Finding the right career path is something many of us wrestle with. Our friend V. Chang shares a beautifully story of how she discovered God’s calling for her. “The Bible tells us that we are all gifted in different ways to do His divine work (read I Corinthians 12), so without consulting Him, how will we ever find our path? I hope my story both encourages and edifies you to take a step of faith – even blindly – onto the path He has prepared for you.”
Choosing a career path is arguably one of the most crucial decisions a person must make in his or her young life.Often, I meet people from all walks of life who ask me how I got into teaching.My answer always begins with, “By the grace of God…by the grace of God!”Truly, His career path for me has been blessed with several trials of my faith and trust in Him.
To begin, I should share that throughout my childhood, people always saw within me the leadership, organization, and persistence it takes to become a tenacious teacher.In short, they told me, “You are really bossy, you should become a teacher.”But, being stubborn and descended from a long line of preachers & teachers, I resisted on the premise that I wanted to be my own person – an individual.So, during my high school and into my university/college days, I took courses in the Humanities and in Environmental Studies without any consideration for Teacher’s College preparations.At the end of my four years of undergraduate studies, I felt unprepared for the next step on a career path.I knew what I didn’t want to do, namely anything that I had studied.But, what was I supposed to do?Why did I have to take the next step feeling so blind?
Being based in LA we sometimes have the opportunity to meet incredibly talented artists and musicians. Even more inspiring is when they share with us how their faith has helped them overcome obstacles in life and achieve their goals and aspirations as entertainers. Here at WitnessLA, we are so blessed to be able to launch a new series of artist testimonies with a story from our friend Shin-B the MC.
Shin-B is a female hip hop MC from LA. She’s performed all throughout the States and toured Korea extensively. Shin-B has been featured on Power 106 and has performed with the likes of Jay Sean and many others. She shares with us the story behind one of her new songs “See You There.”
“all things happen for a reason.”
i never understood what that meant. i always felt like life was unfair and that He especially hated me. i didn’t understand why, everything i did and put my heart into failed. i always had to fight to get where i want to go and be where i want to be.
a few years ago, i was in korea and this is where i’d say i reached the lowest, darkest point of my life. i ended up in the ER and it took a toll on me emotionally, physically, and mentally. it was the last straw. i couldn’t take life seriously anymore and contemplated ending my life.
i came back home to la and immediately blocked out everything and everyone. i isolated myself. at what cost must i put myself through all this. i just couldn’t handle it. i was at rock bottom on the verge of ending it. i felt like there was no point in having religion, having faith because i felt He wouldn’t listen anyway, so i began drifting. i began feeling bitterness towards God. it got to the point i didn’t even call myself a Christian anymore. as far as i was concerned, there was no God. but, one day, i got a phone call…[click “Read More” below: continue Shin-B’s testimony, song lyrics, more pictures]
it was from a fellow church member from my grandma’s church in seattle. she broke the news that my grandma had passed. what made it even more tragic was that, her death could’ve been prevented. apparently, she was at the hospital alone with no one to help her communicate with the doctor. she wasn’t very fluent in english at all. the doctor assumed she didn’t want any medication or surgery so he let her be. the doctor didn’t even bother contacting any of her family members. it was complete drama.
at her funeral, i was giving the eulogy and this really opened my eyes to something more. this is what was responsible for my transformation today. it put life in perspective. i began reflecting on my life and everything that’s happened. i was always a weak person and i thought maybe God had me go through all those hardships to strengthen me.
i began realizing the value and lesson hidden behind everything. that i shouldn’t worry or stress or have bitterness because things could’ve been a lot worse. and as time passed, i became stronger and better and better. i began treating my family a lot better. i began treating my friends a lot better. i began treating myself a lot better. and with this renewed spirit, i wanted to reacquiant myself with God, religion, and faith.
it’s funny now when i hang out with old friends. they comment on the change they see in me now and that i’m completely different. i finally feel like i’m on top of a mountain. all that climbing paid off and was in reason. i finally feel like i’m there. even if hardships were to come my way now, i embrace it. i know it’s all for a reason and whether i like it or not, it’s all to help me. help me reach my full potential and live life here with a purpose. now that i understand this concept, i feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders. it really makes you appreciate everyone and everything.
“See You There”
didn’t vision didnt listen didn’t try to break from a jail cell prison on a mission, isolation insulatin heat with a pain called dissin and for a second, i felt that i could take it cuz of an ambition, i felt that i could make it but who u kiddin, u livin in a world got too many folks with the same kinda goals we gotta grow, we got a fault too many hope, for a rise not a fall but who to call, where to turn think u know the road but u dont know at all a dropped call, broke from static think u progressed but to them ur stagnant paid dues but u still make payment fates been sealed, concrete, like the pavement
i’ll see you (see you when i get there) i’ll see you (see you when i get there) see you when i get there
yup, isolation was an answer didn’t wanna bother with any of ya questions so i questioned the point of my existence livin on this earth, but feelin i was dead leanin on the edge, hangin by a thread dangle on a cliff, in my hand was a med do i wanna pop a couple of the pills do i oughta think it’ll muffle how i feel do i wanna end it this time for real if this the solution, do got appeal it’s a judgment, no more appeals with chills down the spine with no more the ills will i see the face of my grandma will i regret, a bad case of karma so many downs, it’s a whole lotta drama is it a goodbye, will i see ya tomorrow
i’ll see you (see you when i get there) i’ll see you (see you when i get there) see you when i get there
i know eventually you’ll see a part of me and i’ll get there and i’ll get there
Our friends at KAC Media share an incredible testimony of a former heroin addict and prostitute who tried to commit suicide multiple times, but God spared her and turned her life upside down. Once homeless and living on Skid Row, she now runs After Hours Ministry, a ministry focused on sharing the gospel with pimps and prostitutes in the sex industry in Los Angeles.
Have you ever felt like a friend or someone you met was literally a Godsend in your life? Our friend Sarah Weichhand shares the amazing story of how two total strangers somehow crossed paths, became the closest of friends, and were ultimately able to bless each other’s lives, all according to God’s plan.
I was standing in the coffee shop just ready to sit down at my already covered table when I saw her from across the room! I often stopped in coffee shops just to relax and spend time reading and talking with the Lord-pen and journal in hand. This particular time, just as I was about to sit down, I noticed this smiling girl with her arms full standing at the opposite end of the coffee shop. She was just brilliantly glowing with joy and smiling from the other side. Hmmm.
Something told me she was not just an ordinary girl. As I saw her there, I felt prompted by the Lord to invite her to my table. From across the room, I motioned her over, “Hey-do you want to come sit over here and talk with me?!!” I smiled to myself. (Stranger things have definitely occurred-but inviting a stranger for coffee, at the time, was a new one for me!) As I motioned to this stranger, she came quickly over and introduced herself. She said her name was Nancy and I told her I felt strongly to invite her to sit with me. I had no idea why.
As we talked, I found out that we had SO MUCH in common! We talked for HOURS-realizing that this was no ordinary meeting, but a divinely orchestrated blessing from heaven.
As Nancy talked, I thought-this is incredible! What the Lord had put in our hearts for this generation, for hurting women, and for our own lives and ministries was almost exactly the same! We had many common experiences and even in our differences, we could somehow relate!
It turns out that months earlier Nancy had had a dream about a friend named Sarah (which happens to be my name) who was standing behind a table filled with delicious foods and was feeding her strawberries…[click “Read More” below to continue]
How often do we pray for the ones we love? Our friend Alex shares an encouraging story of how God immediately answered a prayer for his younger sister in a time of need.
Okay - this is a really quick testimony to God’s power. The more I grow in Him - the more amazed I get by His Grace. God is good.
Some background first - My little sister is a genius - High School valedictorian, at Stanford now, double-major, pre-med, etc. We never really got along too well when we were younger growing up on 2 continents - [brothers - you know what I’m talking about when you’re 13 and your sister is 7 - she’s just messing up your game… jk jk :)] I thank God for His mercy and how He is using me and how we’ve grown. Every time I get down and discouraged it seems that God will use me to encourage those around me - including my little sister. Just as a result of that I instantaneously become exponentially happier and more encouraged. God is good.
May I share with you a clear, crisp example of God answering a prayer? I’ve been praying for my sister to be encouraged. She’s going through a lot right now and I’ve been praying specifically for a clear sign from God to her that He loves her and that He is in complete control.
Sunday night I was praying with a couple of other people and we lifted up this prayer together. It was around 10:30pm. Literally as soon as we were done praying my phone started vibrating. It did it 2 times in a row. I chose to ignore it as I wanted to continue to pay attention to my prayer group. Then it rang a 3rd time. Finally took it out - it was my little sister…[click “Read More” below to continue]
We often look at our lives in Christ and our work lives as two separate and distinct things. But what would happen if we just took the simple step in faith to start praying for our office and our co-workers? Our friend M shares a incredible story of how God directly and immediately answered her prayers and transformed her workplace in a way no one could have ever expected.
My company is in the consulting industry.We service both private and public clients.Since banks have been more stringent with their lending standards, business to private clients have suffered as they no longer have the funds to pay for our services.Our public clients, like cities, are cutting back on their spending for our services too because they are suffering from budget shortfall from fallen property values, and lower sales tax revenues (people are spending less because they have less to spend).We are living in a period of great economic difficulties.So it should come as no surprise that I started praying because that’s all that I can do to maintain my sanity.
My company has been struggling since the start of the recession.We had painful layoffs of up to 50% of our workforce.Our remaining staff members had their bonuses eliminated and endured salary cuts as high as 30%.We have been operating in “survival mode”, where our focus has been turned away from growth to only doing those things to stabilize our balance sheets from further losses.Morale has been so low that some staff members have prepared themselves for layoffs by having their personal belongings packed in boxes, ready for further “pink slips” handouts.Fearful and frustrated, I began asking God to pour out his blessings on us.
I believe one of our worse periods was 4th quarter of 2009 when we suffered 3 consecutive months of financial losses. I remembered praying during that time for God’s grace and divine blessings to take us out of our unprofitable state. In January of 2010 my company reported a profit.The revenues booked for that month was enough to offset 3 months (October through December 2009) worth of financial losses.For the first time in over a year, our spirits were lifted and we started to be hopeful about the future.I knew in my heart this was an act of God because this spectacular sales performance was extremely difficult and wouldn’t have been humanly possibly for my struggling company to achieve on its own.
Nick Vujicic, who was born without limbs, shares his powerful testimony of how by God’s grace he’s living a fulfilling life, free from all bondage (spiritual, emotional, psychological, mental, and physical), because he looks not at the deficiencies in his life but to the sufficiency of Jesus Christ.
“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13 (NIV)
I got to know God really well from a very humbling experience. A few years back he had asked me to quit my job and I remembered panicking at the thought of not having an income. I remembered reading Joshua 1:9 and sensed God was speaking directly to me with the verse: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” I had read the bible numerous of times and have often been critical of characters who were weak in faith like the rich young ruler, who refused to sell off everything to follow God.I thought that if I were in his place I would have whole-heartedly given away everything because I had experienced God so intimately.I thought I loved God more than the world but I soon found out I was no better than the people I criticized.
I didn’t want to quit because I had a good position with a good salary in a bad economy. I was so scared because I wasn’t prepared for what would happen afterwards. I remembered asking God to give me peace and clarity about this decision but I just became more and more confused. My emotions were all over map. I felt peace one day and then had anxiety attacks the next. I became so confused that I wasn’t sure if it was God asking me to leave my job. So I began praying differently. Just like Gideon, I asked for a specific sign so I would know it was God speaking to me. I prayed, “Lord, please help me because I’m so lost and confused. I don’t know left from right and up from down. Please tell me clearly if you want me to quit my job. Please give me a sign. Please…please…please help me…like put something in my chair at work so that I know it’s you. Please let me know if it’s a green light to go.” Files were usually hand delivered to me or left on my desk.Rarely, if at all, was anything dropped off on my chair.At the time I didn’t know God would answer tangible and specific prayers so I figure I would ask for the impossible so that I could continue to keep my job.
A few weeks later I almost fainted when I found the Business 2.0 magazine in my chair titled “Go Green”. Not only does no one ever leave anything in my chair, but God had literally given me the “green light” I had specifically asked him for. There was my answer: quit your job.
I know what I had to do but I was too scared to do it. I couldn’t handle all the insecurities that came with being jobless so I hid from God. I stopped reading the bible and I stopped praying all together.I was laid off a year later. I thought I got want I deserved but to my surprise God blessed me. He gave me a large severance package and bonuses that more than cover the number of months that I was unemployed. He took care of me. Instead of punishing me for not having faith, Jesus loved me to a point of gentle repentance so that I would come back to him. It was humbling to get undeserved grace. I repented, God forgave me and we started over.
I wish I could tell you that I am at a point where I can give up everything for God. Walking in faith is still a struggle, however by God’s grace I am improving.I am learning to trust.I guess for me it’s not something instantaneous, rather it’s more like a process—-steps in faith.And it’s by God’s grace I am able to see his unconditional love and devotion for someone like me despite my shortcomings. He has every reason to not love me but he still does. It’s because of his faithfulness our relationship still works. Even though this isn’t one of my proudest moments, I’m grateful it happened because I got to see deeper into who God—someone worthy of leaving a job for.
Does God have a calling and purpose for our lives? And if so, how does He reveal that to us? Our friend Milton shares an insightful testimony of his own path to finding, losing and rediscovering God’s will for his life:
“A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for” ~ William Shedd
Finding true purpose in life can often elude us and cause us to feel empty if we are not successful in truly discovering or uncovering a vocation for our time on this earth. But what happens when you know that God has answered your prayers and has given you a clearly defined calling, has shown you the paths to follow, has reminded you about your obligations to His people, has been patient and waited for you, and has made it clear that He has given you every bit of talent that is required to achieve the goals that He has put in your heart? There is no worse feeling than waking up to the hinting reality that perhaps you have wasted valuable time in the service that you once promised to God. This is where this story begins for me, as I look back and realize how many years have passed since God first called me, and how much more I could have done.
I arrived to the U.S. when I was 15 years old and just a month later, was deeply mourning the tragic and sudden death of my beloved Grandmother—an event that would change my life tremendously. Consequently, an uncle happened to invite me to a charismatic youth group and explained that it would ‘make me feel better.’ I had been raised within the Catholic church, went to strict Catholic schools all of my life, and knew the concept of God very well, but I had never attended church in the middle of the week. That night, it seemed that everything the preacher (yes, ‘preacher’…this was not a priest or a deacon, but a regular person with a Bible in hands and strong words to say) was saying applied to me, and how I felt at the time. After a calling to go up to the front for prayer, I stood up, walked forward, and that night gave my life to Jesus. My prayer to God was simply that I would serve Him in exchange for a last opportunity to, someday, see my Grandmother one last time and say ‘I love you’ and ‘Good bye’ to her—which I never got to do. God had a plan.
At that age and for the first time in my life, I began to experience the vivid presence of the Holy Spirit as it moved me to follow God’s will and His plan for me. Before then I was someone who had spent numerous years learning about God in school, about the church, learning who Jesus was, praying and having a relationship with the creator, etc., but I had never truly felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. My discovery of the charismatic movement within the Catholic church certainly changed all of that for me and re-shaped all my perspectives. A strong drive and willingness to serve was injected into my life and I wanted to be part of the plan that God has for our lives…[click “Read More” below to continue]
