Recently, I stumbled upon an article called "Soul Train" by Mindy Caliguire, from the Leadership journal, Spring 2007. It is a good reminder article about our focus in this whole Christianity walk. It talks about our soul strength, which is our inner life, inner man, and that God is the only one that can build this inner life, inner man within you, and speed - of which the speed of getting involved and committed into ministry life, and the works and tasks involved. It brought up a really important point, which caused me to stop and paused to think...........where am I today?
This important point is that if our soul strength (inner life, inner man) is left unchecked after a period of time, can cause us to fall into a mode of just doing ministry, rather than having a life in ministry. Our soul strength could be left unchecked when we are in the busyness of doing and serving in ministry, and we forget that it is God we need to focus on, not our ministry. Ministry is on a side dish, and God is the main dish. Our relationship with God needs to be the foundation of our service in ministry. This has led me to remember a long time ago, when I was serving to a point of almost burn out, God challenged me and asked me who or what am I serving, God or ministry? And once again, as I read this, I have to re-checked my heart once again, is it God or is it ministry?
Our soul strength is not dependent on how much we can do, or how fast we can complete it. Our soul strength depends on how much time we spend to get to know God. It said in the article, that our speed line (that of ministry) is defined by our soul line (our soul strength). In other words, how far and fast we go in ministry is determined by our relationship with God, how much we are receiving and getting from God. The deeper our relationship and trust is in God, the further and more intense, we will be able to last through in ministry. It is a strategic decision that we need to make, whether to care for our soul (grow in a nurturing relationship with God), for long term effectiveness, or ignoring our soul and risking burnout and frustrations.
Mindy Caliguire puts it very well "Learning to let the health of our soul determine the speed of our ministry is what it means to run the race with endurance."
I am challenged that in this new year of 2008, I am determined to grow in a stronger health for my soul, to nourish and develop it with the Word of God, so that I will be able to find the strength and grace of God to endure the trials of ministry, all the way, to the end. Like how 1 Peter 1:24-25 puts it "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever." I want to build a soul that is everlasting in God, and God's word that never fades away will help one to endure to the end. Hope you can join me in this as well.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Miracle of Life
Ever thought where did life come from, or even how precious, yet fragile life could be?
As a child, I remember, I always wondered how did life come about, as in how amazing a human body can be created with such intricacies. And how did the person who created human knew that the body has to developed in such and such a way. Of course then, I never heard or knew God, and never was I ever able to imagine that the human could be formed with such perfection. And as I write this, I know very well that God has just created us, and He even knows every single hair that we have on our body.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:30-31
That's just very much where life come from, and the very fact that God has created us makes it clear that we belong to God, the creator of life. As He gives, He can take it away as well, of course not in a bad way, but just as how Enoch walked with God, and He walked no more. And I believe in recent events in life it has caused me to continue to ponder upon life, and how urgent it is for us to continue to do the work of God until Christ returns. Despite being a phlegmatic, I am not just wanting to wait till something happens before I respond, but I want to be ready, and prepared when whatever happens, happens. One thing that really struck me
is when our brother Zion, out of his generous and brave heart, lost his life to save another person. And hearing the testimonies of his parents and friends around, made me realise that it is so important to make sure that every person, every life that we are in contact with, it may be that one and only time, that we should try to make a Godly impact and influence upon them that they may remember it. Because you do not know how God can use us in those times to draw people one step closer to Him.
Life is such a miracle and gift from God, and yet at the same time, with it being so fragile, that we should never hold on too tight to it, because there is a greater eternal life that God has promised us. And as well, with it being so precious, we should never waste it away doing things that will not draw us closer to God. And further, to realise that because it is so fragile, let's make every effort that we can to bring the good news of eternal life to others out there that do not know it yet. My prayer to God is that "God, help me to grow in you, and draw closer to you daily, and as that is my desire, may you help me to see deeper into your heart, that I may grow in a greater desire to want to bring your eternal life unto others as well." It is not enough to just be a good testimony, we need to bring the truth, we need to bring God's love even more.
As a child, I remember, I always wondered how did life come about, as in how amazing a human body can be created with such intricacies. And how did the person who created human knew that the body has to developed in such and such a way. Of course then, I never heard or knew God, and never was I ever able to imagine that the human could be formed with such perfection. And as I write this, I know very well that God has just created us, and He even knows every single hair that we have on our body.
"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." Psalm 139:13-14
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. Matthew 10:30-31
That's just very much where life come from, and the very fact that God has created us makes it clear that we belong to God, the creator of life. As He gives, He can take it away as well, of course not in a bad way, but just as how Enoch walked with God, and He walked no more. And I believe in recent events in life it has caused me to continue to ponder upon life, and how urgent it is for us to continue to do the work of God until Christ returns. Despite being a phlegmatic, I am not just wanting to wait till something happens before I respond, but I want to be ready, and prepared when whatever happens, happens. One thing that really struck me
is when our brother Zion, out of his generous and brave heart, lost his life to save another person. And hearing the testimonies of his parents and friends around, made me realise that it is so important to make sure that every person, every life that we are in contact with, it may be that one and only time, that we should try to make a Godly impact and influence upon them that they may remember it. Because you do not know how God can use us in those times to draw people one step closer to Him.
Life is such a miracle and gift from God, and yet at the same time, with it being so fragile, that we should never hold on too tight to it, because there is a greater eternal life that God has promised us. And as well, with it being so precious, we should never waste it away doing things that will not draw us closer to God. And further, to realise that because it is so fragile, let's make every effort that we can to bring the good news of eternal life to others out there that do not know it yet. My prayer to God is that "God, help me to grow in you, and draw closer to you daily, and as that is my desire, may you help me to see deeper into your heart, that I may grow in a greater desire to want to bring your eternal life unto others as well." It is not enough to just be a good testimony, we need to bring the truth, we need to bring God's love even more.
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