Bearing

Because just as important as it is to be equally yoked, it is a good reminder again to be headed in a common direction.

I yield to Your Call, do as You wish.

Push While You Pray

 

Having just finished Sun Stand Still by Steven Furtick, has been an incredible journey for myself. The essence of his book was really to encourage Christians to take hold of God's promises and vision in their life, regardless of where they are or what they have been doing, and dare to believe while acting upon His faithfulness.

And I'll probably want to remember this quote he shared from Jim Cymbala, 

I despaired at the thought that my life might slip by without seeing God show himself mightily on our behalf.

Reaching a point in my life that I probably have to make a "major" decision such as a starting job. Up till now, I always thought I had a grip, or a little understanding, of what it meant by Faith. And this book which I bought from my Down Under trip, surely didn't come at a time of coincidence. I believe God must have allowed this book to minister to me as I ponder some of the most difficult decisions.

Now that it is less than 2 months from me entering a new chapter of my life, I find myself being caught in the middle. On one hand, I really can't wait to enter the next phase yet at the same, I hold onto doubts and questions.

One thing for sure. Sun Stand Still has helped to with a motto.
Seize the Vision. Activate the Faith. Make the Move.

It has also given me a fresh perspective of Hope and Faith. How closely assimilated these two traits are, yet so vastly different in their nature. One can choose to stand firm on HOPE yet another finds himself choosing to move by FAITH. The very fact that characters from the Bible have lived out by that principle is likely a lesson God would want His people to comprehend. To know that beyond the Promise and Progress,  there is a Process which His people undergoes.

As for myself, I do look forward to that Process.
The first job.
The next relationship.
The Calling in Life.

For sure and for real it may be tough, it may require endurance. But I have a Hope. A Hope given by the Most High. A Promise to those who seek after Him with all their hearts, to live out His Purpose, will find themselves living by it.

I may have little to offer, but God is more concerned about how much I am willing to offer out of the little.

Pray. Pray for a participation in His miracles and not just a speculation. Pray for fresh revelations constantly and as with any intimate relationship, in deeper love. Pray for a renewal of mind and strength as I face each new day's challenges. Pray for not just a changed life, but a channel for life-changing as well. Pray not for my desires alone, but through seeking His portion for me that I find my satisfaction.

For the Better

Having been back "home" for just over 24 hours, I've spent this evening back in church after a day of running errands.

So life back to "normal"? I would think so.

But it begets the question, how do I then live differently now on?

Surely one of the highlights on this trip was His providence, His hand upon me. How from 2011 He provided us with early bird price for the Conference; right up to the day before my departure that He provided my finances more than what I needed; till the day I left ESM, He provided Jacqui to send me to the train station because she was going there too!

In the bigger and the little things, I have lived and witnessed how He blessed me. Seriously, I had to rethink God over the last weeks. I think I had barely knew Him though having been in the faith over 7 years now. Plus all the unexpected surprises and encounters over the weeks, I would say God wants me to really know Him for who He is.

Maybe the long trip and its "fragrance" has yet to wear off but I am sure that God is doing something anew. Tonight being in the midst of the leaders and committees again, I just have this unexplainable sense of assurance and peace within.

And if God is for us, who can be against us.


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On an interesting side note, someone remarked that talking to me requires a pail. A pail to draw deep. Hmmm...

Come and Go

Just sent off Yong En for his mission trip.

Come to think of it, I have been to the airport in the last few months more than I have had in the 24 years of my life. Seeing people off, receiving people or even flying off myself.

Coming and going has seem to be such a routine that I have to constantly remind myself that even if someone is leaving for a 3day trip, I should never take for granted that the person is leaving and able to come back safely. Also for myself, to acknowledge God's faithfulness and protection over me when I travel. Because we never know when the matchstick of our lives burns out and we're taken home in the blink of an eye.

It'll be 43 hours to my departure. My longest time away from Singapore, away from home, away from my family as well as my spiritual family. People I've been so used to seeing so often, people I may or may not have taken for granted. I'm still asking God my objective for this trip. I know I've signed up for Hillsong Conference. I know I've committed to stay in Sisterhood for 3 weeks thereafter. But time waits for no one (other than Joshua in the Bible). And I really don't want to miss out what the Lord has prepared for me.

I suppose the most vital thing for me is to constantly remain in the NOW-ness. Be it in the midst of a crowd of worshippers or by myself in the center of God's natural creation, I'll maintain a posture of being in the NOW with Him. I'm still afraid of penning down my expectations because I may blind myself to what He wants to reveal to me. In a way, I'm in a fix!

Nevertheless, I will simply go in faith and be in the NOW! =D

Side note: God has been really gracious to me and faithful in providing. Just when I settled in my mind to live with 500AUD for the time there, how You've provided at least 1000SGD for me. How every debt I have is cleared and every expense along the way has been met by Your grace. O Lord, teach me truly to live with no more or less but be satisfied in You. My heart gives thanks to You for Your Goodness and Kindness.

Thank You Abba.

Early next morning...

Jesus spent a good deal of His time by Himself and seeking the Father.

'Timeout'.

Perhaps this coming 3 weeks 'by myself' is God's timely answer.
So much to hear from Him about, to ask of Him yet only one thing is really needed.

Jesus, be that one thing I need. That will never be replaced.

Going into the unknowns

Apparently all of us ask this question probably once a day, "what's next?"

I suppose I'm not alone in this, to be asking Him what's next regardless of the area of my life.
But 1 thing is for sure, God is unpredictable if we try to out-guess His moves.

Definitely another discovery for me as I journey in my faith.
I pray that I'll remain open to His leading and despite the very desire within me, that I learn to trust and obey. Sometimes it could just be a test of trust (refer to Abraham/Issac) and other times, it could be really His plan, His Will (refer to Sarah/Hagar).

For me is not to formulate some equation or magical solution to find out His plan for me, but simply to live in the present with Him. To be at peace in the knowledge that God loves me enough to know my desires and grant me satisfaction first in Him alone.

Sometimes I think I'll need a whole universe of faith to believe God for some matters I really wanted my way, but I guess Jesus had His reason why He taught us to have a faith as little as a mustard seed to just believe God can move a mountain!

So Lord, I commit into Your loving Hands my future, my plans and my desires.
Thank You and Love You.
Amen.

Unearthing in progress

Perhaps this is really my true calling?

I honestly dare not glance down the path that this decision would take me on...
Full-time into God's work? Yes I know we are called to be full time Christian. 24/7.

But Full-fledged worker of the Lord? I'd confess my faith is probably like the size of a nano-particle.
Dealing with this is hard. I suppose it's me, getting it all wrong and mixed up.

But honestly, I find more enthusiasm and joy in encouraging people in their faith journey; equipping myself to better equip others for the Lord's work; serving in any capacity within the body of Christ and so on. I dare say that the knowledge I have gained from my engineering background have helped me much along the way yet I don't think I can say that I did truly enjoy the work and the process.

Sigh.

Back to the tasks on-hand.

Abba Father, I take joy in serving You. I will choose to go to the ends of the earth to further Your Kingdom over being yoked by the competitive lifestyle here where I was raised. Nonetheless, I want to surrender these concerns, these thoughts to You. Simply Father, You know the plans You have for Your child. Plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give a hope and a future.

I claim it. I love You Lord. Lead me I pray.

Roots of intimacy brings forth fruit of performance in worship