"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21
I woke up this morning with a hangover of the raging emotions and thoughts on what I should have, could have done the night before.
Morning broke with a mighty display of nature's awesomeness. Lightning , heavy rains... At one point, I saw, right outside my window and right before my eyes a flash of the brilliant, brightest flash of lightning I ever gazed upon.
It captivated me both beautifully and struck a certain amount of fear in me at the same time. No, not the fear of being struck or caught in its path, but fear of the Lord. Like many a great prophet and apostle, all fell in fear and reverent awe before our God, I didn't fall to my knees but that moment I fell in surrender to Him.
Plans. Ideas. Intentions.
Not a strange word to any of us definitely, in fact, there probably isn't a single point in time where we can say that we have no plans. (Not referring to the "I got no plans for the weekend" kind). Among the basic needs of the human existence, plans, I believe rank among the top. Afterall, we're creatures of intellect. Plans keeps our otherwise mundane lives going right?
"I plan to score well in exams to advance futher" - lacking which we'll probably cruise through school which is pretty boring.
"I plan to make it to the school's soccer team (or improve my soccer skills)" - lacking which, we'll probably do usual kickabout stuff which, in this case, can get boring. (Just a generalisation here)
"I plan to accomplish so and so, just so I can advance further in my career." - lacking which there probably is nothing to look forward to at work except routine tasks.
I've had ideas, I've charted out plans, I've intended and probably put to action quite a few of them. Some succeeded, some failed..
In the aftermath of these plans, I've rejoiced, I've brooded over, I've been encouraged, I've been discouraged numerous times.
I chanced upon the titular verse on a website
"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21
I regained a new sense of confidence and strength, realising once again that at the core of it all, despite the victories and failures, it's God purpose for me that stands tall.
That made sense. I realised that the one thing I've missed most of the time in my own planning is the surrendering to God's purpose for me.
It made sense.
In my failures, He held me up.
In my victories, He rejoiced over me.
In my doubts, He prompted me.
In my doings, He gave me strength.
Everything made sense.
His plans and purpose for me were to give me plans that prosper me, plans that give me hope and a future.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future - Jeremiah 29:11
During my reflection this morning, I was urged to put on Steven Chapman's I Will Be Here on my iPod. (Steven wrote this song to recount the hardships that his wife and him faced and how God brought them through). To me, this song came as a love letter from Jesus.
"Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the sun does not appear,
I will be here.
If in the dark we lose sight of love,
Hold my hand and have no fear,
‘Cause I will be here.
I will be here when you feel like being quiet;
When you need to speak your mind, I will listen.
And I will be here when the laughter turns to crying;
Through the winning, losing, and trying, we’ll be together,
‘Cause I will be here.
Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the future is unclear,
I will be here.
As sure as seasons are made for change,
Our lifetimes are made for years,
So I will be here."
This is the portion of the song that struck me the most. Recalling the popular "Footprints in the Sand", I was made aware again that Jesus was ALWAYS with me. In a very intimate and reassuring way, He reminded me that He knows my faults, failures, joys and pains. In fact, He shared those moments with me.
"I will be here"
"I WILL BE HERE"
If I were to reconstruct my morning's reflection into a letter from God, it'll probably go like this:
Good morning child,
I am the Lord, God Almighty. With My hand I direct lightning bolts; with My hand I bring forth the heavy rains. Child, I know your frustrations and hurts, I know the times you've failed and the times you've succeeded. I was there just as I am here right now. If ever you doubt, doubt not because I will be here.
Child, I want you to know that I have a purpose for you. I want you to know that I have a whole future waiting for you. I will never leave you because I love you.
"Tomorrow morning if you wake up
And the future is unclear,
I will be here.
As sure as seasons are made for change,
Our lifetimes are made for years,
So I will be here."
So Lord, teach me, show me and guide me to surrender all of myself to You again. Take my plans, my thoughts, my ideas and break and bend them to Your purpose. I surrender wholly to You. For You are my hope, my past, my present and my future.
"Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." Proverbs 19:21
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Small Act Done With Great Love
"Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God"
I once read this line from a book "On Being A Servant of God" and I chanced upon it again from a website.
Was recalling the recent meetings on Activate. How apt!
The bible story that inspired Activate is the story of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes. Here I finally see the entire picture (and meaning and purpose of the ministry) in one sentence.
Ministry happened at that very moment the little boy offered all of his possessions to the disciples.
Jesus (divine resource) fed 5000 men (human needs) through the small act of offering from the little boy (loving channels).
My thoughts fall heavily on the little boy.
Being possibly the only one among the crowd that day who had food on him, I guess that he must be experiencing a whole lot of mixed emotions as the disciples saw the 5 loaves and 2 fishes in his hands.
His mind probably raced back and forth, "What do they want with me? Are they gonna take away my food? What am I going to eat then? What am I gonna do?"
Mother Theresa once said, "We can do no great things, only small things with great love"
There you have it, the moment the food exchanged hands, the boy traded up his "starring role" for the afternoon to be part of a bigger, more glorious story that God had in motion.
I believe that a great sense of love overwhelmed the boy when he offered all he had.
Logically, if anyone were there at that point in time, and if you were the only one who had food (mind you, the rest among you are hungry)... What are the odds of giving all that you have to a group of 12 men unsure that you might have anything to eat in the end?
The very human me wouldn't. I'd probably snuck off somewhere and devoured it with gusto!
It definitely takes a whole lot of love for the boy to offer everything. Love for people. I bet he thought, the moment he handed over the food, "I'm gonna be broke as anything and this is all I have. But, if this is gonna help everyone here in anyway possible, I'm in. I'm all in."
A small act done out of great love.
I once read this line from a book "On Being A Servant of God" and I chanced upon it again from a website.
Was recalling the recent meetings on Activate. How apt!
The bible story that inspired Activate is the story of the 5 loaves and 2 fishes. Here I finally see the entire picture (and meaning and purpose of the ministry) in one sentence.
Ministry happened at that very moment the little boy offered all of his possessions to the disciples.
Jesus (divine resource) fed 5000 men (human needs) through the small act of offering from the little boy (loving channels).
My thoughts fall heavily on the little boy.
Being possibly the only one among the crowd that day who had food on him, I guess that he must be experiencing a whole lot of mixed emotions as the disciples saw the 5 loaves and 2 fishes in his hands.
His mind probably raced back and forth, "What do they want with me? Are they gonna take away my food? What am I going to eat then? What am I gonna do?"
Mother Theresa once said, "We can do no great things, only small things with great love"
There you have it, the moment the food exchanged hands, the boy traded up his "starring role" for the afternoon to be part of a bigger, more glorious story that God had in motion.
I believe that a great sense of love overwhelmed the boy when he offered all he had.
Logically, if anyone were there at that point in time, and if you were the only one who had food (mind you, the rest among you are hungry)... What are the odds of giving all that you have to a group of 12 men unsure that you might have anything to eat in the end?
The very human me wouldn't. I'd probably snuck off somewhere and devoured it with gusto!
It definitely takes a whole lot of love for the boy to offer everything. Love for people. I bet he thought, the moment he handed over the food, "I'm gonna be broke as anything and this is all I have. But, if this is gonna help everyone here in anyway possible, I'm in. I'm all in."
A small act done out of great love.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Everything In Its Time
Remembering Ecclesiastes 3, I was just listening to this song by Corrinne May. I didn't exactly finish listening to the entire song though; was touched and moved by the chorus of the song:
"The river runs and the river hides,
Out to the ocean and under the sky.
I promise you the answer will come,
Just hold on to patience and wait for the sign.
Everything in its time.."
I've been struggling alot lately in many many areas of my work. Just looking back, it's been going on for a while. It just gets worse as more areas of my life start to crumble. Work, ministries, family, friends, commitment. Also, I sense a fight with a close friend brewing in the horizon.
Sometimes I can't help but think is there no end to the situations that come my way? Is there no end to the problems that I have to face? Is there anyone who truly understands what I go through?
Amidst all these, Corrinne has (through her song) told me the One true promise that will stand. Long before time began and after time ends, He was and will always be there. My God has always been beside me, though many many times I refuse to acknowledge His presence.
Who am I that I deserve this depth of grace? What is this love showered over me unending, overflowing and forgiving?
Still I fall into the dark abyss of sin once too often despite knowing and encountering Him.
Isaiah tells us to wait upon the Lord, to depend on His strength. What does it mean to wait on Him? How do I wait on Him? The human soul in an impatient entity, always rushing, never silent, never contented. How then can I calm my anxious heart and tune myself to His will? The One who wants to give me only His best.
Jesus, You alone can break these chains.. You alone know my rising and my falling.. You alone see my worth.. You alone can rescue..
My Chainbreaker, Saviour King, Lifegiver. I dare not call You best friend for no friend neglects another. I pray that Your grace abounds to me..
"The river runs and the river hides,
Out to the ocean and under the sky.
I promise you the answer will come,
Just hold on to patience and wait for the sign.
Everything in its time.."
I've been struggling alot lately in many many areas of my work. Just looking back, it's been going on for a while. It just gets worse as more areas of my life start to crumble. Work, ministries, family, friends, commitment. Also, I sense a fight with a close friend brewing in the horizon.
Sometimes I can't help but think is there no end to the situations that come my way? Is there no end to the problems that I have to face? Is there anyone who truly understands what I go through?
Amidst all these, Corrinne has (through her song) told me the One true promise that will stand. Long before time began and after time ends, He was and will always be there. My God has always been beside me, though many many times I refuse to acknowledge His presence.
Who am I that I deserve this depth of grace? What is this love showered over me unending, overflowing and forgiving?
Still I fall into the dark abyss of sin once too often despite knowing and encountering Him.
Isaiah tells us to wait upon the Lord, to depend on His strength. What does it mean to wait on Him? How do I wait on Him? The human soul in an impatient entity, always rushing, never silent, never contented. How then can I calm my anxious heart and tune myself to His will? The One who wants to give me only His best.
Jesus, You alone can break these chains.. You alone know my rising and my falling.. You alone see my worth.. You alone can rescue..
My Chainbreaker, Saviour King, Lifegiver. I dare not call You best friend for no friend neglects another. I pray that Your grace abounds to me..
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