Antioch Agent

Once again, there was the usual slightly crazy last minute rush to find all the presents for family just in time for Christmas. The thought process and effort to find the perfect gift for that someone does take a little bit of resource and resourcefulness. This time, it was a just little more frenzied than previous years due to an especially busy December period … with a Penang Bible Camp to attend , lots of work commitments and a few things that popped up last minute. But for the fact that i’m typing this post, post-Christmas reminds me that we always do get there … eventually. Just that the ride could be a little bumpy at times.

Leaving KL pretty late last night due to the last minute shopping right til the  shops closed at 9:30 on the eve of Christmas ( i told you it was last minute), we was already exhausted as we got to the wheel for the home bound journey. But as it turned out, it turned out to look like a master stroke of timing (none of our own active planning) because we evaded the massive jams across the whole city and the highways and got in within 4 hours. My dear friend Guna & family started at 5 pm, and only reached Penang by midnight. I didn’t gloat, but we had a good laugh talking about it. 😉

It’s been a fun and busy day. Got in by 2:30 am, I tossed and turned in sleep throughout the night and hardly got a wink out of it. I was up by 7 absolutely ragged. 10:30am Christmas service saw a lovely SNGH choir presentation, the gospel preached, a great tasting luncheon. I hadn’t tasted 747’s food in ages … mind blowing stuff. I was taking loads of rice and bee hoon to do justice to some really awesome Penang styled nyonya sambal. Oh man, I can still picture it … *falling faint* It was great just to see all the familiar faces all over again and catching up … it really really made my day. Good ol’ Kit Siong, still cracks me up like no other … still comes up with the zaniest goods year after year.

As i type this in my dad’s study at almost 2 in the morning, I’m just reminded of all God’s goodnesses to me all these years. I reflect on the best times of my childhood and teenage years and bless the Lord for how He has graciously seen me through it all. If not for the Lord’s hand and the lives and prayers of my parents and many believers who invested time for me, I really don’t see how I would be still walking in the Lord and serving him at this point of my life (yes, i just touched 30 just about 2 weeks ago). The Lord has been good, indeed been good to me and my family. Through it all, the Lord has been ever so faithful and His Word the surest thing amidst every gale that has blown, and I stand a blessed man indeed.

I was reminded from the words of Jeremiah that I read today …

Jer 10:23-24 “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.  O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.”

Sometimes we may certainly think that the way out is to trust ourselves and find a way by our own means without bringing in the Lord into our decision process. This is certain folly for the believer. We must allow the Lord to direct our steps, but for that we’ve to listen to our master’s voice. That comes from a quietened heart before Him and the Word. I too have learned that the Lord has more than gracious in His dealings with His children especially in correcting and discipline. All this serves as a reminder to me today, that I should all the more place my trust in His Word, in His Wisdom, in His Way … not in the wisdom of the world or in my own.

The year end is fast approaching, and with what’s still lined up for work for the last week of 2009 I know I’m going to especially need the grace of God and the mercies which are new every morning. But i’m trusting it’ll be the same outcome, that I’ll get there… eventually.  Just that the ride could be a little bumpy at times.

2010 beckons.