Holy Discontent...

I am encouraged by people's concern for me when they read my last blog. Thanks for your concerns. Sorry that I was quite tied up this week. I realise For last entry and this, I seems to have changed my style of blogging. =p Think this is ok since I want this blog to be real, to reflect what I am or was thinking about.

Yesterday I was really stressed because I couldn't find good trailer clips for today's movie night. My wife was preparing for her script for the movie night but she still helped me. Thank God for a good wife. =) I also received another challenge last night. Haha.. Life is getting more and more exciting.

Anyway as I was planning this movie night, it brought back memories of the times in university group. I was in charge of event management. The tight deadline, the pressure, the coordination and the amount of things to do are similar. It took me around 1-2 years back then to get used to it and I even set up a system for events, especially those on regular basis, to avoid such intense moments.

The holy discontent in me for this area surfaced again... This isn't the best. Through my years in church, I saw alot of pastoral leaders taking up lots of roles and responsibilities and always so busy. I don't think this is good for them. There are members in the church with the right skills and with more free time. These are opportunities for them to get involved and serve in their strength!! However it isn't our culture to volunteer or to initiate. This has been the challenge. Personally, my discontent lies in the area of resource management. I have been taught to be versatile, to improvise and to find the best solution to problem. I will try to look for shortcut or a better way of doing things.

Sometimes I have this strong sentiment of "there must be a better way of doing this" and I will put on my thinking cap and ponder and try to find that "better way". Before 2004/5 I will just know it in my head but after I learnt the goodness of setting up system, I see the benefits it can have in putting all those considerations and experiences that I have in words. It will be a painful process for me ( I am not a word or structure person). I remember the resistence I put up when I was told to come up with a system for event management. Haha..

When Eugene challenge the sub district group to think of what each one of us can contribute to the group, I thought of some possible ideas. I envision members stepping out to initiate something that he/she likes or passionate about that will inspire like minded members or benefit the rest of the group in some ways. One of them was to see members who are passionate about exercise, aerobics and even nutrition to come together to champion in the health and fitness aspect. They can plan for sports day, regular exercise regime, introduce new aerobics or health seminars which will benefit the working adults who don't set aside time for this. They will be promoting what they like and I am sure they will enjoy themselves while doing it. Those of you who are frustrated about the lack of avenue for health and fitness in the group, probably you can channel those frustration into something powerful. Initiate something, plan something, gather like minded people, DO SOMETHING! =p

Ideally ministry should be done this way with all these pull and push factors. =) I guess there are pull and push factors in play when I start the couple gathering. I see the need and benefits for such gathering and Eugene is supportive and open to this and off we go, we started our first gathering. Now I am planning for the second one on 11th April. =)

Recently a brother who has passion in writing wrote a children story book for a competition with another sister. I thought it was a good start and now he gathered a group of like minded brothers and sisters to join him and they are having their first meet up soon. Praise God for his passion and initiative. I pray for blessing and anointing upon this writers' group and may God bless their works and use them to influence and impact people around them.

I pray that God will instill greater passion in my brothers and sisters and lead them to step out to initiate and champion in their areas of passion and strength. It may start out small but just like a mustard seed sized faith that can move mountains, I am sure God will honour those who use their talents and passion to glorify Him.