Hope Floats…

It has been a tough weekend, still trying to digest the bad news. It has also been difficult to change the natural thoughts that come to me. I’ve never been someone who yearns to climb up the corporate ladder because I have my own dreams to pursue. The LORD impressed upon my heart that I should continue working the way I usually do; never compromising integrity, and pursue excellence. I don’t do any apple polishing with the hopes to advance since I believe that the true rewards come from  God and not men.

Colossians 3:23-24 King James Version (KJV)

²³ And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

²⁴ Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Ultimately, my rewards come from God. Yesterday’s message at church came right on time. It was what I needed to hear. Never put all your hopes on any corporation. Put your hopes in God and trust Him.

Psalm 39:7 New Life Version (NLV)

⁷ And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.

Isaiah 40:31 King James Version (KJV)

³¹ But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

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“Deliver Me…”

This is my favourite scene from Prince of Egypt for obvious reasons. So I just have to trust in God that He will either deliver me, see me through that fire….

Rehearsals

I was in a play once – when I was in pre-school. Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Guess who I was…. drumroll….  the narrator. Hah! I was telling stories even back then.

It just dawned on me that many of us (myself included) have been rehearsing, not in plays but in this big drama called life. The still, small voice that I depend on,…told me this morning that I have been rehearsing on the wrong things. You see,..a small group of us were given a piece of news yesterday which somehow killed our appetites and dampened our spirits. Then  every time another friend asked about how the day was, there I was – rehearsing the bad news and what I’m expecting after this organization change.

This morning, after calling my supplier, I felt God ask me to stop rehearsing the bad lines. Rehearse by speaking what is the truth because facts are subject to change.

John 15:7 King James Version (KJV)

⁷ If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.

And I shall sought the Lord for favour.

The Cluttered Mind

So many things have happened. I have been following the updates on the missing jet and how my heart grieves along with those who still have no closure, up till now.

My dad is unwell again. And so, my heart begins to worry. Again. Yes, I know God is with me. I just wish that I can see or feel His arms around me.

 

The “Magic Chair”

I had a very strange dream a few weeks ago. In the dream, I saw a grand looking chair but it wasn’t just any chair. Somehow, it converts itself to whatever I need. When I wanted to get from one place to another, I saw myself sitting down on the chair and it moved to my destination. When I was tired, it became my resting place etc… I spent sometime thinking about that dream and seeking God for revelation.

To me, a chair is somewhere I can sit and rest when I’m tired. I suppose if the chair is big enough, I could also hide from people I prefer not to see, or hide from those who always give me a hard time… something like security albeit hiding from people doesn’t always work all the time. Then a thought struck me : when I’ve had a hard day at work, all I want to do is sit down and do nothing and practically laze around.  I’ve never once wondered if the chair would hold my weight. I hardly inspect the chair before sitting down. I don’t think people do that. So, the question is why do people find it easy to believe in the chair’s goodness (ie. stability and endurance) but find it difficult to believe in the goodness of God? Yes, I have my own share of struggles. But the LORD has ways to reassure me.

Since it’s the last day of 2013, I decided to send this package to God. The contents include my concerns on the changes in the company reorganizing structures, the possibility of having a different manager, my concerns for my own health (my knees)…etc
Do you have such a package? It’s time to rest on Him.

Psalm 46:1

King James Version (KJV)

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 116:7

New International Version (NIV)

7 Return to your rest, my soul,
for the Lord has been good to you.

Wanted: Hope

A friend and I had a serious discussion this morning, although she’s miles away. It started when I expressed sadness about the rise in suicide cases. Have people become less tough? Or do they give up more easily now? I am not saying that I understand what they went through, that drove them to suicide. I just feel saddened. 

I know how it feels to look at my artworks hanging on the wall. All my works are precious to me, whether or not others appreciate them. The point is I appreciate them. I felt immense pleasure creating them. So, it makes me wonder how God must’ve felt. I think His heart aches deeply for those that have made the choice to end their lives. No, I don’t have all the answers to why bad things happen to good people or the deep and profound questions. I was asked what I think will happen to them. I don’t know.  Is suicide sin? Yes, after all, it’s taking one’s life. I also believe that when Christ died, He died for our sins, once and for all. All means all. I believe there is only one “unpardonable sin” and that’s permanently rejecting Christ. (http://christiananswers.net/q-eden/unpardonablesin.html)

But I do know that if you cling to God, there is always hope. And He’s really not that far away. I’m not saying this because I have a problem-free life, but it’s because of these problems and dark valleys that I realised that God is very real. He has always been there for me, in good and bad times. Sometimes, it’s through comforting words from friends. 

None of your problems is too trivial for Him. If it bothers you, it bothers Him. I remember the time when I was back in Penang for my summer break, waiting for my exam results. Being a scholarship student, I’ve always felt the pressure to perform academically, or I risked losing my scholarship. I remember feeling so worried about my exam results. I couldn’t confide in anyone and therefore, the pressure kept building up. Then one night I had a dream. In my dream, I saw a highway with a big road sign that says “Trust Me!” 

I hope this encourages you. God bless.

1 Peter 3:18

18 Christ suffered and died for sins once for all. He never sinned and yet He died for us who have sinned. He died so He might bring us to God. His body died but His spirit was made alive. (NLV)

Going Home

When I was in my final year at University of Waterloo, I tried to find a job desperately but the door was closed to me. I felt very sad because I love the country. I love the friends I’ve made when I was there and I just like how things are so organized. Naturally when I returned home to Penang, I was bitter. I couldn’t understand why I had to come back to Penang. In fact, my first few days back in this island was filled with so much dissatisfaction. I complained about how buses were not on time and there’s no schedule on the arrival times of the buses. I complained about how cashiers in the mall are not friendly and I complained about the weather. I still complain about the weather and the traffic congestion but I think through the years, God has taught me about hope. It took many years but I have definitely seen some improvements. Obviously there’s nothing we can do about the climate with the fact that Penang is near the equator. But I have truly seen improvements. So, it has brought me the courage to hope that this entire country can be a better country, a safer country, cleaner, more organized and corruption free. So, if you’re voting this Sunday- think about it properly before marking the box.