What should you call yourself?

A church refers to a group of people of believe in Jesus Christ coming together to listen to God's word.

It is important to hear about Jesus being preached every Saturday or Sunday during the church service, because the church is ultimately about Jesus. You do not hear about Jesus only on Good Friday and Christmas (some churches do not even mention Jesus on these 'special' occasions–as they would call it). Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, focus on the Word of God, keep your mind on Jesus Christ. Let your ears not hear sermons in churches that are not about Christ, or indulge in rituals that draw you away from him who rescued you. It is never by our own strength that we are redeemed, we are called Christians because of Jesus Christ, who through his death saved us from death.

Flee from false teaching, run to biblical truth.

When the going gets tough

Everybody's scurrying around, looking flustered as they pull their hair to think of ideas, rushing through the paces of life to get things done. What a sight to behold at the end of the semester.

I'm in pretty much the same situation as everyone else. I have been finding it hard to rest like I did last semester. I know that I have to rest, but can I afford to? Papers to submit, responses to share, things to keep in check. It is easy to lose sight of God and the cross during such busy times. It becomes ever so convenient to sideline Jesus.

Good Friday–some say that it is more than just a holiday. But we do not need a special day to remind ourselves what Christ has done. It should always be fresh in our mind the scene of our Saviour on the cross. He did not die for us so that we may sideline him. Christ should rule in our hearts, but I know that it is hard to submit. It is my plea to God that I can be a humble servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As a student, working adult, stay-home mum, retiree, whatever your status, it is ever so important to put Christ first in our lives. One Lord, one Saviour, one resurrection. Only Jesus, nothing more, or less.

Executive Committee, Executive Board, or Both?

It's hard to make decisions when the choice isn't clear. Or in my case, when there's a "Both" option.

When I was rejected by my CCA for the Executive Board position, I was in some ways, glad. But having met the incoming president a couple of days back to explain to me why I wasn't selected, it was not because of my capabilities that I was rejected. He wanted me on the team, but was unsure if I could commit. After clarifying his doubts, which were largely true, he wanted me to reapply in the second round. My options are open again. And I have 6 more hours to make up my mind.

Yesterday, I was told and asked to be part of the Executive Committee for Regenerate, to plan for and oversee evangelistic events. It's something I'm more familiar with, and I know the people I'm going to work with much better. I am clear of the goals of Regen, and I am sure of their biblical doctrine. I will be serving fellow Christians.

It seems like the workload for both are about the same, with regen being slightly lighter–given that the events run once a month. "Both" seems like a viable option.

But, back to the heart. My heart. What is my motivation? What do I really want? Will it be godly if I promise that I can, when in fact I'm not sure? Would it be better to be sure and know what is godly and do it?

It can be hard to choose at times. I have to know where my heart lies, and do accordingly. I won't be right with God even if I am a leader in 2 student groups, but only through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I've made up my mind.

being truthful

Not too long ago, in fact just last week, I rushed through my application to be in the Executive Board in my CCA, to be the vice-president and head a team. I worked through the lengthy essays to answer some questions, a half-day assessment centre and an hour of interview. I received a call today to inform me that I wasn't selected. What a relief.

I signed up to be in the EB without knowing whether I could commit, and actually it was only yesterday that I realise I would not be able to. I do not want to be pushed to extreme of what I can handle and end up not having any space to breathe. There's so much that I want to do, and I have to know what is prudent.

I also started to think about why I did not get selected. Was it because of something I did during the assessment centre, or something I said during the interview? Not that I could think of any. What I am sure, and I'm very certain about this, is that I was just being myself during the 2 rounds of selection process. I did not hide the real me and put on a facade, or say things out of convenience just because it would be the easier way out. I know that I made the choice to remain truthful about everything, and whatever the outcome, it does not matter.

At least now I know that I'm not who they are looking for to fill the position, and I remained faithful to what I believe in.

making decisions like a godly student

The typical local (Singapore) university offers its students an array of activities, from musical groups to sports groups to clusters of students being intellectually challenged every other moment while on campus. There are opportunities to lead a team, start a project, come up with new initiatives. Even as a Christian on campus, one will definitely get exposed and be encouraged to be involved with one, or more, campus Christian ministries. The list goes on and on and on. The activities are definitely attractive, because each of those posters pasted around uni are targeted at a specific group of students with a particular interest in the related field, and the appeal is real, so is the distraction.  

One can't possibly join all activities that appeal to his palate. In this half of the semester alone, if without restrictions of time, I would have been involved in more than ten co-curricular activities, or more commonly known as CCA. I have to be thankful that there's a definite limiting factor that's holding me back from wanting to push myself over the threshold of stress and work-life management. Learning to plan my time around God has definitely been helpful in sorting out what I have to be responsible for and which activities I should be choosing in such a way that I won't displace God from his rightful place. The danger still remains when we think that we can rely on our own strength and think that we can do more all the time. 

I met with some helpful speed bump recently. A good wake up call as some may call it. Missing an important test a week back gave me a stern reminder that I'm starting to mess things up, and it's screaming at me to get back on track. My bible readings have gone off track, I couldn't focus on my work and I'm getting very involved in my CCA. As a student, I should be performing my roles and responsibilities. They include attending lectures, going for the assessments, integrity and honesty, doing my tutorials, etc. The motivation, however, is likely to be different for a Christian who is a student too. Mine is so that I could honor God, by fulfilling my responsibilities in the role that he has given me. 

Sometimes, it is helpful to have a structure to life. Structures can help us focus better at times. Of course, the focus and motivation of having such structures should be set right in the first place. I have recently began to think of how I can plan my time such that I can spend more time reading the bible and meeting people, while at the same time meeting the deadlines and contributing to team projects. 

I did not plan much for this semester and was carried away by too many distractions. In more than one way I am thankful for the recess week. I have time to re-focus myself on God's word, and be ready for the fight ahead. 

Strive on in God's strength as His prayer warrior. 

the desire to serve

We have 24 hours each day. Conventionally, a third of a day's time would be spent on the bed, getting sufficient rest that we need, as determined by sleep scientists as the optimal amount of rest per day. We spend some more time waiting dragging ourselves out of bed, getting from place to place, going about our daily routines. How much time is left to serve?

The issue here is not so much of how much time we have, because that is something that we cannot change. I am not saying that we should deprive ourselves of sleep by going to bed late at night and wake up in the wee hours of the morning to read the bible and to pray for other people, or even to think about them. Planning the precious 16 odd hours well is important. 

I am not going to give advice on how much time exactly you should be spending to read the bible, or the amount of time to be allocated to talking to people each week. I have no means to control that, I am not God. The motivation should not be that of feeling better because I have spent more time talking to someone about Jesus this week. The focus should be on Jesus Christ. He gave us life. His death defeated sin for good, and those who are in Him will overcome sin too. It is from the recognition of Christ that stirs up a desire for us to serve Him wholeheartedly. No one can force you. Service would be meaningless if there's no commitment, or conviction. 

As a Christian, I am still learning the meaning of true service. I do not think that I will be able to reach this point that I could say that I understand fully the meaning of service. But it's the burning passion to serve that drives me forward to serve even more, in the glory of Jesus Christ, the Lord over my life. I know how much his love means to me, I am humbled by the grace that I have been shown. It is by his grace that I am who I am today. Even if I am going to be in rags, without a qualification, have nothing to my name, I know that I have Christ. It hasn't been the easiest of uni life the past few weeks, but it is nothing compared to the pain that Christ has gone through for my sake. 

In Christ I am found.  

overworked

My body feels tired, my mind feels tired, and I severely lack quality sleep and rest. After 10 days of non-stop work, thinking, brainstorming, travelling out of residence for events, meeting people, attending conferences, preparing for talks, and meeting more people for projects, I have to say that I'm tired and I need some rest.

I finally managed to find some time to catch a breather today, just to keep things in check and refocus myself. I am constantly reminded of Paul's message to the Colossians. The immensity and greatness of God never bores me. It tells me how small I am, and that I should be thankful for the gospel. Yet, a lot of times, I feel like a part-time Christian. The truth, however, is that there's no such thing. It's binary. Yes, or no, not both.

Taking my mind off work to read the bible has helped me to find rest and comfort. My focus is on Christ. I have put off the old, and already put on the new, and I shall live in a manner that is Christ-like to reflect that. Results, resumes, exposures, and 'good team dynamics' can only bring me that far in life. Jesus brings life.

'Focus on Christ, focus on Him alone.'

twenty-two

I turn 22 today. I'm now a year older.

In the past year, God has been incredibly gracious to me, as He has always been. As one grows older, more is expected of him or her, in terms of maturity in thinking and in actions. Each year, I aim to become more mature spiritually, increase in my knowledge of God and the bible, and to apply what I've learnt in appropriate ways. I have grown, but there's no way to measure by how much I have. It's a continuous process of learning and maturing, there is no end to it, maybe in the day of the new creation. I have fallen short in more ways that I thought I would. I have sinned again and again despite knowing the consequences. I am thankful. God has given forgiveness to us freely through Jesus Christ, despite our sinfulness. I do not deserve it at all. Such a great gift, such a wonderful piece of good news to tell the whole world about.

I have one birthday wish, on top of my desire to know Jesus better, which is for the people who know me to know Jesus as well. So, do you know Jesus?