Obadiah Bornschlegl was the master of his life. His life revolved around the next high. The highs were parties, girls, and substances. It was fun and he felt strong ... until the next day. The highs disappeared. The quest to feel those highs and to satisfy them would have to start all over. That didn’t bother Obadiah. He was his master. He was in control. That is, until he wasn’t.
“For years, I wanted to please myself and live out my plan,” Obadiah confessed. “I wanted to do what I wanted. I lived out of selfishness, and I treated people badly. I desired worldly pleasures ... The drinking, smoking, and girls. I cared only for that. But I was also empty. I was unfulfilled and lived for the next time. I chased the highs and at the end was left empty. I waited for the next time.”
Obadiah found out there was a cost to being his own master. The price was his identity. He constantly felt lost and uncertain. He couldn’t care about anyone including himself. His sophomore year in college, he heard about another master. This Master didn’t live for Himself. He had a better plan, and He paid for it in its entirety.
“Some friends invited me to Salt (Citylight’s college ministry) and their City Group,” Obadiah confessed. “I said “yes” to them so I could cross it off the list. I knew church was good, but it was an obligation. I grew up in a Christian home. My whole family are Christians. I never accepted Christ. I knew what was right. I would go through the motions and say the right prayers. But God built a conviction in me. That fall, I went to Salt’s retreat. I realized I was living for the world on the weekends. I understand you can’t live for two masters.”
It was at worship where the Holy Spirit gave clarity and an off ramp for Obadiah to take. God offered to take it all from him and give him something glorious in return.
“I was never someone to cry out to God,” Obadiah declared. “But I did that night. The Holy Spirit put a crossroads in me ... choose the world or Christ. I knew I couldn’t do it anymore. I surrendered and cried out “Lord change my life.” I didn’t want these desires. I wanted Jesus to be the King of my life.”
For Obadiah, freedom was immediate. It was as if he were struck by lightning. It was no longer what Obadiah wanted but what Christ wanted. After that weekend, Jesus was his Master.
“Jesus Christ actually died for my sins!” Obadiah exclaimed. “It was all personal and true. I wanted to experience God. I changed how I used my time. I pursued students on campus. I started to lead a City Group, and I realized God’s love for the nations. His kingdom is coming and will come. He saved me and I get to now tell others about it. I signed up for the Taiwan global trip next summer. That trip was my first mission trip. There I understood even more that this is what I am on the Earth to do ... To tell everyone about Him. I did ministry in Taiwan and came back to the U.S., and it was the same. I was a missionary there and now here too. I get to do this here.”
When Obadiah came back last summer from Taiwan, he intentionally made time for people and friends to tell them about Christ. His friends asked him “Who are you?” Obadiah took it as a compliment. He knew it was the power of God. When Salt launched another school year last Fall, he knew he wanted to sign up for another global trip. He found that Taiwan was offered again. He was excited for another opportunity to go back. This time, he asked if he could help lead.
“I wanted to experience it again,” Obadiah said with excitement. “We talked about missions but to go over to another country is different. There is such a need in Taiwan. There are millions of people and only 1% know who Jesus is. I want to be a part of changing that. I want God to use me. I want His kingdom to come to Taiwan. I want the great commission to be fulfilled and people to know Him. I want people to know life doesn’t make sense without Jesus. I have the greatest gift and truth, and I want to give that to them. I am so blessed that I have that salvation. That God opened my eyes to that. I want that for everyone.”
Obadiah is co-leading a team of six. The team will partner with a local church to take the gospel to university students. There are 150,000 students in the city, and only 3% of the population is evangelical Christian (with that number dwindling). They will meet and befriend Taiwan students, invite them to study the Bible, and take language classes. Obadiah and the global team know the global work in Taiwan needs to start here and now. It can’t start when they land there.
“We are preparing right now,” Obadiah shared. “We also know this global trip is not a one-time thing. Being on mission is a lifestyle.”
As Obadiah prepares to end this semester of college well and for two months in Taiwan, he celebrates what God has done and is doing.
“First, I am celebrating God’s faithfulness to me,” Obadiah declared with certainty. “He keeps showing up and providing for me. Financially He has provided. There’ve been times when I am stressed and anxious and the Lord comes and shows a way out. He is so evident in everything I do. In City Group there are a bunch of new freshmen. I never saw God take eight dudes and bring them together so fast. We have a rich community who confess sin together. He uses me as someone to bring that together. I’m honored and it's so cool.”
“Also, I’m getting to know Jesus more. His character. Who He is. There are so many hard things in this world that we must work with. When you have a bigger view of God those things tend to go away. If we understand who God is, we never have to worry. We can praise Him instead. This past year for me is all about seeking Him out.”
Romans 6:23 says “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Before submitting his plan to God, Obadiah was deeply in debt. Obadiah’s plan was to live for himself. He chased what felt good but left him empty the next day. But Jesus paid it all and Obadiah is now free. Obadiah concluded,
“Anything you chase in this life is not worth it. Anything eternal is Jesus Christ. Romans 10:9 says, “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” There is a beautiful life that is offered to you! Grow in your knowledge. Read your Bible. The Word was God and the Word is God. How will you learn more about your Savior if you don’t learn about Him? Read about Him. He is your rock. Your foundation.”
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