I DID NOT CHOOSE GOD, BUT GOD CHOSE ME (Part 3)
God sees our beginning and our ending all at once. He is the one who has planned all of our days and therefore He knows what’s best for us – all the time. Pastor Glenzon Andal, an IT missionary, saw how God prepared for his future as He called him to do missions.
Pastor Glenzon majored in Education, a major which he wasn’t fond of, but he took it just for the sake of getting a diploma back then. Little did he know that God has a purpose as to why he studied Education. While doing missions, Pastor Glenzon got a teaching job in two schools in Thailand. He didn't expect that he would be teaching, and it was an unexpected blessing. He got a visa and a stable income. Although it was hard at first because of the distance between the two schools yet by the grace of God he managed to work there.
Pastor Glenzon also continues working in the church. He and Pastor John had been painting the church for two months. Two weeks later after they were done painting, there was a conflict of interest between the family of the landlord, thus they had to move to a new location. They kept an open mind and thought that their labor in the Lord is not in vain. As they found a new place for the worship service, God truly blessed them, and the church became prosperous until this day. Indeed, their efforts were not in vain. Even though they encountered some setbacks in the beginning, it strengthened their faith. It is also a great encouragement for them to see people coming to the Lord through this Christian church.
The world halted when the pandemic happened, however, Pastor Glenzon and his family saw that God is still in control. When COVID-19 broke out in Thailand, Pastor Glenzon and his wife saw how God moves in their lives during the pandemic. His wife gave birth to their child on March 1st, and it was the last day of his work at school because the lockdown was implemented. His wife had to undergo a C-section which cost a lot.
The situation seemed to be overwhelming. They’re in a foreign land and their source of income was cut due to the circumstances. Pastor Glenzon had some money saved, but it won’t be enough for their needs since there was no assurance as to when the lockdown would be lifted. However, they trusted God and experienced another miracle. They have seen how God moved, from 31,000 Baht they only had to pay 22,000 Baht for his wife's hospital bill. Hence, they had extra money to use during the lockdown for five months as Pastor Glenzon stopped working. They were able to buy their needs and didn't lack anything during the lockdown. God is truly magnificent! He knows their needs and makes sure that they won’t lack anything.
God’s blessings didn’t stop there. God granted his desire to study in a Bible School when an opportunity to study the gospel opened its doors for him. He would be ordained this December and it’s all thanks to God for giving him the chance to broaden his knowledge so God could use him in far greater things. He remembered starting from scratch, but he saw that their every need was provided by God. They would receive blessings from the least expected people whom God used.
Pastor Glenzon always remembers the things he heard from Pastor Gani Sison, IT Executive Director. “Faith means taking a risk. You won’t get God’s blessings if you don’t move forward” Pastor Glenzon quoted. Thailand is a “Land of Promise” for Pastor Glenzon and his family. He also desires to go to Australia, and he believes that when the Lord wills it, they can go there someday. He believes that the Lord knows his heart, therefore he trusts Him with his dreams. He continues to serve the Lord in Thailand and believes that the Lord continues to work in him and through him. The supposedly three months short-term trip in Thailand became three years and counting. Only the Lord knows how long Pastor Glenzon is going to serve in Thailand, but he is glad to faithfully serve and obey the Lord.
The Lord has far greater plans in the life of Pastor Glenzon. He is the God who chose him, and he is blessed that among all the people in the whole world, God’s eye was on him. He vowed to serve the Lord and give praise to Him all the days of his life.
For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great are His mercy and loving-kindness toward those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him. Take God at His word today. His word is true, and He has promised that He will give us everything we would ever need for life.
John 15:16
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
(Written by: Venus Jablo)
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