JESUS Rocks!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

'Trials' and 'Temptations'. What a dual of words! To think I had disregarded the weight of these two terms until they were looking me in the eye. Over the weeks I had been facing the challenge of trusting God in times of doubt - do allow me to elaborate in the next few paragraphs.

I have been actively searching for a media company in Singapore to intern with during my break but there hasn't been news in a long time. I was initially confident of securing a work placement with a renown broadcast company but was rejected due to budget constraints. To make things worse, plan B also failed. All this, on top of my worries of securing a media-related job in the future, made me question His providence.

Thankfully, the book of James has addressed this situation of mine ever so aptly in its first chapter.

2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

Trust in this context equates to total surrender, something I fear I still very much lack. I've shamefully realised that I've grown complacent, almost expectant, with His blessings. I'd like to see this trial as a stark reminder that life as a child of God is no bed of roses, but it is so for a reason.

Paul's address in Philippians pulls a nice parallel. His efforts in spreading the gospel landed him in jail but this served as an encouragement to his brothers (refer to Philippians 1:14). I especially admire how he described himself to be 'in chains for Christ'. On the same plane, I certainly expect to see myself come out of this trial 'mature and complete, not lacking anything'. Faith has to be rooted in love, but evidenced by action. Just like how Paul continued to defend the gospel in spite of his situation, I've learnt to obey God despite the circumstances, trusting that He WILL make a way for me. Wouldn't it be an awesome testimony when He finally does so?

And make a way He did - an old friend whom I hadn't kept in touch with found me on Facebook and we spent the whole night catching up. I related my situation to her and it turns out that her brother might be able to slip me in for an internship with his publishing company. How cool is that? There is much to learn from Abraham's faith, Solomon's wisdom, and Paul's perseverance.

I have been greatly humbled and deeply convicted.

His love prevails,
e.

penned at 8:15 AM