Origins Conference

By Sarah Salcido

I had a sense of excitement with a hint of anticipation when arriving at Nokia Live in downtown Los Angeles for the Origins Conference. I was looking forward to being amongst a diverse group of people who share a common passion to love and serve others that stems from their love of Christ. At the conference there were multiple panel discussions, interviews, and speakers that all shared what the Lord is doing in their life and how they are being used to embody the Gospel. By the end of the conference, I felt inspired, encouraged, and empowered.

The speakers and panelists came from a wide array of different professional fields that all spoke of tangible ways they are helping and caring for others. Many of the panelists saw a certain need in their community or somewhere across the world and were moved to do something about it. I was inspired by these panelists like Blake Mycoskie the maker of Toms Shoes, and Scott Harrison the creator of Charity: Water and how they had both wanted to meet some basic needs of people in different countries. Blake wanted orphans to have shoes, and Scott wanted people in developing countries to have clean water (check out their websites: http://www.toms.com/ and http://www.charitywater.org/). After listening to both men’s stories on how they started with a small idea that turned into something bigger than they expected, I was reminded that it’s not about what we can do, but what God can do.

The conference reaffirmed a couple things that the Lord has been teaching me. Being a social worker, I constantly hear stories of pain and see needs of people that are not being meet. Sometimes when I get overwhelmed with all that I see, I have fleeting thoughts that I am only one person and do not know if God can use me to make a difference. One of the speakers had mentioned that silence is powerful. I know when I have these thoughts, it can silence me and will stop me from taking action. I was reminded at the conference that we have all been given special talents and blessings for the purpose of the Kingdom of God. I was encouraged when I heard countless stories of how God did amazing things through others when they were obedient to something that the Lord had placed on their heart. Even though I am one person, God is so much bigger. Jesus said that, “if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you" (Matthew 17:19-20). This excites me! I desire to listen to the soft whispers of the Holy Spirit because when we are obedient and are moved to action, great things happen.

Finally, I was left empowered through the idea that even in our brokenness, the Lord can use us. A speaker stated that God can use and turn our weaknesses into something beautiful and powerful that can help us connect to humanity. I believe our transformed lives through Christ are what should drive us to serve and love others. As Christ followers we are to “not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). Therefore, we need to create and dream big because we serve a big God.