Bryan/College Station Seventh-day Adventist Church College Station TX

Bryan/College Station Seventh-day Adventist Church

Why was I there? Email page | Print page

Date: Apr 18, 2008 Previous
By Pr. Gio Marin

Last Friday we buried my grandmother, and I can recall clearly asking myself, "Why am I going?" I know Grandma would have preferred that I would stay with my churches and be directly involved in my ministry. Didn't Jesus say, "Let the dead bury the dead?" Besides, I knew that she died with her faith in Jesus Christ, so this momentary departure is just that — momentary. One day we would see each other again in an earth made new. Yet, despite those thoughts, it was too late, and I was on a plane headed toward New Jersey. Even at the funeral I felt my ministry back in Texas tugging at my heart. I longed to be with the people I shepherd, and enough family members were present to provide each other with comfort. I didn't need to be there. What did God have in mind?

It turns out that God, like always, had plenty in mind. You see, I have a huge family; as a matter of fact, I have 44 first cousins from my dad's side alone, and many are not in a committed relationship with Jesus Christ. Many of them, with their spouses, as well as family from my mom's side, were present at the funeral. The place was packed with family, and when you add our friends and church family, the funeral home was overflowing. The show of support was both humbling and a source of comfort never to be forgotten for various reasons.

One of those reasons, it turns out, was because it was the first time my family ever heard me "preach." (Grandma never got that chance.) It wasn't really a sermon, it lasted about 10 minutes, but I spoke from the heart, both as a grandson and as a minister of the gospel. I spoke about her life and made an appeal to consider that life is short and we need Jesus at the center. I was glad I spoke; yet I still felt that there was more God wanted from me, and he pointed it out through my aunt Sonia. Her burden for our wayward aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins inspired her to bring church to them, because she knew they wouldn't go to church over the weekend. Therefore she set up a church service especially for them, right in my parents' living room. God's Spirit was present.

We spoke candidly about the gospel, salvation, parenting and, first and foremost, our relationship with God. Kids shared openly with their parents about their concerns, about religion, partying, communication, salvation, heaven and hell. Parents spoke about their concerns for their kids not to make the mistakes they've made, pleading that they would recognize that life without Jesus is not worth it. There was weeping and pleading for the hard-hearted to surrender to Christ. There were watery eyes among my lost family members — evidence that the Holy Spirit was calling them to surrender. As I facilitated this worship service, I had the best view, and I could see in the faces and eyes of those there that God was in our midst. Some were recognizing their frailty, while others may have been hardening their hearts to what was being shared, and during that time I knew why I had to be there. God prepared that moment, that event, that house church for us to share the gospel of Christ with those we love. There were family and friends from Texas, Puerto Rico, Florida and other states, gathered together who otherwise wouldn't be, and God spoke directly to each one of them. What will be the outcome? I don't know, but I know that hearts felt the presence of God. I just pray they surrender to Jesus sooner rather than later.

Where is your heart? Is it surrendered to Jesus, or are you still running? If you are still running from God, heed His call, "Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest." Grandma rests in Him, I rest in Him — you can too