Sunday, May 25, 2008

Being Like-Minded

Have you ever experienced this before? When you are in the midst of like-minded people especially in the fellowship of siblings-in-Christ whose hearts are for God and His people, there is always this sense of joy and edification?

By saying the above-mentioned, I am not trying to sound snobbish or exclusive in any way. It is just a refreshing experience which simply cannot be contained. It is my desire that others will also share this same feeling as it is very uplifting.

Well, this weekend I had a great time!

Yesterday morning I met a brother for breakfast and we were just sharing our lives to one another - how our walk with the Lord has been; how some of the things we have learnt from the Word challenged us to do something which we had never imagined ourselves to embark in; how when you are in step with God, even the highest mountain or the deepest valley seems easy to conquer because you have this assurance that God will never fail!

Then in the evening I met a very dear sister to have dinner with her and then we went shopping together because it is now the Great Singapore Sale! I only got to know her about a week ago through the wedding coordination I did. Though this brother-sister relationship just started, there was already this connection because we were able to build each other up through encouragement of the Word and prayer. We also share some common interests.

Coincidentally both siblings-in-Christ were from other churches and I am happy that I am able to have these opportunities and privileges!

I enjoyed what I did the whole of today. In the morning, I met a dear brother-in-Christ to discuss with him about a fundraising dinner that my church is holding in August. Because we had this desire to serve the Lord in this event, when we came together, though it was purely planning, the joy was there in our discussion. Too many plannings can be drag sometimes but not for this meeting I had. Thanks be to God.

Then of course I also enjoyed the time of fellowship with my God-Son and his parents. We had lunch together, did a bit of shopping. After that I went to their home to do some homework that my God-Son was given. We went on to join the MacRitchie Running Fellowship gang and that was also a time I enjoyed as we caught up with one another. There are just so many things to share about!

I felt a little feverish since morning but thank God I am better now. Funnily it did not bother me at all simply due to the wonderful time spent with the above parties of friends!

That said, I cannot deny there will be times when there are conflicts and discouragement - maybe because we have not been disciplined enough to walk in step with God or that we are not being sensitive to one another or that we just take things for granted. These then break the fellowship and every one involved will be affected.

The above paragraph is not something we should not put us down. Instead we should see this as opportunities to spur one another on and in a concerted effort, help one another in our pilgrims' journeys! Slowly, the fellowship will be restored and when that happens, it is even a more wonderful experience than what I have mentioned in my opening paragraphs.

I hope I am making sense here. :)

Anyway, the challenge is always for us to build each other up. Even when moments when it is not happening, we should press on with one another.

Okie, I promised my sister whom I went out with yesterday to sleep early as I am unwell. I shall be an obedient brother and heed her advice!

Good night, everyone and have a blessed week ahead!

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron's beard, down upon the collar of his robes. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore." Psalm 133

"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:1-4

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