Sustain me, Lord

Sometimes we think that in order to care for the Body of Christ, we should pray the prayers that are sheerly for the saints, the church. However, I am realising a little bit more that as a member of the Body, I shall also pray for myself. 

 I pray "Lord, sustain me so that I can pray as an appointed watchman who reminds You until You establish and until You make Jerusalem a praise in the earth (Isa 62:6-7)".

"Lord, sustain me so Your interests on the earth can be cared for. Care for me so that I can lay the track for You to come back. Let not the busyness, tiredness, and various stress consume me. Lord, preserve me so I can be a part to fulfill Your heart's desire". 

Lord, I entrust my life to You. Be the strength within and the power without so that I can go on as the going on of the Body. 

The attitudes while/after confronting failures

(https://www.facebook.com/DoctorKoWJ/videos/396590987628594/)

Just came across this video. It was Dr Ko, the mayor of Taipei, visiting the northeast of Japan where the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami took place in the year of 2011. The entire region was swept by the tsunami.

Something came to my mind while watching this video. Instead of fixing obvious problems such as houses and buildings, Japan turned the disaster to an opportunity to rebuild the entire region for a better and safer place to live. They had a complete plan for the regional renewal.

I once had an experience. I considered it as a failure, both spiritually and humanly. Even now, whenever I think of it, I feel bad. As a Christian, I should be able to learn things spiritually and humanly as well. I have to learn to eat the difficulties and become as strong as Caleb in the old testament.

Reflection (2) - recharge, conversations with myself and the Lord

Recently, I have a feeling that I need to come to the Lord just to reflect and to reconsider this coming year. Of course, due to various reasons, I would like to complete my thesis in this coming year and go to Germany, but seriously, there seems to be a long way to go. So today, after almost doing nothing, I come to this video concerning George Müller whose testimony has always been an encouragement to me (https://tinyurl.com/yym9e3bd).

There are several things in my mind that I am seeking the Lord.

1) What is my calling in my life course in relation to my occupation and career?
2) Where I am called to move to?
3) What have I set my mind for in order to complete this PhD in this coming year?

Reflection (1) - the eventful May

Since the end of April, I have been busy until today that I can finally have a break and do some reflection. 

Something I have done this month. 

1. One week back home

I took a week away from my work back to Taiwan for dental checks, for chiropractic check, for traditional Chinese clinical check. I wanted to do a thorough health check but the time just wasn't enough for me to complete everything. I enjoyed a little bit of pleasure from nice massage sessions (this included traditional treatments. :) After all these treatments and health checks, I really feel much better from my constant fatigue and pains in my body. I am thankful that the Lord was helping me deal with all these problems in such a limited time. I also visited my companion's mum - she recently passed away so both of us visited her at a cemetery. 

He faileth not, For He is God

He faileth not, for He is God.

"The Lord does not delay regarding the promise, as some count delay, but is long-suffering toward you, not intending that any perish but that all advance to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)"

I have been praying for my housing during the summer as well as the next academic year. Many things seem quite disappointing, and sometimes I don't know what else I can do anymore. However, this morning, I was shepherded by this verse in 2 Peter and being encouraged that His heart towards us is good. In various situations and even in the things regarding His promise, His heart is not to make us perish but so that we can all advance to repentance and gain Him more.

The God who hides Himself

親愛的Ｍ，

看到你的信件真的很感動。覺得妳是上帝派來的天使呢！

其實來到英國讀博士班，也是主對我的呼召，希望藉著讀書將這大好信息傳到校園，並在之後藉著在職服事能供給教會及校園福音的需要。來到歐洲也讓我慢慢了解，正因為他們濃厚的宗教背景，上帝對他們來說只是宗教跟文化而非他們實際的救主，慢慢了解到上帝為什麼帶我到這裡來。然而這一年多來，課業、體力、財務等各方面的壓力愈來愈大，讓我覺得搆不上為主服事的心願。正覺得愛主的心是否冷淡而難過，也為自己無法兼顧課業和服事只能專心課業的當下而氣餒時，看到你的信件覺得很受激勵，而你分享的經節似乎也是上帝對我的說話。

我想所有奉獻自己給主的基督徒，並非一帆風順，即便想服事主，也要經過一些考驗。正如我們的生活有高有低，服事也是。你的分享，讓我知道當下只能專心課業是神所安排的環境，為要使我知道，我能否服事祂，不在於我的能力。另外我也不需氣餒，當下的環境不能磨損服事祂的心願，反而需要更多親近尋求祂－我想祂看重我們在過程中與祂的交流過於我們外面做的事。待時候到了，祂會帶領我們在適當的機會裡服事祂。