Oasis

So, yeah. Here I am at the library again… a place of rest from the noise outside.

Last night, I realized so many, many things. People act the way they do because there are reasons that make them that way. As a leader, I am told to be sensitive and kind to people, especially to the people that I lead. Dealing with people that act differently–some of them very difficult–has always been a challenge. I tend to be shallow and insensitive and prone to blaming others for their mistakes. But last night… last night, it changed.

One of my cell group members messaged me that she is not okay. And she later on told me about her situation. Her dad doesn’t want her to stay in their home anymore, and was telling her to go to her mom. They are a broken family so she doesn’t know where to find her. He was telling her things that are really painful for a child to hear. I imagined myself in her situation and it’s not easy… especially when words like “you’re worthless” comes from the mouth of your dad. I told her that is not true. Our worth is not lessened just because of other people’s inability to see it. It’s God who only sees.

Later on, I finally called her after praying, and a choking voice answered the call. She told me that God is still good, because her auntie was used by God to provide her a place to stay. I was relieved, disturbed, and guilty–all at the same time. Relieved because the situation is getting better. Disturbed because I was worried about its possible effects on her. Guilty because I finally understood why she is being difficult. She has issues, bogged down by many problems in their family at a very young age… and it’s not just right that I chastise her when she goes to church and add to her frustrations. The church–her spiritual family is supposed to be her place of comfort, and rest from their home. Just like this library, an oasis on a desert.

I know that there are still a lot of things I don’t know about these children of God (and about leadership), but I am trusting God that He will help me lead. The Holy Spirit is the real Leader, and I’m just His follower. He is the Senior, and I’m just a junior. He is the Boss, and I’m His servant.

Two Ears, One Mouth

A text message I received recently said, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak”.

These past few weeks, what God has been dealing with me is about listening. I see posts about it on Facebook and WordPress, spotted it on a book title on a bookstore… and many other places and circumstances where I find myself remembering that word, “Listen”.

It’s not just… no, it’s God, dealing some things with me. And I know that at times, I have some serious listening issues.

Or maybe I talk too much.

James 1:19 says, Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

As I read these words, this is the first thing that I feel: GUILT.

I can’t change myself, only God can. I want to practice being a good and a sincere listener. As a leader, I have to, since leadership is more of  a listening act, than of talking. I think the first step into achieving this is to stop talking too much. How would my ears work to its full efforts, if my mouth is working? After all, the Word of God says, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.” (Proverbs 10:19)

Listening is a selfless act. When we talk, our motives might be stained by our own selfish human desires–to impress those who are listening, to love it when people respond with such an enthusiasm, to receive compliments about how good we are. It could just easily go wrong when we are talking.

But when we listen, no matter how we feel towards the speaker, when we give him our ears selflessly, and even give him our time to listen, I think that is enough to show them our love. After all, love is not a feeling, it is a choice, it is a decision.

What Society Didn’t Tell

“Society kills the teenager”.

I do not know who said those words, but young people seem to understand it very clearly. And maybe, just maybe, those words are true. That society is a killer, because I was once a victim.

Society quotes that “high school is the best part of a person’s life”. Society says that in high school, you will experience countless wonderful things. Society instructs me to treasure every moment of those four years, by doing everything I like to do, making everything of my youth.

Yes, that is what people say—but now that I’m older, I realized what society didn’t say: In high school, you’re going to be a stranger. You have to wear a mask in which you are called in a different name, because under your real name, you will be rejected.

I am sure everyone experienced it. That invisible force that pushes you to do what you shouldn’t be doing in order to fit in to a group. You’re not really that kind of person, but you began wanting to be one just because all of them are. You know that feeling? I felt those, too. You’re slowly and unconsciously turning into a stranger.

I was a victim. I became a different person. I was a product of the society. I was stranger in my own body. I was so not myself.

But here’s the thing: I was lost, but now I’m found.

I became my true self when I knew Who is my Creator. He told me who I am.

Let me put it this way. When you buy a new appliance, how do you know its name and what is its purpose? For example, a rice cooker. How did you know it’s called a “rice cooker” and how it’s used? Did you ask it? No, only the inventor will be able to tell you what is it. And you will know how to use it by reading the manual. It’s the same for us people, we don’t know who we are. And we, too, have a manual. And with that manual made by the Inventor, I knew my purpose. It showed me the way how to be the real me.

That manual is the Bible. And God is the Inventor.

In high school, society killed my true personality. But during high school too, I was born into a new identity. I am a stranger-no-more.

Faith = Hope + Action

Faith without action is dead, Apostle James says so.

It’s not okay to say that you have faith, and then sit around while waiting for what you desire to happen. True faith is manifested through actions… unless it is not faith at all. Action is the completion of faith, and hope is it’s first substance.

Imagine faith as a milktea. You can’t call it a “milktea” if it doesn’t contain milk and tea. Just as you can’t call faith, “faith” without hope and action. Those two are useless without the other. Like, socks. It makes no sense at all if you have one of them, you still have to find the other in order for it to be useful. One sock can be used, yes, but what for? Two socks are so much better.

Today don’t just hope. Take an action! Act like you received it already. Because you have.

You’re done getting on your knees to pray? Then get on your feet and work.

Re: A Letter From a “Kidult”

Kidult (ˈkɪdʌlt) n. A person in transition between childhood and adulthood; an adult that acts more like a kid; in Taiwan they are called the cao mei zu (Strawberry Generation)—they look good on the outside, but are easily bruised.

Hello friends!  I am a kidult. I heard that people call my generation the “kidults,” because we really look good on our outside appearances, but when it comes to challenges, we appear to be “weaklings”.

Okay, society. Honestly, I do not like the fact that we are called that way, but thanks for telling us we’re beautiful people though. 🙂 Apostle Paul said that we should not let anyone think less of us because we are young but instead we should be an example to all believers in what we say, in the way we live, in our love, faith, and our purity (1 Timothy 4:12). I believe that this generation is not what you think it is. In fact, I remember one of our pastors calling this generation the Joshua Generation, where young people are anointed as true leaders that will bring God’s people to the Promise Land. From what I see, more and more young people today (and  still counting) are getting involved to the greatest purpose of humanity and I know that God is using our leaders to mold us into leaders that will not just lead people, but will also produce more leaders, mimicking the act of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I like this song of Chris Tomlin,

We are the chosen generation
Rise  up holy nation
God we live for You

Our generation has been chosen by God! Isn’t that amazing? Shouldn’t you be proud of us, society? I am so excited about God’s plans for us, for all of us. I wish you are, too. We have better future when we are in God, you know. So society, please. Instead of judging us, why don’t you just help in molding us into better leaders by taking the advice of Apostle Paul. I think everyone should follow that instruction regardless of their age. Together, let’s influence others in love, faith, and hope. Let us help each other get closer to God.

Sincerely,
me
Reppin’ the Kidult Gen

Similar resources: http://www.ourdailyjourney.org/2013/08/02/not-being-a-kidult/

YMI Blogging

I blog not to impress, but to express.

You probably have seen that tagline on several blogs today, and I would have said the same thing in answer to the title of this article. But that’s cliché, and does not fit the motives on why  this blog is created.

I am blogging not to impress, not to express, but to bring glory to the God I serve. I am not good in writing, but I believe that when I am writing for His glory, He gives me what I need–ideas, topics, anything–to write a good article that would benefit His kingdom. It might be meaningless to other people, but I know that this thing that I’m doing does not count as a vanity to God. This is an eternal thing.

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31

This blog is bounded by the “1Cor10:31 Rule”. Everything written here glorifies Him. Why? Because it’s all about Him, not you and me, it’s Him.