I was hesitating in the evening whether to attend the Holy Week service at 8.00pm. The reason was just pure laziness. I had wanted to use the word, "tired," but deep down, I know it is not the main reason.
Anyway, I did not regret making the decision to go. Tonight's sermon by the guest speaker was spot-on for me.
I shared in the blog after I came back from Cambodia last month that I felt a nudge from God to serve in the mission field. Since then, I had been thinking about it but not really acting upon it. There were many things to consider - how will I be able to support my parents and grandma? Who will take care of their medical needs? What can I do in the mission field should I make up my mind to go? Am I ready to let go of my kingdom of comfort here in Singapore?
There are many other questions and at the end of the day, it brought about more confusions and fears than affirmation? Of course some would say wouldn't those questions be an affirmation that I am not ready and maybe being a missionary is not my calling. As much as there is truth in that, I also know that it could be God's way of asking me to let go and let Him take care of those worries and fears and uncertainties, etc.
The sermon based on the Bible passage of Mark 10:17-27 reminded me of the rich man who asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life and Jesus response was to sell the man's possessions and follow Him.
The rich man had a desire to follow God but it ended there and then when challenged to let go of his kingdom of comfort. Well, I am in that man's shoes at the moment.
The speaker urged those in the congregation to let go of their kingdoms of self and shelf (of the wants and desires for material wealth) and seek the Kingdom of God instead. What brought a refreshing insight to the Kingdom of God was this - it consists of people. Hence when I am able to seek after the Kingdom of God, I would also be naturally drawn to people - loving them, caring for them and providing for them.
I hope I am making sense because the above-mentioned spoke of my current search for God's calling in my life.
I need to start letting go and I think it would be a bold and fundamental step.
I like the words of this song by Delirious because it speaks of what most lives are now...
KINGDOM OF COMFORT
Chorus:
Save me, save me
from the kingdom of comfort where I am king;
from my unhealthy lust of material things.
Verse 1:
I built myself a happy home,
in my palace on my own.
My castle falling in the sand.
Pull me out, please grab my hand!
I just forgot where I came from.
Verse 2:
I rob myself of innocence
with the poison of indifference.
I buy my stuff at any cost -
a couple of clicks and I pay the price
Coz what I gain is someone else's loss.
"As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Mark 10:17-27
Anyway, I did not regret making the decision to go. Tonight's sermon by the guest speaker was spot-on for me.
I shared in the blog after I came back from Cambodia last month that I felt a nudge from God to serve in the mission field. Since then, I had been thinking about it but not really acting upon it. There were many things to consider - how will I be able to support my parents and grandma? Who will take care of their medical needs? What can I do in the mission field should I make up my mind to go? Am I ready to let go of my kingdom of comfort here in Singapore?
There are many other questions and at the end of the day, it brought about more confusions and fears than affirmation? Of course some would say wouldn't those questions be an affirmation that I am not ready and maybe being a missionary is not my calling. As much as there is truth in that, I also know that it could be God's way of asking me to let go and let Him take care of those worries and fears and uncertainties, etc.
The sermon based on the Bible passage of Mark 10:17-27 reminded me of the rich man who asked Jesus what he should do to inherit eternal life and Jesus response was to sell the man's possessions and follow Him.
The rich man had a desire to follow God but it ended there and then when challenged to let go of his kingdom of comfort. Well, I am in that man's shoes at the moment.
The speaker urged those in the congregation to let go of their kingdoms of self and shelf (of the wants and desires for material wealth) and seek the Kingdom of God instead. What brought a refreshing insight to the Kingdom of God was this - it consists of people. Hence when I am able to seek after the Kingdom of God, I would also be naturally drawn to people - loving them, caring for them and providing for them.
I hope I am making sense because the above-mentioned spoke of my current search for God's calling in my life.
I need to start letting go and I think it would be a bold and fundamental step.
I like the words of this song by Delirious because it speaks of what most lives are now...
KINGDOM OF COMFORT
Chorus:
Save me, save me
from the kingdom of comfort where I am king;
from my unhealthy lust of material things.
Verse 1:
I built myself a happy home,
in my palace on my own.
My castle falling in the sand.
Pull me out, please grab my hand!
I just forgot where I came from.
Verse 2:
I rob myself of innocence
with the poison of indifference.
I buy my stuff at any cost -
a couple of clicks and I pay the price
Coz what I gain is someone else's loss.
"As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." Mark 10:17-27
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