Woohoo…entering
into the second month already! And what hv I accomplished or learnt during the
first month of the year?! Don’t put to tomorrow what you can do today. The year
opened with tragic news, perhaps an indication of how gloomy the year (s) will
be like ahead of us. Tragic fatal motor accidents costing innocent lives,
drastic drop in crude oil per barrel, call to get a second job to survive,
expected 5-figure unemployment, etc. It sure looks gloomy. But I’d like to
believe God is in control. For me, I often find it hard to reconcile what the
head knows with how the heart feels. But sure enough is this fact: God is watchful
over every event that unfolds n He awaits the right time to put His plans to
work.
ISA
55:9 "As the heavens
are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts
than your thoughts. ISA 55:10 As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not
return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that
it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, ISA 55:11
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but
will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Isn’t that
Isaiah passage a comfort we need in times like now? It comforts me for sure.
First week
of January I was in Klang for a 3-day intensive trainers’ training. Was quite
an experience staying in the hotel my host put us up. Fanciful name n posh
contemporary deco complete with hi-tech security. During the 2 nights stay I
moved into 3 rooms! First it was the bathroom door that got jammed (my sister
was locked in for 40mins before maintenance came after 3 intercoms); then the
second room had water disruption; n the third room has shower options of just
super hot n super cold with nothing in between! That aside, the training was an
eye-opener n enriching – thanks to J&P.
Second
week of January I was in Port Dickson. No, it was not sunshine in the beach. It
was a diocesan retreat. I wonder why there weren’t any team-building activities
n I observed how cliques formed according to ethnicity. The teaching sessions
were basic n I noticed many participants not paying attention – me included.
But this one thing I discovered – I now realized how “titles” make a
difference. Previously, many fellow colleagues treated me as a “newbie” which
indeed I was in the Anglican diocese. Suddenly with a Dr, it’s a different
treatment. I was even added into the whatsapp chat group that consists of “high
flyers” of the Anglican church! The way people talk to me n acknowledge my
presence changed. This one person who used to call me, “hey SB,” now calls me,
“doctor,” complete with a respectful nod. Wahloa! No wonder people everywhere
seek after “titles.” It really makes a difference!
I seemed
to recall another incident (no, this time not the Anglican community) I was
introduced as Dr Swee Bee to a group n I immediately responded, “just call me
Swee Bee.” The next respond I received was, “oh, that’s very humble of you.”
WHAT?!Humble? Me? I am being humble? Well, rather…I am being CHRISTIAN! Hello…?
I tend to believe this instead – a deaconess (Dss) title will NOT make me any
holier; a doctor (Dr) title will NOT make me any smarter. I am the same person
as before n prone to sin as anyone else. And I need partnership from fellow
Christian brothers n sisters along this spiritual pilgrimage n transformation
into the likeness of Jesus Christ. It looks like “worldly culture” has so
permeated into the church n crawling its way to the top leadership, thus
influencing them to “impart” worldly-tainted perspectives to the rest of the
church!
Third week
of January the SAM class in Sungai Petani “branch” started its academic term. I
am teaching the Intro to OT class. This is a different crowd with mostly
Indonesian contract workers n Indonesians married to local Malaysians. It is
interesting that the composition of students in Taman Pelangi (Prai), Sungai
Petani (Kedah), n Ipoh are all different n it gives me vast opportunities to
learn from the students. Thank you, Lord! The once-a-week class in SP will hv 8
sessions with breaks for CNY n my Feb class in Ipoh. CNY is right around the
corner n deco n drumming music is already in the malls. After CNY is a
week-long class in Evangelism n Discipleship in Ipoh. This is the first time I
am teaching this course n hv to spend more time in its various preparations.
The week
after CNY, SAM in Taman Pelangi starts it academic term with a course in
Biblical Interpretation. A Korean missionary is teaching this class. In the
meantime, I am working with a Christian publisher to publish a “Bible-school
worthy” BM book – Basic Guide in Bible Interpretation: Playing by the Rules (or
something like that). This book is somewhat a “classic” n hopefully the printed
copies can roll out the press before class begins.
Thank you
for praying with us n thank you for your partnership in this exciting ministry
of vast potential. I pray that for the days ahead in this year, we join our
hearts to pray for God’s intervention in our nation, in our world, in this
generation so that people everywhere see the glory of Him who loves us all!
