Monday, February 18, 2008

Leader

God-given leadership is given to a person who seeks not to lead, but seeks to serve.

"Those who want to be first will be last. Those who seek to be the greatest must be the servant of all." -- Jesus

Jesus did not only speak these words, He backed it up with his actions.
He demonstrated it with the way He lived His life; never refusing anyone who came to Him for healing, washing His disciples' feet, and ultimately by dying on the Cross in exchange for all our lives... we who are not even worthy to undo the straps of His sandals.

It's always a point to reflect on, for it is all too easy to forget that the word "servant" comes first in "servant-leader". As I try to find my way in my new role in ministry, it is something that the Lord really reminds me... To remember where I came from, what put me on the path of ministry in the first place.

After my YISS in 2004 I remember leaving with a fire inside but without the ability to do anything. I had no confidence to lead worship, I could not speak a word of prophecy, I didn't have knowledge to teach... All I had was a burning desire to do something for this God who had rescued me, to serve Him somehow. I guess that's probably what the Lord saw, and that was all He needed to get to work in me.

And 3 years later I am amazed of the things I have seen the Lord do in my life. Not by might, not by power, but truly only by His Spirit.
I never asked for this... I did not ask to be placed where I am. But I am quite certain this is where I need to be at this point in my life, to fulfill the plans He has for me... whatever they are.

My prayer is that I will be able to say with St. Paul:

"When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power."

Thursday, February 14, 2008

V

Today is Valentine's Day, so let us take time to especially thank God for the great love He has poured into our lives. We often take for granted the fact that God loves us, lost in the flood of activities and conversations that make up a day in the life.

So in this day dedicated to celebrate love, let us remember He who IS Love.

Let us also not forget the people He has placed around us to express His love... Family, friends, loved ones. Let us appreciate how blessed we are to have these people to share & experience love with.

It is customary for friends & lovers to exchange gifts on Valentine.
So I wonder what would Jesus do if we were to ask Him for a Valentine gift (He being the lover of our souls and all)? =)

Perhaps all He needed to do was to smile & point at that old rugged cross on Calvary.
For that is without a doubt the greatest gift of Love in the history of mankind.

So when was the last time you told Jesus that you love Him? =)

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Ha ha... Lazy me... it's already February, and I hardly blogged about January.

Chinese New Year is here again. Going home to celebrate with my family, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be (I hope..)

A quick getaway from S'pore. Always good to be distant from it all every now and then... Puts things in perspective.

Seems like my mind hardly stops turning for the past 2-3 weeks.
But at least I have made peace with the fact that my position now is where I am supposed to be.
In true Christian fashion of doing things paradoxically, being in leadership brings me to the awareness that I am small and often inadequate.
But small is what I am, for I must decrease, so that He may increase in me.
The Lord sure has a way of bringing the proud to their knees, in humble adoration... =)

And the more I complicate matters, the Lord sometimes bring me back to the simple.
As I cried out, lost and desperate for directions, visions, and how to move in leadership...

My Master simply said, "Follow."

Then I realised how true it is, in all its glorious one-word-simplicity...
A leader is one who shows the way, by following the Way, the Truth and the Life.
There is only one game plan, to follow Him, and let Him make things fall into place.

Yes.. One word...
But in itself lies the challenge... It is not easy to submit my will to Jesus. Not always keen to go where He leads... Heh =P.. Not even sure where He is going sometimes.

Quo vadis Domine?

So Lord, help me to trust You each and every day...
I acknowledge my sinfulness before You, help my unbelief.