Bianca M.

Today, Bianca speaks to us about the danger of “safe”, how God spoke to her through her son, and praying for wisdom.

Tell us a bit about how you grew up and your childhood: I grew up in the Catholic church, going to mass every Sunday. I enjoyed the peacefulness of mass, that we went together as a family, the singing and the after-church Chinese food our parents treated us to. It gave me a sense of God’s existence, though I didn’t have a habit of reading the Bible so I didn’t quite understand why we had to obey all the rules we were taught. I was an inquisitive child, but mostly very well behaved, until I went to secondary school and I started to notice the boys! There began the saga of trying to be a good Catholic girl. There, I recognised I couldn’t do it in my own effort. 

Inspiring biblical passage of the moment: “Our hope does not put us to shame for God pours out His love into our hearts.” Romans 5:5 — what an incredible verse it is showing the purpose and beauty of suffering!  

Spiritual growth focus at the moment: I am praying a lot for wisdom and discernment. I see why Solomon prayed for that rather than anything else. He wanted to make good decisions and to be effective in his calling. I want my words and my actions to be effective in leading people to Jesus. 

Profession: I am a writer. At 19 I heard God say: ‘I want you to tell people stories’. I don’t feel like I have done that so much. But I do feel like since then I have been always writing and improving my gift.  

If you wrote a memoir, what would the title be? God Laughs at Our Plans.

When did you first encounter God and how did you encounter Him? I believe I encountered God the Father through the Catholic Church but only became acquainted with Jesus the Son when I was in university. It was at a Bible retreat for college athletes, and someone shared the simple gospel, and I cried for two hours. 

How would you describe Jesus? Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of my faith. He holds everything together for me, and His love is just amazing. 

How has your relationship with Him changed you? Jesus changed everything. He freed me from my fears, made me more generous and persevering and literally just did a 180 on this formerly very self-centred, rebellious lady over here.

What has been the darkest time in your life, and how did you see God in it? When a family member suffered greatly right before my eyes. At the same time, I was jobless and confused about what I would do with my future. I felt alone, unloved and felt abandoned by God. It led me into a time of debauchery and self-sabotage. I am grateful to Jesus for literally plucking me out of my own destruction and restoring me. 

What has helped you grow spiritually in this season? 2020 forced me to read the Bible more. Best habit I’ve ever formed!

Just read/currently reading (and what has it taught you?): Reading How I Built This by Guy Raz. It taught me that many of the things we consider safe are actually dangerous. For instance, we think having one foot in the world and having one foot in the faith is safer because you can have the best of both worlds. But the Bible says that God will ‘spit out’ lukewarm Christians, those who know the truth but continue to follow the ways of the world. That to me is DANGEROUS. You’re either in or you’re out. That isn’t in the book, of course! It was mostly talking about how staying in a thankless job can be more dangerous than stepping out into the world of entrepreneurship.

“It taught me that many of the things we consider safe are actually dangerous.”

Top three essentials: Healthy eating, Bible and prayer time and close friendships. 

How did God speak to you recently? He speaks in the moments of my surrender. The last time He spoke to me was through my son. He was hugging me while I was crying, and he randomly said, “You wrote all these things” and pointed to a notebook. I felt God say that all the things I’ve written, they are significant and that my efforts are seen. 

“I felt God say that all the things I’ve written, they are significant and that my efforts are seen.”

Hobby: Writing and coding (programming). 

Top three practical tips for staying spiritually strong: 1. Read the Bible every day. 2. Surround yourself with other believers. 3. Don’t hold onto things that are holding you back from truly following Jesus.

“Don’t hold onto things that are holding you back from truly following Jesus.”

Favorite person in scripture? Daniel, at the moment. I just love that it says he had an exceptional spirit.  

What do you want people to learn about God when they look at you? How awesome God is and how obeying Him is the greatest route to freedom and joy. 

“Obeying Him is the greatest route to freedom and joy.”

How do you engage with your community? Currently, mostly on Instagram as we have been moving a lot and the lockdowns make it hard to meet people. 

Favorite holiday? We just went to the Algarve in Portugal. It is breathtakingly beautiful. 

A goal you have? I am working towards building a business and a ministry so that I can impact the marketplace as well as build God’s kingdom. 

A special tradition you and your family engage in or keep: We love dancing together after dinner time. I make a beat with my hands and mouth and my husband and kids do hilarious dances. It’s awesome. 

Question you will ask when you get to heaven? I would just be so grateful to be there but also curious to see who else got in. *laughs*

Thing you want to raise awareness about: I would love to help steer women away pluralism and New Age beliefs to a fully surrendered life in Christ. I see the muddled Christianity as become a real fad, and it worries me. However, I don’t have a load of experience with New Age, so there’s a lot God has to teach me, and I need to do a lot more listening. 

What does your morning routine consist of? I am not a morning person but that is usually the time I read my Bible and post on Instagram.

What is on your nightstand? Don’t have one.  

Define Christianity in a sentence: Following Jesus and having Him call you His friend.

For more Bianca, follow:

IG: @grittyfaith 

Until next time, keep witnessing!

XX