Time flies. Today is the 6th anniversary commemorating the day of my new birth, of my knowing our heavenly Father. So by now I have entered the seventh year of living in the Lord since the moment I was baptised on the 25th Sept, 2005. Well, I have grown a little bit more now. There were things I did wrong that I find hard to mention here. We are not to concern about our own interests, but also the interests of others. I have learnt particularly in the sixth year, and am still learning, that, to give, it is not about what I have but what God has.
The lesson I have been taught most is this: To have bold faith and yet “… demonstrate all expressions of humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another in love” [Eph 4; also Prov 3:3]; and I learnt it the hard way. Sometimes things are just so subjective to individual opinions that mutual understanding seems to be the only key to integrate differing individualities. Furthermore, worries, heated arguments and vain glory are just unnecessary. What really matters is what builds up.
In this coming one year, there is much for me to learn about Sabbath, about rest, about all its blessings. Of course, every day, month, and year is blessed, so Sabbath is established as a sign of God’s children for the world; it is not mere ritual. I wrote in my previous devotional sharing about Sabbath, and about Work, On Every Aspect Of Life and Rest, For The Soul. I have also decided to be more reserved in my writings despite going through life’s ups and downs, because it is always better to share personal stories face-to-face, so I’d just write from a general point of view.
On the one hand, I cling to the principle, in the perspective of gifts and knowledge, that our strengths must be improved through diligence; and our weaknesses, complemented through interdependence. On the other hand, in the aspect of moral and ethics, I shall quote a minister: “Stay firm in the light (i.e. in good); turn away from darkness (i.e. from evil); as for the grey, bring them to the table, make collective decisions, and be accountable.” Also, pertaining to personality, it is written, “Have the same attitude among yourselves that was also in the Messiah…” [Phil 2].
I trust what I encountered these six years in the Messiah is a preparation for the abundant blessings to be gifted soon, more so in this coming year of his favour! I am realigning myself to grow strong in four areas in this Sabbath year (and beyond): Firstly in loving people, next in career excellence, then in life-long learning, and in financial discipline as well. How will God fulfil his promises in the year of Sabbath? How will I find my fit in the community within which God has always been working? What will the signs be that reveals his unique glory? Can words describe each of them? I am yet to know, and I am excited to know!
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