Today I had an opportunity to play basketball with a bunch of high school graduates who are attending 3 months short term mission school at a local theological school. I am glad to see young teenagers giving up their precious 3 months of holidays for a greater purpose and eternal investment while waiting for their public exam (SPM) results to be released. Many of them who joined the short term mission school actually came from other towns or cities. My heart is blessed as I know it’s hard to find young people who are sold out and having that burning passion for Jesus, in view of the pattern of this secular world filled with temptations and excitements. Graduated from university with most of my time invested in the student movement, I couldn’t be more convinced that the best years to give to God is when one is young, energetic, kicking strong and vibrant – teenage years & uni years. Praise God for this bunch of youngsters, may God bless and guide your step ahead!
Later on, on the same court I joined a bunch of adults for another game. Not sure about other places, but it’s on this court that someone will lead a prayer prior to the commencement of every game and often some pastors will be joining, and surely not to forget that there are non-believers participating as well. I love playing on this court because it’s the place where no harsh languages are allowed, no spitting and people play with good courtesy and attitude, as the pastor who joined today led the prayer said “Let us play with grace and joy, and may God be vivid in every facet of our lives, that we will glorify God in all that we do.”
Love the basketball board – “Glorify God” as painted. This is how we shine.
Dedicate this post to a friend who is battling through faith crisis, and perhaps many out there. I know it’s tough, and I will never fully understand what you are going through but let me speak faith into you. The turbulence that I have gone through in life might not be as huge as yours, and the storms that hit me might not be as raging as yours, but the same faith from the same source is that one thing that can sufficiently soldier us through. Trials might come, but never allow trials to rob our faith – that one thing we all need to live through every day filled with uncertainties and challenges.
You might have a hundred and one questions that you would like an answer from God, uncountable grudges and complaints buried deep down in your heart or you literally cried out day and night unto God yet He remains silent, not even a single word being whispered. You might feel that God is so distant, and what had happened seems to contradict tremendously with the just and gracious God that you grew up knowing, especially when you begin to look around and compare your situation to others, those who seem to sail on smoothly without beating through the waves of life, and good things come prospering to them without much toiling. And you question God if He is truly the Jehovah Jireh – the God who will provide, when is he going to grant you the special request you have been asking for a dinosaur years.
Let me be honest I am just like you, too many times I stood at the crossroad asking God a thousand questions, to a point I asked God what does he really mean by “God does not show favoritism.” With my partial understanding and finite knowledge, there is just too much unfairness and unjust in everything I demand an answer. For instance, I once questioned God why not everyone being born with a silver spoon in his mouth, that there will be no comparison, there will be no jealously, there will be no embarrassment, they will be no hatred. That everyone will drive the same big SUV and live in the penthouse. I once questioned God why not let everyone live healthily, that there will be no sickness, no illness, that there will be just pure happiness without a milligram of sadness. I once questioned God why I put in so much effort in certain things yet achieved so little, while others who took it lightly attained much more. Travelled to a first world country and returning to a developing country, I questioned God when is he going to uphold the justice he promised, that why the wicked and corrupted seem to enjoy the riches while the poor remain poor, being violated in their every right and punished for what they don’t deserve. And a very personal experience, something I thought I have secured and given yet it was taken away during the most intense and crucial period of my uni life, messing up my initial plan and left stunned, shipwrecked. Till today, too many whys I asked. Too many tantrums I have thrown. Sometimes I walked away unsatisfied with God. But despite all that, when I truly looked back and pondered, I would like to quote what Mark Altrogge once said, which I fully concurred, that when I became a Christian, I signed on for an adventure of trust. Like getting on a roller coaster without seeing all the drops, dives, twists and turns ahead. I signed on with no idea of the blessings I’ll receive, afflictions I will endure, fruit I will bear, friends I will make, enemies I will face, places I will go, ways I will change. No idea of how God will humble or lift me up. Not knowing details in advance. Not knowing, not knowing, not knowing. All I have is the Scripture, everything that being said. The whole chapter of faith in Hebrews 11, what the ancients were commended for, like Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. It is said that many were commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, since God has planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect (Hebrews 11:39). Is your encounter the worst ever? There’s always someone else, the least to say, Job in the Bible.
Sink or fight. Sink into self-pity, sadness or turmoil or fight to hope in God. Tell ourselves that we will again praise God, that the story isn’t over yet. Keep up the devotion. Keep reading the word and repent on our unbelief. Romans 10:17 says, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” We dwindle in faith when we neglect God’s Word. Rehearse God’s promises. Recall God’s past faithfulness in our lives. Get back into fellowship, encourage and build up one another. Surely, it’s hard to praise God in tough times. But, tough praise is still praise – to the one worthy to be praised despite the changing seasons in life, for he deserves it all.
We don’t know how Jesus will get us through storms, but we know he will. We don’t know how he’ll provide, but we know he’s the one who can multiply loaves and fishes. I’d have fainted if I’d known the many onion-layers of sin God would peel back and change. If I’d known in advance all Jesus would take me through I might not have signed up. This is why Jesus doesn’t give us the details but says, “Trust me.” ~Mark Altrogge.
So my friend, don’t lose faith. Have faith in the unseen. Whatever you are going through, remember that our Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:18). For me, I have learnt the art of losing myself in his unfailing love, unchanging truth and unwavering faithfulness. I am convicted that, for now I see only a reflection as in a mirror; then I shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully (1 Cor 13:12). Remember, every cloud has a silver lining. God will bring you through for He loves us. I am praying for you. I never know, may be one day I need your prayer, and speak this to myself.
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