Sharing from Kelly Kang of Gracepoint Fellowship Church
Hi everyone,
Kelly Kang shared this with us a couple a days ago. I thought I’d post it up. For those of you who are new to a2f or Gracepoint, Kelly Kang is Pastor Ed Kang’s wife and they both lead Gracepoint Fellowship Church in the San Francisco Bay Area.
From Kelly —–
This past week as we are hit with the news of 800 fires throughout northern CA, I was reminded of our total vulnerability and powerlessness before fire. As I was driving back to Alameda, I thought about the possibility of the fire hitting Sierra Lodge. It doesn’t matter how many hours we put into building that house, furnishing it and stocking it with everything to make that place into such a wonderful place to be at, If the wind decides to pick up and change towards the direction of our house, we are completely at its mercy. All is lost. In the mist of constant checking on the status of the fire, I was reminded of 2 Peter 3:10-14
10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
As I was reflecting on this verse, I was thinking about our home in heaven, the home of righteousness. No fire can destroy it. it’s eternally secure. I have my permanent residence there. in the meanwhile, while we are in this earthly tent, we can invest in eternity. We can invest in our home in heaven. I was thinking about all the hours of fellowship, bonding, hard work, perseverance, sacrifice that resulted as we built Sierra Lodge together. I realized that even if all is lost by the fire, not ALL Is lost. In fact, ALL is gain because we are eternal beings and the work that we put in, we did as a sacrifice and a fragrant offering to God.
Btw, the fire in this area is 35% contained and things are looking better although air quality is pretty bad still.
Gracepoint Berkeley: Acts2fellowship - A College Campus Ministry 
[…] Kelly was sharing some of the things she had been thinking about in light of the fires (no pun intended at all). It gave me a lot to think about in terms of what […]
Thoughts from Kelly Kang re: NorCal Fires « Gracepoint Berkeley Home Group 7 said this on July 8, 2008 at 5:04 am |
Thank you for sharing!
as i was up at the Sierra Lodge this past weekend, I thought about this post and I thought about the many hours that all of us have put into the house. I remember the many days we spent working on the plumbing, hvac, electrical, framing, blocking, everything… but as kelly points out, it can be gone just like that. so i’m reminded of one of her recent posts: http://kellykangblog.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/heavenly_hope and how that also captures that even if we lose everything and nothing goes our way, we as Christians, can have hope because we believe that God has raised Jesus from the dead. and b/c of that even if i can’t control my time, finances, family, job, etc… i do not need to despair but i can have hope b/c of my salvation and hope for heaven.
thanks. kelly kang’s blog is filled with lots of devotional time sharings and experiences from ministering at Gracepoint Fellowship Church…and it’s updated frequently! check it out if you haven’t yet: http://kellykangblog.wordpress.com