Taken from God's Little Devotional Book for Teens
Henry Ward Beecher, one of the most powerful preachers in American history, gave this illustration in one of his sermons:
"The lobster, when left high and dry among the rocks, has no sense and energy enough to work his way back to the sea, but waits for the sea to come to him. If it does not come, he remains where he is, and dies, although the slightest exertion would enable him to reach the waves, which are perhaps tossing and tumbling within a yard of him.
There is a tide in human affairs that casts men into 'tight places,' and leaves them there, like stranded lobsters. If they choose to lie where the breakers have flung them, expecting some grand billow to take them on its big shoulders and carry them to smooth water, the chances are that their hopes will never be realised."
Laziness is doing nothing, hoping nothing, being nothing. Patience, on the other hand, doesn't mean not doing anything. It means working on in hope that what you're waiting for will eventually come to pass, but you will continue to work on even if it doesn't.
"Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us" Hebrews 12:1
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Kena Sabo
You know what, I kena sabo my own youth leaders. 2-3 weeks ago I told them we're going to run a series of testimonies from leaders in our blog and they all happily agreed ya. Then I waited.. no news oh, so I write my own testi and put up first la.. still nothing from them oh.. how la.. fong fui ki kau kau oh this.. ish ish ish!
ne'er mind la, I write something else while waiting for them..
ne'er mind la, I write something else while waiting for them..
Monday, May 4, 2009
Testimony ~ Be a Friend - Caroline
Let me start the ball rolling in our Testimony Series from our youth leaders.
I have been in the youth ministry ever since I came back from KL in mid June 1999. God impressed upon my heart this phrase which I have kept to this day, 'Be a Friend.' I must admit over the years there have been often times I felt this phrase somewhat lacking, especially when I hear other youth leaders talking about their youth, what are they doing in their ministry, their plans etc. and here I am, with a phrase I hardly talk about (until now) but which has shaped my approach in the ministry; be a friend. But over the years and in many occasions, God kept reminding me the value of this phrase and I praise God for that.
To me, youth ministry is about relationship. There must be that openness of both parties to talk and listen to each other. I learnt also that you must earn the youth's respect and when you have earned it, then basically, you're all right. Of course, when you are a youth leader, they do listen to you, but that kind of respect is different. They respect the position of the leader, but they might not respect you as a person. It is when they respect you as a person and as a leader, ah, that's when the relationship starts. And when you have that link, that bond, well like I said, you're all right, in the eyes of the youths la (although not necessarily in the eyes of the adults! yikes.... but that's another story, hehe) Another thing I learnt about youths is that they can spot a fake from far. You may talk a lot, but they know whether you're fake or not, whether you truly care about them or it's just lip service.
I didn't start youth ministry with a bang back in 1999. I had returned home from KL all drained spiritually and I knew I was in no shape to help. But things were a bit urgent then so I stepped in, willing but drained. And you know what, God truly knows everyone of us. God placed me in the youth ministry not just for me to help the youths, but more for them to help me! It was through the youth ministry that God steadily pulled me up from where I was, and He reminded me that I couldn't bear fruit unless I remain in Him, and He in me. We cannot do things without Him, it will not bear fruit.
I just realised that this year will be my 10th year in the youth ministry! Like CCL celebrating her 40th anniversary, I should celebrate and reflect in my 10th year. I sometimes ask myself whether I have outlived my welcome and usefulness in the youth ministry, and whether I am still relevant to them. I told myself that the day I no longer know what they are talking about, when I am no longer relevant to them and I become just another adult in their eyes, that will be the day I pack. May God grant me the wisdom to know when it's time. But until that day comes.. I serve faithfully. Amen.
I have been in the youth ministry ever since I came back from KL in mid June 1999. God impressed upon my heart this phrase which I have kept to this day, 'Be a Friend.' I must admit over the years there have been often times I felt this phrase somewhat lacking, especially when I hear other youth leaders talking about their youth, what are they doing in their ministry, their plans etc. and here I am, with a phrase I hardly talk about (until now) but which has shaped my approach in the ministry; be a friend. But over the years and in many occasions, God kept reminding me the value of this phrase and I praise God for that.
To me, youth ministry is about relationship. There must be that openness of both parties to talk and listen to each other. I learnt also that you must earn the youth's respect and when you have earned it, then basically, you're all right. Of course, when you are a youth leader, they do listen to you, but that kind of respect is different. They respect the position of the leader, but they might not respect you as a person. It is when they respect you as a person and as a leader, ah, that's when the relationship starts. And when you have that link, that bond, well like I said, you're all right, in the eyes of the youths la (although not necessarily in the eyes of the adults! yikes.... but that's another story, hehe) Another thing I learnt about youths is that they can spot a fake from far. You may talk a lot, but they know whether you're fake or not, whether you truly care about them or it's just lip service.
I didn't start youth ministry with a bang back in 1999. I had returned home from KL all drained spiritually and I knew I was in no shape to help. But things were a bit urgent then so I stepped in, willing but drained. And you know what, God truly knows everyone of us. God placed me in the youth ministry not just for me to help the youths, but more for them to help me! It was through the youth ministry that God steadily pulled me up from where I was, and He reminded me that I couldn't bear fruit unless I remain in Him, and He in me. We cannot do things without Him, it will not bear fruit.
I just realised that this year will be my 10th year in the youth ministry! Like CCL celebrating her 40th anniversary, I should celebrate and reflect in my 10th year. I sometimes ask myself whether I have outlived my welcome and usefulness in the youth ministry, and whether I am still relevant to them. I told myself that the day I no longer know what they are talking about, when I am no longer relevant to them and I become just another adult in their eyes, that will be the day I pack. May God grant me the wisdom to know when it's time. But until that day comes.. I serve faithfully. Amen.
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