God came near

This Sunday past, I attended the 4pm service after a badminton session. I had not known that it was to be a confirmation service and that an assistant bishop would be giving the sermon as well as officiating at the service. I was edified by his sermon which focused on three Ss - Scripture, Sacrament and the Holy Spirit.

We had Holy Communion after the sermon. I went up to receive the bread and the wine. I had asked God to forgive me for my sins, such as slipping behind in my quiet time, not settling yet into a cellgroup and other unmentionables etc, before I took communion.

I was served the bread by the assistant bishop, who placed a piece of bread in my hands and started to speak to me beyond his usual blessing. I was terrified that he would censure me on behalf of God because I hadn't been very disciplined in my quiet time lately, so I was trying to pull my hands away from him.As a result of that, I also couldn't hear everything that he said.

He touched my hands and then he said: "You're the light in your office, and you are the light to your colleagues. Be faithful even though you may face ridicule from people in your office....how blessed it is to be approved of God. You have God's approval."

I was too stunned to react, quite emotional and almost in tears because the words came to me at a most appropriate time. As well, I had feared the Lord would discipline me; instead, He bestowed on me His love.

I was so deeply humbled because of what the assistant bishop said to me. God's words through him really encouraged me a lot and strengthened my faith in Him even more. God came near to me, even though I had strayed far from him.

I'm reminded of the lyrics to a song, Grace Has Called My Name, by Kathryn Scott:

Grace has called my name
When all that I had left were just filthy stains
Grace has called my name
When hope had all but faded far away
Grace called my name

I just want to give God all the glory and thank Him that He called my name.