A young woman immigrated from Taiwan with her husband to pursue a life in America. She passed up a full college scholarship so she could work to support her husband's career as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. She took care of the dental clinic they opened up beneath their home. She took care of several rental properties they owned and all their finances. She had two sons whom she raised while her husband worked. She worked hard on making sure they received awards in extracurricular activities and graduated with high honors. She controlled it all to make sure she could give the best life for her family. Many people praised her for her perfect parenting skills but in her heart, she felt empty. Her home was full of life, love, and support but she was in complete brokenness. Her husband chose his mother's wishes over his wife's. As her sons grew older, the oldest with his doctorate lived a care-free disobedient life, and her second son, while in his doctorate program, became a drug addict and got kicked out of doctorate school. She felt hopeless, frustrated, and only blamed herself. Her marriage was falling apart, and her two sons did not want anything to do with a controlling mom. This was the point where she understood that she was not wanted by anyone. “Where do I belong? Who would want me?” she thought to herself. As she turned to end her life, she found hope in Christ and found she belonged to God.
Ephesians 1:4 reads “For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight”. God chose Christians in Christ before we existed and redeemed us from sin and death as He had planned. Verse 5 goes on to say, “He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will”. God appointed us as his children establishing a relationship with Him and receiving His blessings. Jesus’s relationships were with many different individuals who lived in sin. However, these sinners believed in His healing, His forgiveness, and His love. Verse 11 goes on to say, “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will…”. This emphasizes when becoming a child of God, we are given an inheritance which is eternity with Him. We belong to a good father who has provided a way for our every need and help us endure pain and suffering, and we can celebrate by knowing we have inherited His kingdom. Romans 12:12 is a verse I keep in mind. “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”. I will rejoice in knowing as I belong to Him, that I can be hopeful that God will get me through many situations, knowing my inheritance in heaven helps me endure tough circumstances, and constant prayer with the Lord knowing that I go to Him and He hears me brings me peace.
As we encounter situations, good and bad, let us be reminded of who we belong. All who receive Christ will become a child of God through faith (John 1:12).
Guzik, D. (2018). Ephesians 1- God’s Ultimate Plan. Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/ephesians-1/
Edna Yang (N. Kx. Nus Yaaj)
Edna Moua Yang is married to Rev. Nou Yang (Kx. Nus Yaaj). They are currently serving at Living Stone Alliance Church in Appleton, Wisconsin as Associate Pastors. They have two children, Amelia (4) and Caleb (2). Edna has been serving alongside her husband for 6 years, this May, and it has been an exciting journey. They are blessed to be back in her hometown and serve in the community. Edna's free time consist of family time with outdoor walks and gatherings. Volleyball is her favorite sport, and she can live off of ramen and baked goods. Fun facts about Edna are that she is afraid of most bugs, has a major sweet tooth, and her oldest sister named her after the nurse that helped deliver her.