This all changed in August 2008 when I felt God calling me to go to an un-acredited Bible college. I had heard from quite a few people who had gone to this particular Bible college how spiritually dry and legalistic the place was. I was not excited, but God had given me visions of how he was wanting to revive the college, and I definitely wanted to be a part of that! I wanted to be a part of God's work. God had brought some awesome guys into my life who had the same kinds of vision for the Bible college, which excited me. So a couple of months went by and nothing much was happening. My friends and I went to a church in Carpenteria to attend their ministry conference. The Spirit spoke to us and told us to trust him and be faithful in the small things that he had put in front of us. Despite the lack of passion in the worship, both corporate worship and everyday life worship, we needed to keep pressing forward trusting in Jesus to do a good work. Jesus is good no matter where you go; just because the circumstances change does not mean the way we interact with Jesus changes.
Every Sunday night is community worship at college, and we were excited because there is something about worshipping with a lot of people with guitars and drums (it's Biblical!). The Holy Spirit began to move and for about an hour, the Spirit was giving words of wisdom and encouragement to all 300-400 of us. People were yelling out whatever the Spirit was putting on their hearts, and everybody was encouraged. One thing the Spirit was putting on my heart was blessing the Lord despite the circumstances around us: whether in good times or bad times. We were all stoked because we weren't expecting the movement of the Spirit to happen the day we got back!
After community worship, a lot of us go to get food and hang out for a little bit. Most of my friends were already eating so I was rushing to get to In-N-Out. I pulled out of the Bible college and began driving. I did not realize that I was going 62mph in a 45mph zone. I also did not realize that there was a cop right behind me. I made a right turn and he flashed his lights behind me. Keeping it short, I got a ticket for speeding and I guess my license was expired. Lamo. I was stressed and freaking out because I literally physically can not pay for a ticket right now, nor will I be able to afford my insurance when it goes up. As I was driving to In-N-Out, I was talking with Jesus and he was telling me that even though I was stupid and messed up, he was going to take care of it. The words that the Spirit was giving me were for me! Despite my circumstances, still will I bless the name of the Lord!
As I was laying in bed, I began reading Matthew 14:25-27, which says, "And in the fourth watch of the night he [Jesus] came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.'" This ticket looks like a ghost and I honestly do not know what I am going to do, but Jesus was telling me "This is me, not a ghost." He is going to use this self-inflicted burden to sanctify me and make me more like him. I need not worry, because Jesus holds the universe and has his eyes on those who love him.
In conclusion, the Lord taught me a huge lesson: blessed be the Name of the Lord in ALL circumstances! I got a speeding ticket! And blessed be the Name of the Lord!
