Basis of Faith

We don't know enough versus we don't know at all. 

Don't plant doubts, because doubts are not an expression of faith. When we seek God, there is a certain level of intimacy that we need to maintain, much like David, Abraham and even Job. Presumption or true expression of faith, we can argue until the cows come home. Both look the same, and there is probably little we can do to tease them apart, so a simple but effective guideline is this: decide based on your faith in who He is and maybe who you believe Him to be. It is definitely presumption when the faith is in the self- I can't be wrong about God, I saw those and I'm sure my interpretation is legit, God told me this and that must be it. The former is about God and in God, the latter is about self and in self.

Yet, never swing to the other end. Fact is this, Christianity is a relationship, God's Word is given with the intention of revealing Himself to us, God wants us to know Him. In other words, it is God's design and intention for us to move in faith, with Him as the anchor to keep us on track. If being cautious only makes us go a detour in our destiny, then maybe we can cut some slack here. But if being cautious causes tension, makes people doubt and even frustrates those under us because we think we know better- the moment (the critical point) is when our people start believing that they can't hear God- then the consequences can be dire and it ranges from a lifelong suppression/oppression and withdrawal into insecurity (since I can't hear, I better wait to be told by those who can) to complete fed up and quitting. 

This post is supposed to be an assurance to all, especially those who are leading. None of us know enough, and functioning from a point of thinking that we already know all is sheer delusion which almost certainly leads to disobedience. But functioning from a position of don't know at all completely overshadow the few facts that I've pointed out earlier on about God's nature and intention- it is out of fear and it is void of faith. That leaves many doors locked and inaccessible, and we become powerless and self-defeating. However functioning out of an acknowledgement of not knowing enough drives us to seek Him more, to know Him better, and to look upon the fulfillment of God's plan as a means to please God, not an end to itself. The focus of this is God, and our role here is to flourish that relationship. 

The biggest injustice to God is when people start calling out "Your will be done and not mine" thinking that it's all about God doing what He wants and what pleases Him. While that must be true, that is incomplete. When Jesus cried out that particular call of desperation, it was in the context of "take this cup away from me if it is possible". Your will be done and not mine must be understood in the context of knowing God and His nature, that His will is the best possible for us. It's not just pleasing to Him, but it is the most beneficial for us. Jesus was able to come to that conclusion/submission because He and God are One, and His relationship with God is the best that we can learn and imitate from. Therefore while His preference was to be rid of that short term suffering (take away the cup), He knew God enough to submit in order to rid of the long term suffering of humanity, which is infinitely better. 

Anyway, that is the biggest and most important submission in all of humanity, so when we call for His will to be done; never ever ever call it out of casual cluelessness, but perfect understanding and conviction of the goodness that is BOUND TO overflow from submitting because that is His nature. It's not just for Him, but in Him we gain us (pleasing Him benefits us).

Slipping Through

Some weeks back when our readings for Bahasa Indonesia module talked about street kids in Indonesia, I responded with firm conviction that Singapore has the problem as well, sadly. It shocked many, especially my Indonesian teachers who readily took in the beautiful image that the nation has been actively painting over the years. Yes, we are rich; yes, we are clean; yes, we are not corrupted; yes, we are safe; yes, we are efficient, and hence we have no problem. Far from that...

My acquaintance with Tamar village, together with my infrequent involvement in the less accessed regions such as Geylang, helped me to gain insights into these invisibles. We did a good job keeping them off the streets (during the day at least) and it's no wonder few are aware of their existence. It takes deliberate effort to locate them in the wee hours of the night to find them in parks, public squares, on benches, and quite literally scavenging for necessities such as food. Homelessness is a very real issue around us: (Out in the Cold). 

Many times, it's not the obvious issue that is the hardest to address. Everyone in the world knows that the Africans need help; everyone in the world knows that SEA is one of the most notorious regions for sex trades; everyone in Singapore knows that living in Singapore is tough and work-life balance hangs in the balance. But it is the seemingly well that hides away the genuine needs. Homelessness is not just invisible in Singapore- it has been camouflaged! Perceived wellness and wealthiness conceal nicely the kind of income disparity that has been widening at alarming pace. While traffic system, haze, NS and cost of living dominated the headlines in recent years, the phenomenon also shed light into how the voices of the voiceless are constantly being muted. Urgency is determined by demands, and the magnitude of the demands by the amount of influence the people has. Hobos and the likes who have little and have been easily brushed aside and chased around continue to be brushed aside and chased around, as precious resources are being channeled into appeasing furious citizens who are increasingly being spoilt (made unreasonable by the unreasonable demands of living here). 

At the end of the day, politics are a game for the rich- much like a trade- a constant demonstration of proving themselves and gaining credibility so as to establish better grounds to garner votes the next time round. My conviction about my Christian faith (we preach the gospel because we love you; we don't love you in order to preach the gospel) applies here too: politicians who genuinely love and are committed to serving their people want to get elected so that they can serve; many serve so that they can get elected again the next time round. Both would look the same, and I'm in no position nor do I have the capacity to analyze who belongs to which categories, except that as it stands, much dust balls and dirt have accumulated under the carpet. 

~               ~                   ~

Awareness, and then a desire to make a difference, and then actions to initiate change. 

PS. My compassion cannot reach far. Even with all that has been said, I ponder at the possibility of what could have been. Could Chua from that video have done anything in his youth to better his situation? I sympathize with his predicament, but I think his current predicament does not and should not negate his irresponsible living/parenting in his youth (if that is really the case). Granted, the children should never ever have abandoned him... I just thought there must be some deeper issues.

Service makes me grateful for the privilege of involvement; serving makes me realize the smallness of me in His big works. 

This is no sacrifice because I merely dedicated what I like to do unto Him, and I am glad that it created a small movement within my social circle. While things remain sketchy as to how much they have caught onto what I was trying to convey, I remain hopeful that they will remember- that good works are not a distant things, that God's works are happening at our doorsteps. 

As we crossed the finishing line, we carried the burdens of many friends and family, and that is a prophetic act of breakthrough. This shall set the precedence, and the youngsters shall rise up, and the old shall be strengthened, and as a generation, we will usher in the Kingdom of God onto this shore we call home! 

Moving Ahead, By Myself (God and me)

Whenever something exciting takes shape in my imagination, I always have the urge to share with others about these ingenious ideas. Many times I set off in hope of rallying some excited souls to come alongside, to take on these challenges; and many times I ended up frustrated and disappointed.

I don't know if I had come off wanting these friends to be refreshed in their minds and souls, like how Christians go around shoving gospels in the faces of their unbelieving loved ones. OR perhaps, rallying had really been a perfect guise to hide my own incompetency, my own fear of commitment, and to find a cushion to diffuse responsibility. Isn't that how social support works- when you feel like stopping, you can rely on these people to keep you moving. 

I have no qualms about sharing the testimonies, especially the Gospel. After all in a huge portion of my early faith, I always boldly declared that "things are so good, and we can't help but to share it with our friends", and then I would proceed with quoting many biblical examples about how those handicapped ones rejoiced, how the women by the well told everyone, and even how Joseph boasted about his dreams to his brothers. Good things are to be shared, and there is something special that happens not just to the audience, but the person who shares during this process...

BUT today, I'm pulling a halt to the conviction. My conviction still stands, but I'm also beginning to recognize the flaw. What appears to be may not be what it really is. My own words are coming back at me. Rather than blaming God for a lack of companions, I have been guilty of being a disappointment too. Right now looking back at those times when I got two good friends to come along with me to do the simple blessing project, but ended up being frustrated and annoyed by their lackluster posture... What if I have been guilty of that as well...

Some things, we just have to do it alone (with God), and my rallying should fall back onto that same principle once more. Lest I am secured in God; lest I am satisfied in God, everyone else wouldn't. 

Therefore this time round, I'm moving ahead, by myself (God and me)! 

God's Timing

And while they were there, the time came for her delivery, And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn. (Luke 2:6, 7 AMP)

The time came! Not perceptually- because the Savior came with a capital "S", but was nothing like superman. Weak and vulnerable He came.
Not logically- because the Savior came at a time when there isn't even room for one, but He came anyway because the world needs Him.

God's timing is not about the best explanation of why and how. The right timing shouldn't be sign or pursuit-based. It should be embraced-based!

My feelings are often unreliable (Rick Warren, 2014). The timing never seem right at Jesus's birth, but because Jesus came the time became right! Take Jesus out of the picture, and the entire nativity story becomes a hoax!

Obedience isn't about knowing God's plan and then doing accordingly; obedience is about knowing God and then do everything driven by a desire to please God. If we keep saying Christianity is a relationship then the way we relate should reflect that. God's plan is a means to please God, not a blueprint to robotically restrain people.

Today many don't live and work from freedom because of a perceptual imposing notion of "I'm not hearing God right". Fear seeps in, frustration seeps in, disillusion seeps in. Working in faith gets chained up with many "what ifs".
Paul wanted to go to Asia Minor, and it took an angelic interception to change his path; David proposed to build a temple for God. Two of the most inspiring figures in the bible had rooms to practice free will and "do what they want" instead of being always overwhelmed by a constant ponderous indecisiveness.

Am I saying that we shouldn't pray then? By no means, but like how David and Paul walked out their prayer lives, relate with God in every words we utter. In His Word, He told us to ask on many occasions so we should ask, but because we genuinely don't know. Otherwise, know God and love God, the rest should fall into place. 

Anyway, be very careful. I'm not sure how clear or how people might misinterpret it. I'm not advocating presumptions, and loving God and knowing God should not become excuses for impatience, laziness to pray etc. in fact, knowing God (fearing God) is the beginning of wisdom. If anything, those things should lead us to praying more, and desiring to know Him deeper!

Prophetic Run Thanksgiving

"IF there is one thing that all of us should remember, I want all of us to remember God's providence- His generous providence through it out."

In the days leading down to race day, I said many things, but no amount of crediting measured up to His outpouring- HIS GRACE. 

2013 November, a routined email from one of the runs threw me into a state of excitement. For more details, refer to the following link: Run For God. 

Amount pledged: 1000SGD

As of 14 February, the target has been reached via the combined sum from the likes of shirt sales and monetary contributions. God has provided in big and small ways with stranger dropping email to pledge, mysterious multiplication of the number of shirts, favor with people, cheap printing which halved the production cost and so on. 

Even for the run, it was a significant breakthrough for many of us- with my sister breaking her first ever 10km run, and Alvin and myself conquering our first 21km. Each of us carried prayer requests from both our dear ones and that which God laid upon our heart, and as we took the strides and advanced, each of us held unto His Kingdom and dragged it along with us. It was literally "Your Kingdom come!" And as we did the run prophetically, it is symbolical of huge breakthroughs in the various areas in our lives, and we firmly believe and hang onto that!

Finally, mega thankful for people who came alongside to support this in one way or the other- the supporters, money contributor, intercessors and everyone else! 

Next Monday I'm probably going to deliver the donation to Tamar Village. Will keep all updated again<3

Remember your purpose!

Galatians 3:4

"Did you suffer so many things in vain- if indeed it was in vain?"

Valentine's Reflection (Love that One)

Ideal ways are well, ideal, but sometimes an ideal option may not be the best option. 

Simply because uncontrollable factors reign in our lives, and being in an uncontrolled situation is a marker for trust (relinquishing control and saying that "I don't know better").

What would you do if you fall in love with a non-believer? Some say oh I would not commit, I would share my faith with him/her, and then I would bring him/her to church. Hopefully he/she is open and receptive enough to find out more, and it would be ideal if he/she subsequently comes to know Jesus for him/herself rather than for the boy/girlfriend. Everyone knows what ought to follow: then the he/she will suddenly have a burst in his/her walk with God, and then suddenly match up to my depth of faith, and we would get married, and we would complement each other so well, that the Kingdom of God will be glorified through our family. Oh did I forget to add, both of us would raise the family so well, that it will become the epitome of a Godly marriage. 

Ideal? Sounds awesome? Definitely!

But I personally find this challenging and view upon it as the beginning of a compromise, a teeny weeny small one. Doesn't it sound like an excuse to bypass an explicit law to 2 Corinthians 6:14. The speakers got it spot on to say that the law is to protect and to free rather than to control and restrain, but it's funny how this gave way so easily at the slightest nudge/attempt to "make it sound more encompassing". 

Granted, in our midst there are living and glowing examples to justify the above, but I also think it's a huge discredit to God's grace at work, when anything could have gone wrong through the whole journey, but His grace stretched further still. It is perhaps self-righteous to claim any bits of credits to say that I hung on, I continued to believe, I always prayed for him/her, I continue to hope, etc.  And even more so, to think that we could handle it when it comes. I tell you, we can't! At least, I can't! There are people who can, but most can't! 

In an age where many stands driven by passion and feelings, it becomes ever more important to teach about the protective and freeing nature of the law, than to find the most socially and logically acceptable solution to perhaps weave past explicit no-nos. 

Am I saying that God's grace won't be sufficient for that, and what He has done before He wouldn't do again? No! But what I am saying is we should not abuse God's grace! Romans 6:1. 

Evangelism is a good thing, and it's God's design for men's living, but a romantic relationship is not a tool for that, in any sense. 

Now take God's grace out of the picture. If the guy never comes to Christ, then what are we gonna do. We can always say that oh well, I didn't commit so I'm safe, maybe. But how many of us are aware that reaching out to a friend and reaching out to someone we like, are very different? Even without official status, or the so-called commitments, who can be certain that they could overcome their passions/feelings? We saw in our midst who would consciously choose go with their feelings even when they are not under the influence of those, so is romantic evangelism really safe? Anyway, in the midst of all the struggles to not commit, one may even begin to doubt "am I trying to win him/her for Christ, or for myself?"

I think faithful shining examples of how people continually battle and remind themselves that hey this is not what God has for them, shed powerful insights of how grace is the one that sustains. Otherwise, as much as we are concern Proverbs 4:23 and 2 Timothy 2:22 provide good enough advice that for me are the best. Never ever to apply one good thing out of context into another. Once again, romance is not an avenue for evangelism!

What I would do:

If it ever happens, stop yourself, restrain yourself. Literally, flee (2 Timothy 2:22). Subjecting yourself to something which we have an appetite for has two possibilities: sensitization or habituation. If it's the latter, then perhaps it's good, so that we can concentrate on our "evangelism efforts". But more often than not, for something that we need to restrain ourselves from, we are sensitized, and we want it more. And yes, you guessed it, we probably would compromise in the end, and justify ourselves with a whole bunch of out-of-context things. 

Flee is the best option, to protect ourselves, and if we truly love them (with Christ's love), to protect them as well. I was a victim myself, and once again it was God's grace that I am where I am today. I could have turned my back to the faith because it was really sucky. That kinda hurt! If things don't work out in the end (even if we never commit), are we going to turn cold towards him/her and move on to "evangelize" others. That in itself is another form of commitment already by the way. 

Therefore to end it off, lest you are 100% sure that your heart is guarded (which by the way should probably also mean that you never would fall for a non-believer), I would never ever encourage risking romance and evangelism.