy! Then some of us went shopping a bit. I finally got Bare Essentials makeup (I've been wanting to try them out for the longest time!) and I really like it! The sample kit comes with three brushes (2 face, 1 concealer), two foundation powders, one mineral veil powder, one warmth powder, an instructional DVD, and a bottle of gentle facial cleaser. I'm liking it alot - very light, yet just enough coverage. =) Later, we went cuban for dinner - a place known for great mojitos. I also went to 5th Home for church the next morning and saw alot of old friends, one of them being an unexpected (but very pleasant!) surpise - an old PI teammate I hadn't seen since 1999. There were little blessings everywhere I turned. =)

All in all, I'm reminded how valuable my girlfriends are - and the time we have is so precious! We got a chance to catch up and have those girlfriend talks. I drove back up, exhausted, but happy. =)

Posted by Ruth at 5/23/2005