As much as I enjoyed having a good discussion with my brothers and sisters in Christ about topic which seems to be interesting – like BGR… there are times when I’m just finding all those things a bit too much…

Too much not because I think they are out of lines, or because it is something I’m not comfortable talking about or anything like that… I’m just finding it all a bit too much because there is more to life than that…

I’m not saying BGR etc isn’t an important topic to talk about. I think it’s good to talk about how God’s Word should shape all aspects of our lives, BGR included. But yeah, I guess… I just have other things that is filling up my heart and my mind at the moment… things which makes hypothetical discussions – seem trivial…

If my memory doesn’t fail me, I think Josh once shared with us that on the night before his wedding, he prayed and asked God that Jesus would not return that night or that he won’t die that night. Just because he wanted to be married to Karen that much.

Honestly, I couldn’t relate to what he said at that time. Because up until this morning, I’d never been bothered by the possibility of Jesus returning or me being “called home” any time.

I guess, that’s not exactly true… I do feel the tension of wanting Jesus to come back now – and yet also wanting Him to wait for a bit. Just because I still have so many people who still have not acknowledged Him as Lord and Saviour yet.

But I am never bothered by the possibility of being called home any time He wants to call me home. I have nothing that would hold me back in this world. So I always feel ready to go home.

And yet, this morning, when my bus driver drove carelessly, I remember vaguely that I prayed and asked God to NOT be taken away from this world before this Thursday. At least Wednesday night after I had a chance to do what I need to do…

I have promised something to someone for Thursday, and I want to be able to keep my promise…

I know God can look after His people, and that He doesn’t have to use me. But the way He has created me has enabled me to feel for them. And I choose to be there for them in this way. And I am thankful for the privilege to serve them this way…

If I can ask of God, I don’t want to die before Thursday. At least not before Wednesday night when I’ve done what I need to do. Jesus can still return before then, as His return would set everything right anyway – and so my help would no longer be needed. But I don’t want to be called home when the people I gave my promise to will still be here.

I think, ever since I’ve become a Christian, this is the first time that I really feel the tension that Paul presented in his letter to the Philippians… How he prefers to die and be with Christ, but that he can see the value of his life for those he served.

I don’t want to be called home before Thursday. There is a family I’ve promised help. It might not be much at all. But I want to be there for them.

Maybe it’s just my circle of friends… or maybe it’s the number of people suffering and the depth of their sufferings that I’ve come to learnt over the past year… But really, when I see them and their lives, and when I think of them… I realise that I have no time and energy to worry about things that don’t really matter.

I have no energy to waste. No time to daydream about what the future might be or what could be better in my life etc.

There are better ways to use my time and energy – to encourage those people, to give them practical help or to just pray for them and let them know they are being prayed for… Or even if not them, there are other ways to use my time for the advancement of my Lord’s Kingdom in this world and in the hearts of His people around me…

I have been blessed with imperfect health, and limited energy… But that’ why I have to use all I’ve got for my Lord all the more! They are not limitless, and that’s why I want to give all that I have for Him (!) – because I don’t have much to start with…

But I am happy. =) Because I know my Lord doesn’t make mistakes. =) And that all that my Father does – is well….

What Our Father Does is Well
by Benjamin Schmolck, as found in the Cyber Hymnal.

What our Father does is well;
Blessèd truth His children tell!
Though He send, for plenty, want,
Though the harvest-store be scant,
Yet we rest upon His love,
Seeking better things above.

What our Father does is well;
Shall the willful heart rebel?
If a blessing He withhold
In the field, or in the fold,
Is it not Himself to be
All our store eternally?

What our Father does is well;
Though He sadden hill and dell,
Upward yet our praises rise
For the strength His Word supplies;
He has called us sons of God,
Can we murmur at His rod?

What our Father does is well;
May the thought within us dwell;
Though nor milk nor honey flow
In our barren Canaan now,
God can save us in our need,
God can bless us, God can feed.

Therefore unto Him we raise
Hymns of glory, songs of praise;
To the Father, and the Son,
And the Spirit, Three in One,
Honor, might, and glory be
Now, and through eternity.

There is nothing sadder than to see someone trading Jesus for something less than Him…

I mean, really… what can be so precious that someone is willing to trade His Lord and Saviour with it? A mere “it”?!

Sure, the “it” might be considered priceless in the world’s eyes – or even in the eyes of some who consider themselves “Christians” – but it’s still an “it“! It’s just an “it“!

Who in their right mind would trade the Prince of Life and the Lord of Glory with an “it”?! Why would anyone in their right mind want to do that?!

I mean, what’s the use of gaining the whole world and yet losing your life?! Losing eternity?! Losing the most precious relationship and the most precious Person in your life? In your eternal life?!

Really!! Just unthinkable!

. . . . .

And yet – even after a post written with such fiery emotions, I know that at the end of the day, it is only by the grace of God that we are helped to persevere…

And so I pray for mercy… and strength to persevere when faced with anything that would draw me away from my Christ…

——

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
All its joys are but a name;
But His love abideth ever,
Through eternal years the same.

Refrain
Oh, the height and depth of mercy!
Oh, the length and breadth of love!
Oh, the fullness of redemption,
Pledge of endless life above!

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Sweetest comfort of my soul;
With my Savior watching o’er me,
I can sing though billows roll.
Refrain

Take the world, but give me Jesus,
Let me view His constant smile;
Then throughout my pilgrim journey
Light will cheer me all the while.
Refrain

Take the world, but give me Jesus.
In His cross my trust shall be,
Till, with clearer, brighter vision,
Face to face my Lord I see.
Refrain

Words by Fanny Crosby
Music by John R Sweney
As found in the CyberHymnal (new link): http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/t/t/ttwbgmej.htm

With all the discouraged hearts around me, it is hard to leave them be without saying anything…

However, instead of saying something myself, I’ll let a godly man of old by the name of Henry Francis Lite, to be the one giving the exhortation to those who need to hear it, and in the process – answering his night-fall prayer…

May his prayers be answered, may his song light in one drooping soul a hallowed fire or bind one broken heart, and may all these bring glory to God! =)

———

Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be.
Perish every fond ambition, all I’ve sought or hoped or known.
Yet how rich is my condition! God and Heaven are still mine own.

Let the world despise and leave me, they have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me; Thou art not, like them, untrue.
And while Thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, love and might,
Foes may hate and friends disown me, show Thy face and all is bright.

Go, then, earthly fame and treasure! Come, disaster, scorn and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure; with Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee, “Abba, Father”; I have set my heart on Thee:
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather, all must work for good to me.

Man may trouble and distress me, ’twill but drive me to Thy breast.
Life with trials hard may press me; heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me while Thy love is left to me;
Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me, were that joy unmixed with Thee.

Take, my soul, thy full salvation; rise o’er sin, and fear, and care;
Joy to find in every station something still to do or bear:
Think what Spirit dwells within thee; what a Father’s smile is thine;
What a Savior died to win thee, child of heaven, shouldst thou repine?

Haste then on from grace to glory, armed by faith, and winged by prayer,
Heaven’s eternal day’s before thee, God’s own hand shall guide thee there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission, swift shall pass thy pilgrim days;
Hope soon change to glad fruition, faith to sight, and prayer to praise.

Hymn taken from: the Cyber Hymnal.

Some of us in the office had the privilege to be addressed by Archbishop Nicholas Okoh of Nigeria yesterday morning.

He came to visit our office because of the long-time link that our organisation has with the Anglican Church of Nigeria.

I did not realise how big of an Anglican figure he is until after he left the office. But it was his address that was most powerful and encouraging that I would like to “preserve” in my blog… However, knowing that he isn’t just “any man” and for fear of misquoting him, I’ve decided to include a disclaimer here that all noted down here are just personal recollection of a failing memory.

Archbishop Okoh is such a charismatic figure (charismatic as in full of charisma). He spoke with such power and confidence – not loud, but powerful. And the content of his message was most encouraging!

He addressed us as his brothers and sisters in Christ, and reminded us to stand firm and hold fast to the truth of the Scriptures. He said that some people might accuse them illiterate or backward – living out a faith that is outdated, inherited from old-time missionaries. But he told us that they are just holding fast to what the Scriptures is saying. He said that the gospel might have been given to them (by the missionaries from the west), but they are not going to give them back – they received it and have made it their own. They aren’t giving it back.

He also reminded us not to be ashamed of mission – of taking the gospel out to unbelievers. Some, he said, might have apologised for it. But there is nothing to be ashamed about mission. It is those people (who apologised) who are wrong. We have done nothing wrong. We have nothing to be ashamed of. He encouraged us to be bold.

I didn’t really watch Obama’s speeches on TV. I could see that he is a powerful and charismatic leader and orator. And I know that some people have that ability – or so I learned from my history lessons – like Indonesian first president Soekarno. But I don’t think I’ve ever been in the presence of one. Someone who speaks the truth (without script!) so powerfully that it really moved you!

But I know that the main cause for my being moved was the content of his message… because what I remember most now is not how great I was feeling back then. What I remember most is what he said about the Scriptures and courage in mission. And the fact that he is a leader and representative of my many brothers and sisters – back in Africa – separated by oceans and lands, but united, in the truth of the gospel of Christ.