Outstaying our usefulness

Every Malaysian is still very caught up with the unexpected change of political landscape. Rumors abound and talks of uncertainty are the main topics of discussion practically everywhere. One important lesson that we should all learn is not to overstay in our positions. It is true that some individual possess outstanding abilities and we want them to stay on a long time. But we should remember that no one is indispensable. I believe the task for all of us is to recruit replacements. What I mean is, we should always have the goal of raising new potentials and then move on. The problem with staying where we are for too long is the danger of complacency, laziness, comfort, and being too rooted that our perspectives/opinions become too narrow. My problem is for those who stay in the same position 20, 30 years. I mean, move on. Raise people and move on – that’s the real test of capability. However good you are in your area of expertise, it will amount to nothing if you fail to raise a successor. People are always afraid to loose control/power when they give away authority but as John Maxwell mentioned in one of his books, the opposite is true. I believe it is true because the more authority you give out, the more effective you’ll be. The illustration is a bar of soap. It is more useful when it is used. The more it is used, the more effective it is in fulfilling its purpose.

I think the church needs to learn this too. The church needs to adopt the vision to raise successors. No one can turn into an expert over-night. Even from this very day, we need to raise successor. We need to source potentials and invest in them to take over the rein as the next generation emerge. I pray that more will catch this vision. Old things must past. This is a spiritual pilgrimage – we journey through a life that is temporal on earth. There should always be the pilgrim’s mindset. May we all learn to be spiritually discerned to understand the times.

A Cloud of Uncertainty

The General Election is just around the corner. I know many who are like me – politically ignorant. Besides that, we ask ourselves how to cast our votes wisely? We hardly know the candidates who claim to represent us. In fact, we seldom see even the shadow of them at any other times besides the few short days prior to election. The danger here is the emotional high preceding every election and human as we are, tend to be influenced by those emotions.

Uncertainty is one thing that most if not all of us are confronted with each moment. We live in the present with no certainty of what the next moment may bring. As Christians, we have a hope in the future and it is this hope that is keeping us focused; that gives us purpose and meaning; that gives us a faith to persevere the present.

For me, each time I feel discouraged or faced with some uncertainty, I turn to God’s word. In particular, I listen again to the prophecies proclaimed over my life. After all, it is these promises that had kept me going through the tough times of ministry. Yet, there still are times I question God; there are times I got angry at God; there are times I doubt God – all because I am limited within my perspective & not able to see the big picture of how God is putting things in place. Just a little while ago, I asked the Lord whether He has forgotten me. He gave me a promise but it seems like He has forgotten all about it & left me alone in a stagnant environment. I cannot understand & I feel frustrated, not willing to be comforted. Sure the head has all the right answers but the heart still refuses to accept them.

Actually, I’m pretty bored. I am someone some people would label as “workaholic.” Challenging tasks give me excitement & fulfillment. So right now, having completed my ThM, being asked to take a year’s break before proceeding to PhD, confronted with tasks I’m accustomed to for about 3 years now…I’m bored. I’m too relaxed and that’s the reason for the boredom. I’m not a person who can relax, lay back & “take it easy.” Honestly, I just do not know how to adapt to such a relaxing lifestyle. It’s just not me. Thus, I’ve been praying hard for more opportunities of challenging ministries. Pray together with me. After all, we are made to work (Gen. 2:15).