Date of the Year #1

Today I had the amazing opportunity to go on a date with a dear friend and sister. She's one of my youths that I am blessed to be able to walk alongside with for the past few years.

Speaking to her today, I've realised how she's grown. I was able to share a lot more about my own thoughts and feelings with her, which I felt she would be able to understand and identify with, a lot more than before. It was encouraging to hear from her regarding her motivations for serving in church, and how she deals with some life issues. It was also encouraging for both of us to look back at some faith goals she's set for 2012, and realise that she's met many of them!

Looking back, I would not have envisioned this day, really, when we can openly share about our lives and how God is part of our lives. I really hope that our friendship will continue to grow deeper and we can continue to spur one another on. I just stand in amazement of how God's grace continues to be abundant in our lives - when relationships like this one continues to grow, even though we are from different generations, and have different set of challenges that we face in life. It's not that we are good, because we didn't even plan and envision this to happen, but it's God who is good and how God makes things and people grow.

A day like this only continues to remind me to abide in Christ and trust Him for growth that only He can bring in our lives. May we grow closer to Him and closer to one another. :) <3

Hunger, thirst and tears

"16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." Rev 7

Hunger, thirst and tears are what I encounter on a day to day basis. People I meet come in broken and lost. They ask questions such as "who am I? what am I living for?" Many times, it is in difficult and challenging situations, when we've felt that we've lost what we've put our hopes and dreams in that the answers to these existential questions become even more crucial and significant. I suppose, this goes against Abraham's Maslow's hierarchy of needs; we want to know who we are and what we are living for even if our basic needs are not adequately met.

As I experience my encounters with the people I meet and reading this passage today, I realise how blessed I am to have the hope that one day, God, my Heavenly Father Himself will wipe away every tear. Repeat: God wipes away every tear. I am amazed at how personal and intimate our great and Almighty God is that He would personally wipe away our tears. Scripture doesn't say that our tears will miraculously go away but that God will wipe them away.

I am moved to pray even more for the people I meet, that they will also have the same certain hope and that they will one day belong to Him. I don't know if I will and can be the one who will directly share my hope with them, but I pray it to be so. It will take a miracle, but with God all things are possible.

I hope that as I am comforted by the God who comforts, I will also bring peace and comfort for people, and point them to the true Comforter and person who can provide true peace.

Not defined by our problems

Recently, I've become aware about how I feel quite anxious and burdened by some of the people I counsel and help in the course of social work.  Having to listen to people and their problems on a daily basis is emotionally draining. The passion that I initially had slowly wanes off and auto pilot mode of helping sets in. I struggle to find joy in what I do. 

I realise that one of the reasons why I feel this way is because I have started to see my people's problems as my people. I've been starting to see problems defining the people that I help, subconsciously. When I meet them, I start thinking of all their problems that I have to counsel and help them with. Not surprisingly, I would feel so burdened and anxious even before I meet them. 

The truth is, people are not defined by their problems. People are created in the image of God and their worth and identity are ascribed by Him. If I continue thinking that problems define people, I will never be able to empower my people because I would feel stuck and even overwhelmed by their problems. I would never be able to treat my people with inherent worth and dignity. 

Recently, I met a lady who started sharing with me all her issues and problems. And her issues were really quite serious, but i cant say much here because of confidentially issues. I suppose God was already redeeming my thinking then. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and anxious like I probably might have and start going into problem solving mode, I started listening to her and attending to her, and I was able to do so. I was able to tell her that she is not defined by her problems (I probably said it in a different way, in her context). I was able to speak to her about deeper issues. 

Many of us, who are going through difficult times may have started to believe the lie that our difficulties define who we are. But they don't, and I'm glad Scripture reminds us that we are who we are in relation to a relational being, the triune God, not our problems. 

my work matters to God and God matters to my work.