Training to be soldiers, fight for our land.
Once in our life, 2 years of time.
Have you ever wondered, why must we serve?
Many NSF will recall this song fondly, though not all pleasantly :) Some will even be asking themselves this question throughout their NSF life. Why must we serve? Why must we waste 2 years of our lives in an organisation that we don't know (some don't even fully support or agree to), doing things which we didn't want, or worse still, wasting our talents away (I have seen so many with great potential, but simply placed in the wrong voccation and thus wasted away). We are all forced into conscription, mostly against our will and plans.
I found myself answering this qns, for myself and my medics through my term as MOIC.
Col 3:23 - 24
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
We certainly don't serve the organisation. Being in this organisation for a while, I have come to realise just how much injustice and unfairness there is in the system. The hardworking are rewarded with more work/responsibilities (and with it all the consequences), while the lazy are rewarded with more free time. Furthermore, the regulars (ie those hired by the organisation) seem to comfortably settle in their roles to utilize and optimize their free labour (ie the conscripted NSFs)...and the system allows/promotes such behaviour!
So why do we serve?
Cos we love our land...
Indeed, it is for love that we serve, love for our nation, love for our family, love for our friends. I find myself going to camp everyday, doing more than what I am expected because of the people that God has placed before me. I want to be a testimony for Him before my medics, I want to be a blessing to them even where it may be difficult. I want them to have a memorable NS life, to learn and gain something out of these 2 years and not just waste their precious time away. My medical centre became my mission field, a harvest field where God has placed me.
Looking back, I am just so amazed and thankful how God has led me through my tour as MOIC. He has blessed me with a wonderful team of medics, He has given me so many opportunities to reach out to them and bless them, to stand between the gap of the living (my guys, the patients that I served) and the dead (the rotten organisation). Through this experience, I have also gained and learnt much...and pretty blessed as well.
Father, thank you for a very fulfilling and memorable NS life. Thank you for Your every blessing and guidance. I pray that I have been a good testimony for you, and inspired/encouraged/developed my medics in the way you have desired. I pray that you would continue to look after all my medics and help them grow to know you more. May they find joy and fulfillment in their lives, to be a blessing to others. Above all, may they came to accept you as their personal saviour, to receive all the blessings you have prepared for them. Amen!
Monday, July 15, 2013
Be a light that shines in the darkness
Just woke up from a rare birthday afternoon nap after a very vivid and real dream. Can't remember the details of the dream, but I last recalled praying in my dream. The message from the dream was loud and clear : Be a light that shines in the darkness.
...and I woke up with a smile, and prayed.
Call it a vision from God or 日有所思，夜有所梦. How rare it is for me to have afternoon naps, and how special it is that today is my birthday. I am certain this a is definitely a special birthday message from God, a reminder, a calling, an encouragement, a direction..."Be a light for me, to shine in the darkness".
Indeed, since I returned to work, this thought of being a visible and living testimony of Christ has been going through my mind. Maybe it is cos I'm very self conscious, maybe it is cos of my shocking bright neon pink crocs, maybe it is cos of some self-assurance...but whatever it is, I have been brought through many situations that made me pause and think about how I am testifying God's love before others.
Matthew 5: 14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Christ Himself was the True Light (John 1) and He came into our world of darkness to brighten up our world. He came that we may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10). and likewise, He calls us to be children of light (John 12, Eph 5:8, Phi 2:15, 1The 5:5, 1Peter 2:9). We are to be a testimony of His love, to reflect His light in the darkness, to point the direction to Him and bring warmth to this cold dark world.
2 Corinthians 4: 1 - 6
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
As this special message sinks in and makes its way through my heart and mind, I can feel that sense of warmth of assurance. God has blessed me with many friends, a strength in communication, a passion to share and many opportunities to reach out to others. I find joy in being amongst people, in interacting and sharing experiences. Some times I feel a sense of being self-confident in this aspect, but this message comes as an assurance, that these are God given gifts...
But to whom more is given, more shall be asked. And certainly, God is calling me to serve and worship Him with these gifts. I am reminded to be humble and remember that these gifts are from Him, and to always seek His Will to how I can worship and serve Him with them. Fear sets in as I tremble at the responsibilities that lie ahead, and the possible expectations God has of me. But I am reminded that our Lord will give us strength to do the work He has called us to do and will personally to see to its completion .
Father Lord, thank you for blessing me all these 27 years of my life. Thank you for giving me life, and filling my life with Your light. Thank you for choosing me and revealling Yourself to me, that I may believe in You and walk in Your light. Thank you for my family, friends and my beloved wife whom you have graciously blessed to guide and inspire me through these 27 years. I pray that you would continue to bless them with health and joy in their lives, and also strengthen our relationships.
Thank you for this very special birthday message, which comes at a crossroad of my life. Thank you for this direction You have given. Father, I fear that I will not be capable or effective to fulfill Your Will and above all, that my heart will wonder away from this calling...or worst still, to use these talents for my own selfish gains. Father, pls keep my heart and let it not wonder away from You. May the Spirit reign over me and keep me close to You. Open my eyes to be sensitive to every opportunity to shine for you and grant me the courage and wisdom to shine BOLDLY for you in every chance I have. Father, I commit myself and my family into Your hands. Amen.
...and I woke up with a smile, and prayed.
Call it a vision from God or 日有所思，夜有所梦. How rare it is for me to have afternoon naps, and how special it is that today is my birthday. I am certain this a is definitely a special birthday message from God, a reminder, a calling, an encouragement, a direction..."Be a light for me, to shine in the darkness".
Indeed, since I returned to work, this thought of being a visible and living testimony of Christ has been going through my mind. Maybe it is cos I'm very self conscious, maybe it is cos of my shocking bright neon pink crocs, maybe it is cos of some self-assurance...but whatever it is, I have been brought through many situations that made me pause and think about how I am testifying God's love before others.
Matthew 5: 14-16
14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Christ Himself was the True Light (John 1) and He came into our world of darkness to brighten up our world. He came that we may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10). and likewise, He calls us to be children of light (John 12, Eph 5:8, Phi 2:15, 1The 5:5, 1Peter 2:9). We are to be a testimony of His love, to reflect His light in the darkness, to point the direction to Him and bring warmth to this cold dark world.
2 Corinthians 4: 1 - 6
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
As this special message sinks in and makes its way through my heart and mind, I can feel that sense of warmth of assurance. God has blessed me with many friends, a strength in communication, a passion to share and many opportunities to reach out to others. I find joy in being amongst people, in interacting and sharing experiences. Some times I feel a sense of being self-confident in this aspect, but this message comes as an assurance, that these are God given gifts...
But to whom more is given, more shall be asked. And certainly, God is calling me to serve and worship Him with these gifts. I am reminded to be humble and remember that these gifts are from Him, and to always seek His Will to how I can worship and serve Him with them. Fear sets in as I tremble at the responsibilities that lie ahead, and the possible expectations God has of me. But I am reminded that our Lord will give us strength to do the work He has called us to do and will personally to see to its completion .
Father Lord, thank you for blessing me all these 27 years of my life. Thank you for giving me life, and filling my life with Your light. Thank you for choosing me and revealling Yourself to me, that I may believe in You and walk in Your light. Thank you for my family, friends and my beloved wife whom you have graciously blessed to guide and inspire me through these 27 years. I pray that you would continue to bless them with health and joy in their lives, and also strengthen our relationships.
Thank you for this very special birthday message, which comes at a crossroad of my life. Thank you for this direction You have given. Father, I fear that I will not be capable or effective to fulfill Your Will and above all, that my heart will wonder away from this calling...or worst still, to use these talents for my own selfish gains. Father, pls keep my heart and let it not wonder away from You. May the Spirit reign over me and keep me close to You. Open my eyes to be sensitive to every opportunity to shine for you and grant me the courage and wisdom to shine BOLDLY for you in every chance I have. Father, I commit myself and my family into Your hands. Amen.
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