Introducing Chicago UBF Church Members: Monica B. “I Am The LORD’s Servant”

By Sam L.

“I Am The Lord’s Servant”

“And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.” -Luke 1:38

Recently Monica B. graciously offered to share lunch with me, knowing that my wife is away in Korea caring for her mother. Monica’s caring nature isn’t a surprise; she previously cared for Joseph Chung during his chemotherapy and his last days, embodying a truly maternal presence.

Though I had to decline Monica’s offer due to another commitment, I welcomed the opportunity to share a coffee with her. As we sipped our drinks, I asked Monica about the verse that had profoundly impacted her life. With a serene demeanor, Monica closed her eyes and recited Luke 1:38: “I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.”

Monica recounted her journey of faith, detailing how her encounter with the Bible through UBF (University Bible Fellowship) transformed her from a Samaritan woman into a devoted servant of the Lord. Intrigued by Monica’s story and its potential connection to my father’s experiences as a senior pastor at Chicago UBF, I wanted to delve deeper, eager to understand the intersection of her faith journey and her interactions with my dad.

Monica smiled as she began to recall a poignant incident involving my dad, her Bible mentor, one that had left a lasting impression on her. She recounted a time when, as a bi-vocational campus worker juggling full-time work with ministry duties, she made a significant mistake. Though she didn’t delve into the details of the error, she shared how my dad, summoning her to his office, uttered words that shook her to the core: “Your actions deny your faith. You are not the LORD’s servant anymore.” With a heavy heart, Monica realized her career at UBF was over.

This admonition served as a wake-up call for Monica, prompting deep introspection and repentance before God. To her surprise her senior pastor, displaying humility uncommon in leaders, awaited her at the entrance until she emerged. Monica was taken aback to find him there. Her senior pastor apologized for his harsh words, acknowledging that it was not his place to revoke her status as a servant of God. As a pastor, he could admonish her behavior or actions, but he recognized the limit of his authority when it came to discerning her heart motives. He humbly stated, “It is not my place to say you are servant of God or not. Forgive me going over my authority.”

This gesture of humility and apology marked the beginning of a profound relationship between Monica and her senior pastor. My dad emphasized that it was not his but God who appointed her as His servant, and my dad, recognizing this divine calling, showed respect despite her shortcomings.

In reflecting on this experience, Monica underscored the truth that our status as servants of God is determined by His grace and appointment, not by human judgment. Despite her imperfections, Monica found solace in God’s covenant promise and His transformative power of word, shaping her into a new person. Indeed, as Monica eloquently concluded, “We are all God’s servants by the grace of Jesus. It is God who appoints us, and no one can fire me except God Himself, or if we choose to walk away from Him. God is not done with me.”

Paul said in Romans 11:29 that “for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.” Father God bestows numerous gifts upon His children, and He never takes them back. The Bible resounds with tales of God’s unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people. God’s people might go up and down but his conventional love never changes.

We give thanks for the life of faith lived by Monica. Despite her advanced age, she devotes herself to caring for an elderly lady who visits her every morning, engaging in hours of uninterrupted conversation. When asked how she manages, Monica simply replied, “She has been wounded so deeply. She needs my listening ears.”

In addition to her compassionate care, Monica spends her time teaching the Bible one-on-one to seventeen individuals each week. When questioned about her remarkable dedication, she responded, “I am the LORD’s servant..” Continuing, she emphasized, “Regardless of my actions, I repent daily and awaken each morning with a commitment to serve God faithfully, striving to finish my life well before Him. I am acutely aware of my limited time on this earth. If God is willing, I’d like to be raptured into heaven. Please pray for me to finish well.”

Monica’s story is just one example of the remarkable individuals who make up our church family.

Chicago UBF is a community of imperfect saints united by the transforming power of God’s word, compassion, and a shared desire to serve and grow closer to Him.