SEEMINGLY POOR, YET RICHES FOR MANY (Yvonne—My One and Only Beloved)
By Paul Lai
Translated by Sunny Tso
God gave me the task of planting and responsibility of pastoring the Ottawa church for fourteen years. Being a Pastor is not as simple as most people may think. The difficulties and the sense of isolation in our hearts are beyond most people’s understanding. We have experienced all types of trials over the years including heavy workload, shortage of basic essentials, and psychological harms caused by others. However, when we see the many lives changed because of knowing Jesus, from being unbelievers to coming to acceptance, being brought from darkness to light, going from sadness to joy, from worrying to gladness, and from bondage to freedom, all the hardship became insignificant and in fact well worth the sacrifice. The Apostle Paul said: “Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.” 1 Corinthians 4:1
The road of a Pastor may be full of trials, but through these storms our lives will produce the glory and value God wants in us so He can use us more for His work. Whenever I am weak, He makes me strong; whenever I suffer He comforts me. His glorious light fills my heart. Many people say we have received the greatest blessing through our vocation, and thank God, we have no regret as He chose us first. There are others who commented that “his sermons are as natural as breathing, there is no great wisdom or elegant words, but the message comes from the heart making it practical just like life itself.” I truly believe all the sufferings are meant to produce great blessings from God. (Because through suffering, we will experience God’s comfort, healing, presence, and hence we can share with others who are experiencing the same.) The Lord will use our suffering to bless others.