Today is Sunday, 30th Dec., the last Sunday of the year. I decided to attend the early service in church so I can say my little good-byes to my nephews who were here from PJ for a short holiday. I was spending time with them with great fun. My older nephew and I were playing water bombs and competing to wet each other in the wading pool of the local hotel. The next day we went to the beach. We rode on a horse and he was attracting much attention with his loud antics, much to my embarrassment actually. My younger nephew took his first step on the beach. As a typical city boy, he was afraid of it! But after seeing his brother having so much fun building “sand pyramids” he slowly stepped on to the beach and got acquainted with the sand. In fact, he began to enjoy the sand so much at the last minute, moments before it was time to leave! Praise the Lord for time spent with families, especially at year ends. It truly brings a sweet close to an ending year with fresh hopes to usher in a new year.
I wish this can be true for everyone everywhere in the world. I was shocked to hear of the assassination of Benazir Buttho. Regardless of what the media may paint her to be, both in the positive or negative light, she was truly a figure that deserves the respect of everyone. I see her as a true symbol of breakthrough for the Muslim community. In fact, I identify with her struggle. It’s never easy to exercise your gift effectively amidst a male-dominated society. I truly respect her courage and charisma in fighting for democracy and strived to bring political stability to her beloved land. She may not share my faith & belief system, but she became a symbol of gender equality and ability when she assumed her premiership however short they may be. Like most people the whole world over, I grief at the lost of this precious life.
I was disappointed when the worship service this morning chose to end the year with a joyful note as if disregarding what is happening outside its walls.
What a year 2007 had been! War & political instability was and is happening around the world. Besides the current
Personally, it also described my journey through 2007 – bitter sweet. Sometimes, I wish God only calls me to serve faithfully in a small, closely-knitted congregation. But I know that’s not what He has for me. I’m called to serve the universal church and that put me in a position to deal with pastors and Christian leaders throughout the nation and sometimes even beyond. Many times I grieve at the thought of how some Christian leaders sold themselves for worldly acclaim. Chasing after position, titles, “power,” recognition, some even dwell in pride and intellectualism, disregarding Biblical mandate and commands…I didn’t know why the Lord chose to reveal this to me, but as I pray over it, He impressed upon me that the Lord wants me to stand in the gap. Though the situation sometimes pushed me to the edge of giving up in ministry, I know the Lord did not reveal that to me just so that I can pack my bags and leave. Instead, He chose to reveal that to me because He knew I will do something about it. However little my contribution may be to make a difference, I will be faithful to my calling. Who knows, out of this little obedience the Lord may cause a huge thing to come out of it. After all, revivals all over the world always began with one or two faithful souls.
I still resort to my “little book of encouragement.” Besides the Bible, this book written by Henry Blackaby has helped me to climb out of depressing ministry situations. Created to be God’s Friend: How God Shapes Those He Loves
One prayer I hope many will share with me – pray for a greater fear of the Lord to come upon Christian leaders. We don’t fear God if we don’t take seriously the task He entrust to us. This means doing ministry in His way, not ours. God may have called us to be pastors or leaders but it’s foolish to do things the way we thought it should be done. Instead, when God calls us to lead, we should lead in His way. After all, the people we lead are His people.
2008 is just around the corner. I don’t know what’s in store for me, the church, the nation, or the world. But one thing I’m always sure is that God is still in control. After all, He holds the whole world in His hands as He makes all things beautiful in its own time. I do not want to be distracted – in my faith, in my focus, in my walk with the Lord. God is still God, He is still my God.
