"Here I am" - Finding Favour with God

Genesis 22:1-2
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!".
"Here I am," he replied.
Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."

Isaiah 6:8
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

I've learnt that these 3 words "Here I am" when spoken to God, are really 'dangerous' words to say. They allow for a binding covenant of commitment on our part as we avail ourselves fully to God's purpose, pleasure and programmes.

Early this year there was an opportunity for me to do a 14 day mission trip to Philippines with the graduating batch of Rangers. Unfortunately, it was also one of the worst times of my career as the company had undergone restructuring and people were leaving in droves resulting in my work portfolio expanding exponentially.

But, this was a mission trip which I knew I had to do, simply because it I envisioned a promise of how God would awesomely use the giftings and talents of each of those graduating Rangers. I'm never a sucker for hardships and the dirt, dust and grime of underdeveloped countries simply irks me to the bone. But beyond all these physical discomforts, it was simply too compelling to ignore that powerful vision of a generation which would go to Cebu to bless.

It didn't help that immediately after this mission trip, I had already committed, some 6 months ago, to attend a wedding in Japan and would result in me disappearing from work for some 3 1/2 weeks. What didn't help was the fact that I only had leave for 2 1/2 weeks and would require additional days of no-pay leave in order to do Cebu & Japan.

Even before I got my leave approved, I booked my return flight to Cebu and Japan, simply because the promotional fares was of a limited time period. To illustrate the crux I was in, I realised that there was only 1 last promotional seat for me to leave for Japan and if I didn't book it, I would be faced with a situation of dates clashing with the already paid mission trip and then having to also pay an exorbitant price to fly to Japan to attend the wedding.

The cherry on top of this overly dramatic situation was when my only colleague tendered her resignation, even before I could submit my leave form. This meant I was the only person left in office to deal with 5 people's work and the work pressure then was sheer madness. This clearly meant I couldn't be away for Mission and Japan and the entire Mission Trip would be doomed because you simply couldn't expect parents of the five 19 year olds permitting their children to go to Philippines without any adult supervision.

In the midst of all this melodrama, I stuck with my decision and told my boss that I would be taking leave & no-pay for that period, failing which I would have to tender my resignation because everything had been planned out and there was no turning back. It may sound high handed to issue out an "approve my leave or I quit" statement, but I assure you that it was also one of the most difficult decision which I struggled with. Having worked for a good 5 +years, I was due for my managerial promotion, without which, I would not be able to proceed on career-wise and quitting would simply result in an extreme loss-loss situation of no job, no money, no future. (never mind that my God fearing parents would simply freak out if I tell them the reason why I needed to quit and would never buy the fact that I was just following God's prompting to go Missions.) It reached a really despondent state where all I could do was to stare at a loser future brimming with unfairness because I was going against human logic just to bring 5 teens out for a mission trip.

The very day which I sent out my email informing of my intentions to submit a 3 1/2 week leave and no-pay leave, I recall sighing in loss and adopting a come-what-may attitude of resignation . Whatever the tsunamis of life brings: be it the poverty of being unemployed or having to apply for a lowly ranked job with a pay cut, I just knew there was nothing else I could have done differently. I awaited for a reply, but nothing came. The very next day, as I submitted the leave form, I awaited the bad news of rejection but it never came. Instead what I received was a gentle answer of approval by signature. The rest is history. (I went for an awesome trip to Cebu and even more incredible time in Mindanao, I returned and left the next day for Japan, witnessed Sakura's flowering in Tokyo and snow falling in Hokkaido. When I returned to work, I received my promotion. ((Note: When I returned to work, it was also the worst and most stressful and frustrating time of my life coupled with a nightmarish hair-loss condition)) )

Just when I thought life's melodrama was limited to myself, lo and behold, history would repeat itself because for the December's batch of Rangers who are leaving for their pioneering mission trip to Philippines, we also encountered a similiar crisis. Having booked the promotional fares, my fellow Rangers commander also required to take a combination of leave and no-pay leave, but because there was a major project submission dateline, and his fellow pregnant colleague was also due for her maternity leave, there was simply no way for his boss to approve his leave without having a dramatic situation of project submission - without anyone doing the job!

After talking with his boss, he realised that there was no way for his leave to be approved and his boss clearly told thim that the only available step was to resign in order to proceed with the mission trip. I was extremely concerned because the issue of the loss-loss situation of no job, no money, no future and his non-beliver's parents' going totally ballistic. With non-beliver parents, this sacrifice was even going to be more painful for him than it was for me.

The day he submitted his resignation, his boss surprised him by rejecting his letter and approving the absence from work, in spite of what the boss had stated earlier. I strongly believe that when the December batch of Rangers missionaries leaves for Philippines, it'll be an awesome trip for him and the rest, simply because of the obedience and willingness shown to make any sacrifice to see the tasks of God come to fruition.

When I reflect at the two verses above, I see that before the Almighty God, Abraham and Isaiah made a tough life-changing decision to avail themselves to the bidding and instructions of God. Abraham left everything in faith to enter a land he had not seen, and was now called to sacrifice his only son - Isaac. Likewise Isaiah who availed himself to be used as God's vocal piece. All his life, Isaiah lived dedicated to prophesy, plea and instruct the people of God that they may have hope in the Lord.

Neither of these bible characters had an easy life. After they confessed "Here I am", their willingness and obedience were taken to task. All that they encountered were not easy pickings, but here I realise that they willingly sacrifice without looking back because time and again, the grace of God always prevailed in their lives. When all else failed, God's favour flowed effortlessly and abundently.

I don't profess to be like either of these great men of the bible, nor would I really want to be in their position, but in all that I've encountered and witnessed this year, I learnt that when we avail ourselves to God to fulfil his bidding, we open ourselves to be thrown into God's creation hands and life just goes turbulent. It's not just a simple, cheap talk of "Here I am, use me".

It is a tough thing to undergo breaking and humility as we open ourselves to be at God's mercy. However, the moment we profess "Here I am" and God accepts our availing offering, inspite of whatever 'turmoil', 'suffering' and 'pain' that comes at you subsequently, the Favour of God is always found ever more richely and abundently in our lives. I can profess with my testimony that in 2006, I've never received more favour in the eyes of man and from God. All these came upon my life the moment I laid everything aside to heed His instructions and yield my plans to serve His.

I pray that the testimony of my heart speaks to you today because I sense a need for you to understand that the plans of God are perfect and for you, and not to harm you. May you elect to submit like Abraham & Isaiah as you too acknowledge before the Almighty, "Here I am, Lord" and I pray that you too may see how the favour of God would then enter your life, even as He moulds, uses and ordains the steps that you are to take.

blessings,
M.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

How much does your soul cost ???

Matthew 16:26
For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

I know I've written about this verse before, but I'm truely intrigued by the statement of "what will a man give in exchange for his soul?". Afterall being very Singaporean, we are always haggling and bargaining for good deals. For a dirt cheat price of $25 a night, I've willingly sacrifice lavish pampering of a $60 a night 4-star hotel for a run down 2-star hotel in bangkok having convinced myself that the poorly maintained facilities are forgivable for a transient 2 night stay.

One day we will all pass away, albeit prematurely or as per our predestined time, and then we would have to stand to face God. Jesus shares in Matthew 25:31-46 to warn us of that surety of this judgement. The ungodly will be sent into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

This black and white fact of heaven or hell after death has always been avoided by atheist because it invokes the controversial issue of judgement after life. It's an extremely scary fact to many because at that point, we have to account for our salvation or lack of it.

Like our exams or job inteviews, when our life is over and we stand before God it's a black and white issue of Yes or No. There's no turning back to make amendments. "Yes", you are a child of God, you are safe and would proceed to the eternal joy of God's presence in heaven. No, you are not a child of God, you would proceed to eternal suffering in fiery hell.

If you do get a "NO" at such a time and the judgement of suffering in hell for eternity is proclaimed over you, what would you give in exchange for your soul then? For all that you ever possessed, sadly, the bible says there's nothing which you can use to exchange for a pardon for your soul's judgement.

A wise saying states "Highsight is always perfect vision". We all have something in our past which we wished we could go back in time to amend it for the better. When I look back at the results of my major exams, if I could turn back time to change my past in order to achieve stellar results, I would have willingly given up the fun and pleasures which I enjoyed and dedicated myself to overly conscientious studying. Sadly, we all know that what's past is past and it is impossible to ever go back to redo life's wrongs.

In life, we often count the costs for everything that we do. More so as we miserly count the costs over matters of God or of spiritual concerns. How much does this church camp costs, do I have enough time to study/work/chill-out if I attend church/cell/prayer metting, what would this mission trip cost me....etc. Basically, all the questions seem to linger over the issue of how convenient and pain-free is it to do God related stuff. We often sabotage our eternal future through deliberate attempts to delay and deny the things which we should and could have done for God.

Tragically, it seems that in the pursuit of our better life, we don't seem to count the costs for what will take place for eternity. We plan for our future careers, family building, health insurances but because death is so far away for many of us, we often forget that at the end of our lives, we will have to account to God for our soul and what we did in our lifespan. Someday, we'll have to account for the number of people we were a true friend to, not how many friends we had. Did we in our pursuit of life compromise the things of God for transient pleasures? Did we achieve a life for God according to the number of talents which we were given?

When Moses spoke to the people of God in Deuteronomy 30:19, he made it obvious to them that their choices would affect their destinies "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live". Let no man who reads this sentence ever say this only applies to the Israelites of the old testiment, but I pray that you'll be convicted by the serious implication of being responsible for the choices you make in life.

At the end of you life, be it in the near future of 1-10 years or far distant time of 10 years and beyond, how would you account for your life when you meet God your maker face-to-face? How much do you value your soul's eternal destiny? I pray earnestly that you will value the days of your life because when it transpires, no amount of tears, money, achievement, accolades, deeds or goodwill will be accepted in redemption for your soul.

Blessings,
M.

"For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess" Deuteronomy 30:16

As You Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labour

Psalm 71:18
And even when I am old and gray, O God, do not forsake me,
Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to all who are to come.

This is my favourite verse of the bible.

Some many years ago as I was in the early years of being a rangers commander, I chanced upon this verse and it spoke volumes to me. Just like the immortal speeches of artistes like shakespeare, the heart felt nobility of this statement made by David awakened my spirit man some many years ago and has since challenged me to constantly press on in my ministry's calling.

Everytime I look at this verse, it challenges me to live a life of faithfulness until the day I finish the call of God upon my life. Its a tall order that inspires me to want to possess the same spirit which David had. To want to declare the things of God to the next generation and press on inspite of painful physical infirmities in my older age.

Daniel 4: 29 onwards records King Nebuchadnezzar as he was walking on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon. As he viewed the city from his position, he marvelled to himself "Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?"

Immediately, the judgement of God struck him and he was made insane. From the all powerful king of the Babylonian empire, he was driven away from people and started living with the wild animals; eating grass like cattle. The bible records that for 7 years, King Nebuchadnezzar lived like a wild monster - with his body drenched with the dew of heaven until his hair grew like the feathers of an eagle and his nails like the claws of a bird.

As noble and grand are my aspirations to live out a life accordingly to Psalm 71:18, as I was writing, the story of King Nebuchadnezzar stood out and spoke to me as a warning.

There are days where I do look back at the past 12 years of serving in the rangers ministry, the hardships of the early pioneering days encountered and then revel in the present day's achievements. It's been really fulfilling to see little naughty boys grow up to become who they are today. Especially when I perceive that their present lives are but a small tip of the iceberg of what they can and will achieved for God in the coming years. It's always such a nice thing to regale in the past memories of camps, sacrifices and blessing to give myself a pat on the back and tell myself I'm truely pressing onto achieve my desire and eventually be able to say the same thing as David did.

But yet, I personally think it's always better to struggle on in life doing a flagging ministry work for God than to experience the blessings and fruition of a successful ministry. As silly as that earlier sentence sounds, I look at such times of experiencing rich blessings to be times where it's so easy to fall into the trap of pride as King Nebuchadnezzar did.

When I evaluate my life and ministry for the past years, I see lots of good achievements. That is seen through positive statistics, successful programmes and lives touched, personal skills and experience, positive accolades and respect from others and a list of modest acknowledgements that could go on and on to make my head swell enormously. When I start listing down all the works of mine, it results in my achievements and what I've laboured and done and suddenly, God seems to have disappeared from the equation, when He was the key to begin with.

In all our quest to serve God, or live through life studying/working, who wouldn't want to see all the hard effort which we have done come to fruition? We want to have successful ministries, excellent school grades and work performance ratings, live successful abundent lives. But could attaining any/all of this diminish the essential presence of God in our life's achievement, and ultimately result in pride entering?

At the end of 7 years, King Nebuchadnezzar raised his eyes toward heaven, and his sanity was restored. The bible records that he then praised the Most High; honored and glorified him who lives forever. King Nebuchadnezzar states "My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble."

All that we do in God is never in vain. But all that we do should also not be for vanity. Today, I wish to remind myself that, as I serve God and experience the different seasons of ploughing, sowing, weeding, tending, fertilising, harvesting, feasting and fallowing, my calling is to build into the lives of people, until my generation and the generation to come has seen the blessing of God.

I'm not sure what you are tasked to labour for God or how you are told to live on for God, but may you guard you heart against pride and your eyes be heaven bound at all times, especially in the season where God grants us the pleasure of enjoying the fruits of our labour.

Blessings,
M.

"I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil-this is the gift of God." Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

Days of Your Youth

Ecclesiastes 12:1 & 6-7
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"...... Remember him before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."

Time surely flies. November will arrive in 1 weeks time and soon it will be time for Christmas and before you know it, poof!, 2006 would have come to an end and 2007 would have begun. I recall the watchnight service of 2005 where someone shared that 2006 would be a great year, and my spirit acknowledged - "Yes! 2006 will be a great year". Thus, our Expedition Rangers theme for 2006 became "A Great Year".

At times like these when we look at the remainder of time left and take stock that some will quickly scramble to make the very best of it. Thanks be to God that I don't have to salvage the rest of the year to make 2006 a Great Year. After September, I would have willingly closed the books of my life and rested on the fact that 2006 had been a great year for me. Not that it was a year of tremendous highs, 2006 has also been a year of aweful valley-like lows.

The Mission trip to Mindanao with Del Paso was wonderful, the awesome holiday to see Sakura's and experience snowfall in Japan, the food of Japan.... and the cool weather of Cameron Highlands. Then, there was the unforgettable moment of experiencing extreme work stress and having clumps of hair fall out, having to undergo excruciating injections on the scalp. Going for endless numbers of interviews to experience rejection at every stop.

As one ages, ever year seems to pass by faster and experiences seem to be hightened in greater dramatic fashion. As I look back at the years that have flown by and attempt to relive through my life's encounters, some are slowly becoming faded memories. Rather, the years of adult- hood and life ahead seems to frought with life's grim uncertainties.

That's why Solomon wisely points out in his old age "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them". The older we get, the more embroiled we are in life's struggles and our vision of life becomes more jaded.

I'm sure it's not me alone who acknowledges, the age of 15-17 (plus minus a couple of years) was the most carefree, exciting time of life. I may be financially more sound now, with experience behind me, some years of wisdom but somehow...what's missing in my life is the zeal and passion of youth. The reckless attitude to do anything then and the boundless energies to do anything under the sun. The relentless pursuit for God. Now, even before I become a senior citizen, it seems that everything already gone awry.

For any youths reading this, and feeling overwhelmed by exams, parents and the need to excel in life, I reiterate Solomon's wisdom to you. I envy your youthfulness and unlimited vigour for life. Even though I don't envy the limited maturity, horrid exams and stubborn idiocy at times, it's really an astounding phase in time where you get to experience the world as your oyster and God as the Almighty Creator God.

If I could relive my youth days, I would do much more for God - come to services, prayer meetings, interceed in pre-service prayers, serve in any capacity provided, attended all the camps / conferences and compelled myself to go out for as many Missions as possible (worked part-time to finance it all!). Small molehills (large mountains then) such as exams and activities with friends wouldn't keep me away from experiencing all of God because in hindsight they were all but a road bump in life's journey.

For the rest of us 'oldies', we're just not youths, but neither are we incapicated aged folks. It was hilarious when we positioned ourselves in Jeremy's wedding and righteously declared that we were neither youths nor grown adults (which was the category of those married with kids in tow). Regardless of how we categorise ourselves as young adults or un-old adults, the wisdom preached by Solomon applies. "Remember the Creator God before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken".

What's all this silver cord, golden bowl, pitcher and water wheel meant to illustrate? I interprete this to be various phases of life that we would have to go through.
i. Silver cord is when we are still tied to our parents (aka they give us allowances)
ii. Golden Bowl is when we become financially stable and affluent (aka with a credit card and money to enjoy frills such as holidays)
iii. Pitcher is when we start becoming responsible for others and working to share blessings into other's lives (aka when we become leaders or parents)
iv. Water wheel is when we work industriously to maintain our life and is an essential part of life's processes (aka when we are middle aged in our 40s-50s or as we become senior citizens with leisure time to help others)

The year is coming to an end. I know that all I experienced has already demonstrated that 2006 is a great year, but in my heart I claim in faith that I've yet to experience the full greatness of the year and that God has more instore to end it off in greater greatness.

What about you? It's never too late to salvage and scramble to end this year on a great note. (It's definately better than not doing anything and leaving life at status quo!). I pray that you'll be provoked into action by the wise sayings of Solomon and live out your lives zealously doing things for God as required in the days of your youth.

Blessings,
M.

"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." Proverbs 3:1-2

Never Hunger, Never Thirst

John 6:35
Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."

Jesus says this profound words to the Jews after he fed the 5000 and it resulted in the Jews grumbling unhappily as they viewed him as the son of Joseph and the physical impossibilities of "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?".

Taken literally by the people, they struggled to understand why Jesus was talking about something so cannibalistic and extremist - "Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me."

Its not an easy concept to understand - the idea of "eat" the flesh and "drink" the blood of Christ. Especially as we take it at literal means, its such a scandalised doctrine. Just like the disciples, when I first chanced upon this chapter in John, I found it to be hard teaching.

Yet in the midst of this hard to imagine/swallow idea of 'cannibalism', I realised that that's what Christ was trying to state. To follow Him requires us to make a strong conscious effort to partake in something which the world considers controversial.

When Jesus spoke of one needing to "eat" and "drink" of Christ, He was clearly stating that He was not after a shallow, mumbo jumbo disciple by name. Talk is cheap, to walk the talk requires conviction and action of surety.

Eating & drinking food and water are everyday affairs that we partake for sustaining our bodies- leading to good health. Eating and drinking of Christ is also a everyday affair to describe how we are to dwell in Christ and Him in us - leading to eternal life. More than physical sustenence, Christ also promises to fuel our life with LIFE.

The greek word for LIFE here is Zao (Zavw) and as a verb, it is translated as "active, blessed, endless in the kingdom of God". So Christ was promising that we who willingly commit ourselves as His disciples would benefit from an active, blessed life, endless in the kingdom of God.

What Jesus offers is an attractive proposition of never needing to feel the hunger pangs of the soul's need for endless successes in life, and the parched thirst of the spirit when we wane in stress and afflict ourselves for failing to meet up to life's measures. Especially relevant to us who are so low in the world's hierarchy that all we do is look up at the successful rats of the rat race and we become so consumed with getting better grades, being able to go to a more prestigeous school/company , having more money, more physical securities such as good careers, homes, titles, cars, and lifestyles to enjoy. The reality of what Christ promises as you partake of Him and walk according to His expectations is this - Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.

This is why in His encounter with the Samaritan woman, Jesus stuns her with the similiar attractive promise of never thirsting again. "whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. John 4:14". Having gone from man to man to satisfy her sexual, emotional, physical and social needs, she still found an empty void in her life that could not be satisfied. Thus, immediately she responds in eagerness "give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw".

I know its hard to ignore the compelling reasons to succeed in life and everything we are doing now. I'm not encouraging you to drop everything and become a reclusive monk/nun, but to constantly look to Him like Peter did "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life."

Blessings,
M.

"The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." John 6:63

I am Creation

Psalm 139:14 (NASB)
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.

In the last four weeks, I've been faithfully dragging myself to retake my St John's first aid course. Tedious 6 nights of lessons which I had undergone through some 4 years ago, but I was simply too lazy to renew it when it was about to expire. Thus, I paid the price of forking out an additional $30 more, and had to suffer through the entire course again, as opposed to just a shorter refresher course.

Every lesson was a skin crawling experience as the lecturer teaches on the common injuries and how people often die. It doesn't help when he retells passionate true life stories and incidents of deaths, fatal injuries and really nasty situations. What was absolutely horrific was when we had a 45 mins graphic lesson on the various injuries that were captured in photography. Slides after slides of amputated limbs held together by a small thread of muscle, contorted broken bodies, eye pieced with foreign objects.....it was a totally gruesome 45 minutes of my life which I hope to never encounter again, nor hope to treat using my first aid skills.

At every graphic lesson of potential injuries and how to treat them, and me sitting curled in meekness, it dawned upon me that absolutely anything can pierce this tender skin protecting me and wound me in pain. I crossed the road every night of my lesson, walking carefully and overly cautiously, looking out for anything that could fall, trip or afflict my fragile body.

However, amidst all the gory lessons and stories, I learnt many interesting facts like this: Did you know that all the combined blood vessels in our human body when combined together would be able to circle the earth's equator twice? It was a truely astounding trivial that I tried to imagine how many million blood capillaries, veins and arteries we had in our human bodies and how by joining them all together, it would form a length twice the distance of the equator!

With various mind boggling pieces of trivial and the gruesome stories of human fatalities, it struck me how fragile and yet intricately we are made. Without the air that we breathe, the brain slowly dies and suffers from brain damage with every passing minute, eventually dying in 4 minutes. When a friend of mine was pregnant, her husband marvelled and expressed to me the awesomeness of how the entire intricate process of his son's life over the 40 weeks of conceptualisation to birth.

The Psalmist David expresses clearly a praise in due of our creation. As we stop our busy, competitive days and constant complains of why the world is not revolving around us, and choose instead to slowly take in every aspect of our being, we'll see that we are truely wonderfully and fearfully made. Even with our pimples, scars, scabs and whatever physical deformaties which we are never pleased with. The very fact that we breathe, think and move speaks of a complexity mankind's smartest has not been able to imitate through artificial intelligence.

We are truely more than we imagine. How often is it that we choose to live selfish lives and have moments of doom and gloom. On a day like this as I inspect the dexterity of my typing fingers and seemless thinking-typing capabilities, my soul knows it well that I am truely made by a creator God and I give thanks to him for I am wonderfully made.

May this verse reverberate in your spirit and remind you that God made you the way you are, and you are complete in Him. Today may you choose to bless Him out-loud "wonderful are Your works and my soul knows it well."

Blessings,
M.

Leaving it all behind ...in Faith

Genesis 12:1-5
The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you........So Abram left, as the LORD had told him.......He took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, all the possessions they had accumulated and the people they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan, and they arrived there.

In an earlier chapter of Genesis 11:31, we understand that Abram's father Terah was originally meant to bring his entire family to Canaan from Ur. However, when they came to Haran, they settled there and Abram never made it to Canaan until God spoke to Abram to leave.

After 75 years of settling comfortably in Haran, it was time for Abram to pack up all his possessions and move on. I can imagine how much logistics and discomfort it is to pack up ones belongings and life. Already as I attempt to clean up my room to make it a comfortable place to accomodate my future massage chair, I baulk at the potential uncertainties of where I'll be doing with my accumulated stuff. What more in Abram's case where he is to not only pack up but relocate somewhere in faith.

In Hebrews 11:8-10, the amplified bibles provides us with a clearer picture of Abram's emotions and what he was going through
[Urged on] by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed and went forth to a place which he was destined to receive as an inheritance; and he went, although he did not know or trouble his mind about where he was to go.
[Prompted] by faith he dwelt as a temporary resident in the land which was designated in the promise [of God, though he was like a stranger] in a strange country, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs with him of the same promise.
For he was [waiting expectantly and confidently] looking forward to the city which has fixed and firm foundations, whose Architect and Builder is God.

As I compare and try to comprehend the Faith which moved Abram to leave his entire life behind, I realise its all about his focused vision on the Creator God and how he expectantly and confidently saw the kingdom that God would build. Somehow he understood the simplicity of all that he was to do was to obey and move on as he was told. It really wasn't about seeing how through his move, the promises of God would be fulfilled. Neither was he acting because the Creator God had promised to make his name great and bless him (see Genesis 12:2-3).

Faith is explained as Abram's action: he went out, not knowing where he was going. It's a really scary and somewhat illogical concept especially when we attempt to live out our life's future plans in faith. But living out in faith would result in us going where we don't know but only God does, experiencing something which God wants even though we can't imagine now, and encountering something we don't know if we are ready, but trusting God knows we are.

I believe Abram recognised that the blessing and protection which was promised are always given when anyone obeys and follows God. But humanly, we all know that it would not suffice nor overcome the uncertainty and fear that grips our heart as we fanthom about the unknown. That's where Faith plays its role and goes beyond a feeling and logical rationalisation. Despite all the uncertainties and worries that we have, the bible assures us that true, but simple, Faith will assure us with a heartfelt conviction.

I grew up with an annointed bunch of peers, whom I tried to play catch-up to them as I often marvelled their awesome talents and Godly given giftings at work. Throughout my teenage years and the "oh-so" passionate encounters with God, I often witnessed many of them responding to God's calling on their lives. As the years went by, and we reached adulthood and served life's responsibilities, I see few of them electing to pursue the vision that they once were given.

As explained in the parable of the sower, as we grow up, the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth / money / practical supplication choke us like the weeds of the parable and make us unfruitful.

I cannot confess that I can leave my comfort zone and all behind like Abram and move on to the unknown in bold faith because I expectantly and confidently can see the kingdom that God would build someday. What I do know is that, if that is expected of me in my life someday, a God given faith will be planted in my heart and my decision will be made with an arising of Godly conviction of things -inspite of the fact that I may not being able to see it with my logical perspective.

Blessings,
M.

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field." (Matthew 13:44)