Thinking things: "Homeless"

I'm back from Leaders Retreat and as much as the turn out for the staying part/ fellowship part was quite a turn off and the message by Pastor Alvin Ngoh was one that I've heard quite a few times, I'm glad I went. It wasn't just a time of reflection but a time of assurance and enlightenment. The days leading up to the Leaders Retreat was a period of seeking God and I needed the assurance that circumstances, whether good or bad, will not sway my position in Christ. Was is hard and dry? Yes. But from the Leaders Retreat, I emerge with more strength from God.

I was quite reluctant to do Emotionally Healthy Spirituality because I was afraid of the things I might find as I search myself. I was fearful of (can you believe it) myself. But God spoke to me and told me, "If I, the God who created the heavens and the earth, is unafraid of embracing you, who are you to feel afraid to embracing yourself? I formed your in your mother's womb. I can see, have seen and regardless of anything will still be able to see what you have in the depth of your heart. You cannot hide from me." Right then, the assurance of His love for me just washed over me. I don't need to be afraid of what's in me.

I think that this may be the season that my relationship with God won't be as intimate as before but I believe that it's a time for my faith to be strengthened for greater things! I guess you could say that it's something like the times the parent has to let go of baby's hands such that they would be able to wak on their own? Haha. So I guess it's an encouragement to myself, don't give up! Your Father may have allowed you to learn to walk on your own but be assured that He is still watching you and ready to catch you at the slightest stumble you may face.

Another thing that I realized during Leaders Retreat was how much I have to trust God more. Actually, as we were having ministry time, I felt led to pray for someone because I felt that that person was feeling discouraged and tired. But I put it aside. I think God may have prompted me 3 more times reagrding this issue as the person brushed against my arm. But some how or another I just didn't get it. So I let the issue slide. The next day, that person was sharing how ministry was very tiring and discouraging and it felt like an "if only" moment. But through this, God revealed to me that maybe my spiritual receptor isn't very receptive towards the signals and signs that God is giving and it's time I hone them such that I can be more sensitive to the Spirit. Secondly, as I really need to let go of insecurities, be brave and go! Fear stops faith from being an action and faith without action is dead. So another 2 things to learn. Eradicate fear!

Lastly, I want to talk about homeless people. Non-Christians are like homeless people living on the streets. They have no spiritual roof over their heads and they walk around with mostly short-term goals such as finding food to eat and all. As Christians, we have a roof over our heads because we are living in the house of God the moment we accepted Christ. We are able to eat proper (eternal) food served upon a dining table but these homeless people have nothing. Think about it, if a homeless man where to come up to your doorstep one day and ask you for food to eat, would you help him? Most of us may just choose to ignore the knock of the homeless person, others may open up the door only to shut it back once again as soon as the homeless person asks for helps and some of us don't even know that these homeless people are knocking on the door because our televisions are too loud. Are there too many things going on in your life that is drowning out all the pleas of these people knocking on your door? I believe that these 'homeless' people are all around and I believe that everyday, someone is knocking on the doors of our lives and asking us for 'food', what they should our action towards that be? What would you do? I think my challenge for myself (and others) would be to listen out carefully for the knocks from these homeless people and share with them the food we have so abundantly. After all, they need food to survive too.

Okay, I actually still have one more thing but maybe that will be for another time (:

So, thinking back, any regret going for Leaders Retreat? Nopes, not really (: