Tuesday, March 24, 2015

A Miraculous Week

And yes, I have been working in a small place where Chinese burgers are famous for. I would not say that it has been an awesome smooth sailing five months. But through the five months of living in solitude here; away from friends and family that truly have I learn to be dependent on God.

Other than remembering this place as the place where I see first hand how God healed someone through me, I've seen myself learning so many things that would other wise be impossible if I am still back home.

But just recently I flew back to my hometown for an interview, with hopes soaring high; from parents and myself, I went without much of preparation on the technical aspect of the job. So in short? Interviewers thought that I wasted their time and that I felt that I've wasted a golden opportunity too. If there's such a thing called stoning myself, I would certainly do it . And that was my thought at that time.

But however, I felt super peaceful, that I would one day go back to my hometown, where my heart and all the other good things are,  despite what a crazy day it was . And so days went by without any news or replies, and the opportunity to go back seemed so bleak. That was until my dad reminded me that he has this friend that owns a company and that he has been looking for engineers.

To cut it short, my dad sent my academic transcript which was not near to being impressive at all. It was just slightly above average. Despite that, I took my chances.Days went by again, my Gmail notification range. Title of the email : "Letter of employment" . Upon reading the offer letter, my mind was blown to bits. Not due to the remuneration packages or what so ever, but the fact that I got a full time job without a resume and an interview. One would argue that its cause the owner knows my dad, but I call it divine blessing.

But there was a catch, just days before I got the offer letter, I was asked if I am keen to join a mission's trip to Vietnam. And initially I gave a tentative yes as things were not as settled; so many uncertainties. But upon getting the offer the letter, we prayed that if the employer is okay with me having a leave application in advance, be it annual leave or unpaid leave, I'll take it as a yes from God to the job.

So there I was anxiously waiting during the weekends, the verdict ? Reply was: " Dear Alvin, the management is okay with the leave application in advance. " . I went blank and dumbfounded. In my heart I went : "Wow, God, Amazing is an understatement to describe You.". And so it was a miraculous week, with now being Tuesday only !

To those that may seem lost, whether you're deciding which course to take in your university or college, or which job offer to take. Just surrender to God, and look out for the peace that He will place into your hearts for the decisions that He wants to take on.  For if His children asks, would He give a stone for a loaf of bread ? Or a snake for a fish ? Definitely a big no and realize that if we sinners know how to give good gifts, God for sure will be  the one will give generously good gifts to those who asks. [Matthew 7:9-11]

Be blessed ! Who ever you are :)

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Blowing off the digital dust

It has since been a few years since the last time I wrote something. So you would expect me to do a whole lot of self reflection ? And sure I did, especially you're in a place with scumbag drivers all around, bearing in mind that at the rate of few times per day, I nearly meet Jesus earlier that scheduled !

And so I'm here done with my degree, being all optimistic about landing myself a job, I hit road blocks after road blocks in countless interviews.

So I prayed jokingly : " God, if there are no mocking to my dreams , no mocking to my intellect just due to slightly above average results, and that I have peace about it,  I'll take it as a yes .. and voila.. here I am in erm MIRI *sarcasm intended*. LOL.

Initially I questioned my very decision of coming to this seemingly God forsaken town, where there are 10 pickup trucks out of 3 cars on the road, where inconsiderate drivers roam. And true enough, many questioned my sanity of coming into a lesser town compared to my hometown. For quite awhile I was caught in the limbo of not knowing what am I here for.

But weeks upon arriving here, I went to this prayer meeting one day, on a Wednesday evening, where I was the only young working adult. To top that up? They prayed in Mandarin, then I was like, Okay God, I'll pray to you in English ; being so accustomed to that. Issues were raised as prayer points and so we went on into forming groups to pray.

So there was this old lady with post surgery pain, whining about how painful it was in whatever posture she has; sitting, lying down , standing. PAIN EVERYDAY ALL DAY. Guess what ? I felt the prompting to pray for her. I did. I prayed and on the Friday that very same week. She gave a text to say that she has been able to sleep soundly ever since; nor painkillers or sleeplessness at night.

My lessons for that day ?  Where discomfort lies there lies a potential for growth in whatever sense possible. And that God provides the healing power, we just provide the willingness and the guts to pray for people; to be a channel so to speak. And that is our part. Full stop. And when you rely on Him solely, He blow your mind ( in a good way) the love He has for you by including you in things like these.

What is it like to be loved by God ? Ten thousand love songs sung to you, of how awesome and wonderfully you were made, squeezed into a single instance that would go on for eternity. His love is wanting to die for your sins over and over, but since He sent His perfect Son, once is all it takes, once is enough to clear off the eternity of condemnation. Still can't fathom His love for you ? If you're only one in this world, He would still die for your sins. Be blessed, whoever you are :)