So many events have zoomed by since the beginning of the year. The biggest event had to be the Chinese New Year celebrations which I spent both in Kota Bharu and then back in Penang. However, this entry is not gonna concern that because nobody wants to see pictures of me tossing ‘yee sang’ and giving ‘ang pows’ since the CNY mood has definitely fizzed out already. Besides that, the economy is stuttering and surely all the money we gave out or received could not possibly have lasted till April. 🙂
Sungai Ara Gospel Hall, the little assembly that I fellowship in celebrated its 10th Anniversary by having short retreat up in Batu Ferringhi from the 7th to the 9th of March. It was not held at a swanky hotel or a beach resort but at our trusty Christian Convention Centre (CCC) that sits proudly beside ‘The Ship’ restaurant in all its dilapidated glory.
My little family came along but we were made to be separated due to the dormitory setting of this camp site. Little Jojo followed Laura to stay with the ladies at the upper floor, while I got to ‘male bond’ with the younger ones and also bunk alongside Bing Hwang for the first time at the ground floor dorm. The stay really brought back memories of my Bible Camp days when I was in my secondary school days. Although the dorm was at 30% occupancy, since the ‘older uncles’ chose to take another dorm, it was great to relive my youth. The smell of the musky mattress, the creaking sound of the beds, the sandy floors, the loud chatter and the late night chats that always lasted way past ‘lights out’ into the wee hours of the morning. Thankfully we got the ‘younger’ dorm because you could only start to imagine the horror of sleeping with the choir of snores in the ‘older’ room or being chastened to keep the volume down. HEHE!! Nice.
We had the privilege of having Mr Lian give us 3 challenging sermons on the topic of ‘Grace’ in view of God’s sustaining grace that had led us to this milestone of our existence in Penang. What started out as a small work with only Sunday School meetings progressed to the formation of a testimony of believers regularly Breaking Bread together and worshipping the Lord. Today, we have a regular weekly Lord’s Supper, prayer meeting, a Sunday School children’s work, a Youth Work, bible studies and many other supporting meetings for the purpose of ministry.
I was scheduled to speak on that Sunday morning on Genesis (Chapter 8 ) on the account of ‘Noah and The Flood‘. It was quite an interesting experience standing behind the pulpit to preach instead of sitting down as a teenager at camp, after 10 over years. However, the thoughts I have in my head now are fruition of the challenge from the camp speaker on understanding our roles in our service for the Lord and not on my sermon notes.
How often times do we do things with motives that are totally self seeking and plainly selfish. Regrettably, many of us look to others for approval, seek men’s praise and even try to elevate ourselves above others in our work and even in our supposed service for the Lord.
In the book of Mark, Jesus had this to say to His disciples who were trying to secure positions of power in His future glory.
Mark 10:42-45
(v.42) But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. (v.43) But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: (v.44) And whosoever of you will be the chiefest shall be servant of all. (v.45) For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
The Lord taught them a special lesson that day, that to become someone great or honored, one should first become a servant and minister to others. This completely transcends the popular philosophy of worldly thinking that sets ‘self actualization‘ with great such importance, capturing man’s imagination with their hierarchy of needs. Sadly, garnering personal glory and achievements is today’s tonic for self-worth.
The Lord Jesus humbled Himself by taking the form of man to save mankind from their greatest problem…sin. Nobody else could shoulder that task except Him alone when He died on the cross for our sins. He however left behind a work for His followers to carry on, the ministry of helping reconcile men back unto God, through the preaching of the Gospel of Christ. He came to serve then but now lives in glory in heaven with the Father.
I’m reminded of the fact that it’s every servant’s duty to obey the master and be ready to serve regardless of our discomfort or seemingly lack of appreciation. Who are we to demand from God for greater recognition in our work or in our service for Him? We should come to a realization that to serve God is our greatest privilege. Whatever we do will never add value to Him but should be directed to bringing glory to His name. It is my prayer that we never lose sight of that ultimate purpose. May we continue to seek to ‘decrease’ while we allow Him to ‘increase’ in our lives!!
Let’s run with humility!
I leave behind some photos of memories of our time at camp.
80% of our assembly members
Every celebration needs a cake!!
Happy!!
The Young + Younger People
Jojo plays frisbee
Handsome little fella
Run! Alan! Run! 