My journey...

I was in class the other day and we talking about God's blessings. And sometimes as Christians we seem to be worse off than the non-christians in wealth and materials. How then can we talk about blessings?

I think we need to firstly put away our world view of what blessings are. To the world, Blessings are things which are good. Riches, wealth, power, happiness. The Kingdom of God is always the opposite and perhaps in God's eyes, things which we may consider "Bad" are blessings. For examples, trials that we are going through or temptations. Things that help us to grow and mold our hearts.

Job was going through a lot of Calamities but to God, it was an opportunity to mold Job. It was a blessing in the end. In God's eyes, the important thing is a man's heart. Not his wealth. Not even how much power he has or how well known you are.

A butterfly has to squeeze out of its cocoon to push fluids out to its wings so that it can fly. If you remove that pressure, the butterfly will not be able to fly. It will have an easy journey out into the world but it will be useless. The difficult push out of the cocoon is a blessing to the butterfly.

That is why Romans 5:3-5 says "... also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."

Perhaps this is the reason why we blame God that we cannot see His blessings. Because our idea of blessings is different from His? Our blessings comes when we walk closely to Him. When we learn to do His will and when we learn to walk with Him. When our hearts are shaped and molded to be more like His. Perhaps to the extent of participating in His suffering. Then we store up for ourselves treasures which are in heaven.

We found our Dog unable to get up one day and we suspect that he had a mild stroke. One of his hind leg was not working. He could not stand up on his own and needed us to pull him up to be able to stand. He looked really sick and we were going to put him down. We cannot be helping him stand up all the time and to watch him suffer.

My care group prayed for him and the very next day, there was a very dark thunder storm. Apparently there was hail stones in my area. The loudness of the thunder and the change in weather must have caused Mega to force himself up and since then, he was able to stand up himself. He is getting better now. He is able to even climb stairs on his own. God was so quick to answer our prayers. Mega is such a gift from God. His life is such a miracle. This is the second time that he is so sick. The last time, the Vet wanted us to put him down but thanks to my dad who wanted to wait, Mega was cured. Now this is the second time.

Although I know that he will not live much longer, Mega the dog has encouraged me. To help me see that there is hope though situation seems bleak. Mega I love you.

I saw the facebook photo idea where they commit themselves to take a picture a day. I was thinking about what a brilliant idea. A picture speaks more than a thousand words and to be conscious about God in my midst, I can take a picture a day which I sense God is there working in my life. Sometimes we can just go through the whole day without realizing His presence. I love taking pictures and if I consciously do something I love, then I consciously seek for God in my daily routine.

I thought it was a brilliant idea but I did not have a good camera phone that I can take around with me or a small enough camera. So I brushed the idea aside. I shared it with my care group members. They suggested I change my phone but I had no reason to. It is still working perfectly fine. Then the very next day, my phone died. Literally. I had to go get a new phone. I went to the shop and the first phone that captured my attention was the Nokia 7230 simply because it is a slide phone (which is my personal preference) and also because of its 3.2 mega pixel camera.

I shall be attempting to take a picture a day. Some of which I shall even blog about. Having started for a few weeks now, I realised that somethings you cannot really capture. with the camera. How can you capture certain things which God is working in our hearts? Take a picture of my heart? But my "project" has caused me to be more aware of God being active in my daily life. It has caused me to look out for little "sign posts" along my life's journey.

My alarm rang at 5am and it was so difficult to get out of bed. Not to mention the fact that it was raining and we were going to be meeting at the park. Surely we will be drenched and in my mind was all sorts of excuses why I should not go. But I got out of bed. and got ready and drove myself to the park. It was drizzling but not too bad. People started to gather. Some were very sleepy. Some were excited. Some just came to participate.

The sermon ended and then started our celebration. Our "Family" celebration. People brought out their breakfast to be shared with all. It was a feast. There is something about food that binds people. Binds the hearts of people.

We ended the day with family games and we all enjoyed ourselves. I was glad that I went. I would have missed a glimpse about the true meaning of "church" where the people came together to share what they had. Where there is such a sense of family warmth. Embracing one another and having fun together just hanging out with each other and with our Lord.

In the midst of the day, there was a lovely rainbow. A sign of God's promise that He will fulfill his covenant with us. This is God's church and He will fulfill his covenant with His church. His will for the church will be established as long as the people seek after Him with a pureness of heart and desire. We are not perfect but our God looks at the heart. Those who seek Him will find Him.

One thing which my church has gone through is hardship together and we have stuck through thick and thin. Of course we have our differences in opinion but one thing in common which we have is that we love God and we love the people. The rainbow reminds me that God is ultimately in control. He is a covenant keeping God.