Reflections — 4/8/2022

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. (1 Corinthians 3:6–8)

Yesterday, I went to a campus outreach event hosted by my fellowship. We set up a little stand on library walk and shared our faith with those who happened to walk by. We also approached people and shared the gospel to those who were willing to talk with us. I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed the event. I was able to evangelize with my friends (shoutout Soowon and Aidan who I paired up with, but also everyone who showed up) and we had some good conversations with the people we met. Also, someone brought donuts and candy, which I happily helped myself to.

Usually, I am a bit nervous whenever I do campus evangelism, but I wasn’t nervous yesterday. I think God really answered my prayer and gave me extra boldness and courage. Even when people we approached didn’t really want to talk to us, I just sat down and tried to make conversation anyways, and it actually resulted in some pretty good conversations. Sometimes a little perseverance and stubbornness is a good thing.

I read 1 Corinthians 3:6–8 in my devotions yesterday morning and it came back to my mind as I was evangelizing. Through these verses, I was reminded that my fruitfulness in sharing the gospel is not ultimately dependent on me. I may plant and water, but in the end it is God who gives the growth. This really encouraged me as I was sharing the gospel to continue planting and watering, trusting God to give the growth to the people I talk to according to His will and timing. These verses also filled me with so much joy because it reminded me that I will receive my wages according to my labor, not my results. So even if I did not achieve anything today, I stored up treasure in heaven because I gave my heart, time, and energy to God in sharing the gospel. And this treasure in heaven is treasure that I can enjoy forever and ever in God! So let us continue to labor for God and lay up for ourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal! (Matthew 6:20)