3 major lessons in 3 weeks

Its been nearly a month since my last blog. So much has happened….from the dealings of God with the inner workings of my heart to the realisation of my complacency in my walk with God to my first attempt (with a gorgeous girlfriend of mine) to introduce a stranger to Jesus in the middle of a busy coffee shop. Its been exciting -- even in the painful corrections that I have been going through. Mainly due to my stubbornness. Looks like I am not the only one having a lot happening. My country just celebrated her 56th Independence day. I dare to say that we are a long (long, long, long) way from the Malaysia I dream it could be. But I believe that if the church rises up, we can be that sheep nation that the Lord has purposed us to be. Also pretty significant that on our Independence Day we had a water cut in our capital city….don’t you think? Anyways, also in the last week, Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke caused quite a  stir in the media. How easy it is for us to judge huh? Honestly, I was so disturbed (mainly cause of the influence they would have on society esp teenagers)….at the same time my heart broke for both of them. Jarrid Wilson’s open letter to Miley Cyrus was a letter that I thought spoke the heart of God. If you have not read it, click on http://jarridwilson.com/an-open-letter-to-miley-cyrus/.

Lessons during the last 3 weeks:

1) Moving out of my comfort zone

The truth is….if we are not moving out of your comfort zone to tell people about the life giving power of the cross, we are selfish! I am guilty of it too. Yes I am a worship lead, play the keyboard, lead a youth group, am a teacher advisor for my school’s Christian fellowship and write a blog. But in all that I do, I give what is convenient for me. In some twisted way, I have been giving into the Kingdom of God with the subconscious thought that God must bless me now. Like He owes me. I feel ugly on the inside for feeling that way. This is the part that God has been working with me lately. When I realised just how selfish my motives were, God began to show me the hidden agendas as He searched my heart and brought my motives to light. But here is the thing, He is helping me deal with it bit by bit cause He knows how much I can take.

As He enables me to step out of my comfort zone, I also need to draw strength from Him to do what He wants me to do. Sometimes it requires me taking a step of faith and talking to my friends about just how amazing Jesus Christ is. I pray they do not ‘unfriend’ me. But it’s a chance I have to take cause I need to let them know about Jesus and His love.

2) Watch my tongue

Being quick to judge is something that happens naturally. Sometimes we do not realise we are doing it. But when we even think it, we have sinned. Why is God’s standards so high? Cause it all starts with what is in the heart that becomes a thought. The mouth speaks what is in our heart. It all starts from the heart to the mind. I have said some harsh things which cut so deep. It is cause I keep my feeling bottled up and it lashes out when I have had enough. Sounds scary and yes, it is. I need to continuously compare myself to the standards that God has set before me. Not so that people call me a good person. I will never reach perfection but I must continue to strive towards it. All of this is a process -- with Jesus as the leader and sustainer.

3) Start something…..see it to the end.

I notice how so many times I have an idea but I do not always see it to the end. Its not a good trait to have. I recently started a project with my youths called the ‘Love Project’ and my task is to see it to the end by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Therefore it must be based on prayer and the Word. I also need to realise I am human and only take on what I feel led to take on. Not take on everything and also learn to say 'no' when its too much.

I'm enjoying this walk with Jesus. Only He can make lessons interesting even when its uncomfortable.