Thursday, July 28, 2011

I am ruined for God!

Over the past few weeks since my last post, I've been "worried" about something. Mainly about answering the question: where to next? (after Bible College) I've been trying to avoid the question but every time it crosses my mind I just shriek at it deep down inside me. I haven't understood why until this week.

A few things happened this week which have made me understand how to approach and answer the above question.

1. On Tuesday my Principal shared about her experience in going about God's calling on her life. She shared about how she prayed for one day having 'the nations' and how at that time she didn't know where God was going to take her, or how that was going to happen. But now years later she is 'living the dream' of those nations.
Now this struck a cord with me with my own personal God-given vision and dream. The dream of being an ambassador for Indonesia, it's church and children. But as my Principal was sharing her life experience God was answering my concern or doubt in regards to it. God is saying that I am the God who is able to do all things. I did it for her I am able to do it for you too, as long as I choose to be faithful in shepherding that vision and dream.

2. In my Pastoral Leadership class today my teacher shared about the Pastoral Leadership call. He delved into 'how do we know if we are called into this leadership?' among many other things that were very insightful and helpful. But one thing that stuck with me was when my teacher shared about his journey into how he got to where he is today. This story struck me because that was and is similar to my story and journey. (Recap: year 10 careers test signified that religious leader was my career path. Being encouraged that one day I would preach.) And as all this resonated in my heart, the teacher gave out stickers that had 'Pastor' written on it. Just like the ones stuck on front row seats that were reserved for Pastors in church services. This really just sealed what I knew God wanted me to be and do. And this was definitely the clarity and direction I was looking for amongst my worry and concern over the weeks. My focus is now shifted from no longer on the small details of things that used to worry me to now knowing the greater picture - Indonesia and the children in my heart.

3. To top all these "occurrences" today in my 2nd part of classes, which was about kids ministry, as the teacher was talking and I was fully engaged with the content, God spoke specifically into my ear, which pierced right into my heart and pictoralised in my mind. He said "The children you teach today will be the adults you preach to one day". And immediately the vision I saw was of my sunday school kids 10 years from now and me preaching to them! That has now not only changed me but transformed me!

So I guess in ending this post, I'd like to encourage all of us who may be in a state of worry or concern as to where life is headed, look to God and His Word. Really. He will never fail to communicate to us in one or another where we are headed. And surround yourself with His Word and His people. He will speak through them to reveal to you what your have been searching.

I pray in your searching you will find Him!

Saturday, July 02, 2011

Dreaming the Dream.

A few weeks ago I had a dream. I'm not a usual night dreamer (if that even exists) so I really paid attention to this dream. What's the dream?

The dream midway through. I was at home and in the middle of packing, packing whatever I could get my hands on and packing them in a suitcase. I remember I was in my room with my mum and sister. They were helping me get my stuff together. It was all a rush. All I could remember was asking my mum "why do I have to be in a rush mum? Why is this all of a sudden? I don't like to be rushed. I like plans and this was not planned." And my mum just said "just go with it. Eerything will be fine." 

Deep down I knew I was packing to go to Indonesia. And my dad was waiting downdtairs of our apartment ready to take me to the airport.

I gathered all my stuff, passport in hand but no ticket! My mum said I'll purchase over the counter at the airport.

My sister and mum took me to the airport and my dad just dropped us off. My dad wished me well and my num and sister helped check me in. Throughout all this I was sort of in a daze. Not 100% sure of what was going on.

I checked in and did all that and in a fuze of all of it, I asked God what was happening. He of course didn't answer. He made me reflect on the events of everything. I observed that my parents weren't going and neither was my sister. I was only going away for less than 1 week. And to Indonesia. It was then after realising all this that I knew that I was going to Indonesia for ministry. What sort of ministry, I wasn't sure. 

All I knew was that this dream was the dream God had planted in my heart a few years ago about my ministry with and in Indonesia. 

I guess God was reminding me of where God wants to take me and to not lose sight of that. That Indonesia is what God wants to use me for and all I am right now is preparation for it.