Matthew 11:28 is a verse most Catholics are familiar with. They may give you a blank look when you quote the numbers, but once prompted with, "Come to me, you who...", most people will be able to complete it, "... are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Jesus goes on to call us to follow Him, for He is gentle and humble of heart, His yoke is easy and His burden light.
Such comfort this verse brings. Think most of us would like to be assured that we can always run to Jesus when life gets too tiring and difficult. I was just reflecting on this verse last night, and I recall how frequently I moan lately about the weight of the cross God has put on my back. How heavy it is, how tiring it is to do the work of ministry sometimes. Honestly there are times I feel like running away from it all... from the cross of leadership.
But His words reach me.. "My yoke is easy, my burden light."
I don't have to carry my weight alone, Jesus will shoulder it with me. If it's heavy perhaps it's because I am relying on my own strength, or carrying extra loads of my own making.
Next time I feel burdened I just need to remember... His yoke is easy, His burden light... and go running back to my friend Jesus.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
482,400 Minutes
One year ago minus 30 days was the last time I wrote something here.
That was my first day on this job.
In one month's time, I would have been working here for 525,600 minutes.
I write here again, at the start of Lent, sort of a milestone in my journey.
At the end of this season last year, God led me to a new job, my current employment. With the ressurrection of Christ, I began a new journey in my life feeling apprehensive but trusting in Christ all the same.
Now the Lenten journey is about to begin anew.
I wonder where I will find myself at the end of these 40 days...
That was my first day on this job.
In one month's time, I would have been working here for 525,600 minutes.
I write here again, at the start of Lent, sort of a milestone in my journey.
At the end of this season last year, God led me to a new job, my current employment. With the ressurrection of Christ, I began a new journey in my life feeling apprehensive but trusting in Christ all the same.
Now the Lenten journey is about to begin anew.
I wonder where I will find myself at the end of these 40 days...
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Day 1...
First day on the job...
Bummer...
Spent the whole day reading catalogues and Wiki-ing some physics terms. Most of the time I'm left to my own devices, which is not half bad... Had the freedom to MSN, read a chapter of manga online and did some emailing.
Well, as first days go, this one is really uneventful.
Maybe that's a good thing... Heh.. Dunno.
I had time to even attend 6 pm mass at Holy Spirit Church today. Another first... First time in about 2 years that I attended weekday mass in that place. Still much prefer Risen Christ... maybe I could try going there for mass one of these days.
But as I sat there in the chapel, I found myself crying out to God once again.
Is this really the best You've got for me? Aren't You a God Who cannot be outdone in generosity? The One Who gives in abundance? How come I end up in this small, slow company deep in Upper Thomson Rd?
My pride and my desire for recognition were talking once again.
This is only the first day... Too early to make any sort of conclusions about the new place. But I sure had plenty of time to think, and you know what they say about idle minds.
Lord, my God, help me to trust in You.
Help me to hold firm in You, that You are Good.
Though my heart cries out and rebels, still my soul proclaims You are my Lord.
Keep me always in the shadow of Your Grace.
Bummer...
Spent the whole day reading catalogues and Wiki-ing some physics terms. Most of the time I'm left to my own devices, which is not half bad... Had the freedom to MSN, read a chapter of manga online and did some emailing.
Well, as first days go, this one is really uneventful.
Maybe that's a good thing... Heh.. Dunno.
I had time to even attend 6 pm mass at Holy Spirit Church today. Another first... First time in about 2 years that I attended weekday mass in that place. Still much prefer Risen Christ... maybe I could try going there for mass one of these days.
But as I sat there in the chapel, I found myself crying out to God once again.
Is this really the best You've got for me? Aren't You a God Who cannot be outdone in generosity? The One Who gives in abundance? How come I end up in this small, slow company deep in Upper Thomson Rd?
My pride and my desire for recognition were talking once again.
This is only the first day... Too early to make any sort of conclusions about the new place. But I sure had plenty of time to think, and you know what they say about idle minds.
Lord, my God, help me to trust in You.
Help me to hold firm in You, that You are Good.
Though my heart cries out and rebels, still my soul proclaims You are my Lord.
Keep me always in the shadow of Your Grace.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Dying Into New Life
It's Easter... Alleluia, the Lord is Risen!
It has been a thoughtful season of Lent. An amazing period of reflection, where if I but put in a little bit of effort, the Lord responded so profoundly with His wisdom. Feels like Lent has been forever, but it has been a meaningful time of drawing closer to God.. like the prodigal returning to his father.
With the end of Lent comes new life in Easter... which is kinda literal for me this year.
Tommorrow ends my months long unemployment as I begin my first day at my new job. Bittersweet symphony as I list down the things I will miss once I start working again. I will surely miss the carefree days where my time is completely my own, just as surely as I am looking forward to updating my bank book every month and seeing the figures go up again =)
During the Holy Week I learnt the meaning of dying to myself.
In accepting this unexpected employment which landed in my lap I learnt to submit to God, to start the process of letting go of my desire for worldly acclaim, as I was reminded that God does not measure success the way the world does. Dying to self feels a lot like the word implies... not a comfortable sensation definitely. The sense of surrender, to plunge into the unknown and trusting in the guidance of the Lord. A mixture of apprehension and anticipation.
But just as a dear sister reminded me.. as I die to myself, so I shall find new life in the Risen Christ in Easter. This same sister pointed me to read 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho, a wonderful book which came at an appropriate time, much like the "omens", the sign of the times, which the author spoke a lot about as he spun his story.
And if I've been reading the "omens" correctly, this new job should be the next step in my journey towards my treasure, my heart's desire.... =)
It has been a thoughtful season of Lent. An amazing period of reflection, where if I but put in a little bit of effort, the Lord responded so profoundly with His wisdom. Feels like Lent has been forever, but it has been a meaningful time of drawing closer to God.. like the prodigal returning to his father.
With the end of Lent comes new life in Easter... which is kinda literal for me this year.
Tommorrow ends my months long unemployment as I begin my first day at my new job. Bittersweet symphony as I list down the things I will miss once I start working again. I will surely miss the carefree days where my time is completely my own, just as surely as I am looking forward to updating my bank book every month and seeing the figures go up again =)
During the Holy Week I learnt the meaning of dying to myself.
In accepting this unexpected employment which landed in my lap I learnt to submit to God, to start the process of letting go of my desire for worldly acclaim, as I was reminded that God does not measure success the way the world does. Dying to self feels a lot like the word implies... not a comfortable sensation definitely. The sense of surrender, to plunge into the unknown and trusting in the guidance of the Lord. A mixture of apprehension and anticipation.
But just as a dear sister reminded me.. as I die to myself, so I shall find new life in the Risen Christ in Easter. This same sister pointed me to read 'The Alchemist' by Paulo Coelho, a wonderful book which came at an appropriate time, much like the "omens", the sign of the times, which the author spoke a lot about as he spun his story.
And if I've been reading the "omens" correctly, this new job should be the next step in my journey towards my treasure, my heart's desire.... =)
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Something New Indeed
I realise something today.
At the start of the year, I remember blogging about the countdown party at IHM. It was there that I prayed to the Lord to do something new in my life, along with the others in attendance. I remember meaning it too... I wanted the Lord to renew me, to excite me & surprise me in 2008.
Well, I guess He did not waste any time.
One week after that I became the coordinator of Youth Arise. Heh. Figures.
So today I realised that I "brought it upon myself" through that prayer. What happened was an answer to my own prayer. Again the saying holds true, "Be careful what you pray for."
Oh Lord, oh Lord...
You can be really sneaky sometimes, You know that?
Ha ha ha...
At the start of the year, I remember blogging about the countdown party at IHM. It was there that I prayed to the Lord to do something new in my life, along with the others in attendance. I remember meaning it too... I wanted the Lord to renew me, to excite me & surprise me in 2008.
Well, I guess He did not waste any time.
One week after that I became the coordinator of Youth Arise. Heh. Figures.
So today I realised that I "brought it upon myself" through that prayer. What happened was an answer to my own prayer. Again the saying holds true, "Be careful what you pray for."
Oh Lord, oh Lord...
You can be really sneaky sometimes, You know that?
Ha ha ha...
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."
"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? =)
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? =)
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