Rainbows in the sky to know God's promises are true...
I don't know when it was that I started to pursue after rainbows in the sky. Whenever it drizzles in the evening and there is still sunlight, I will be looking out for it on the eastern skylines. The sun would be on the west, shining through the raindrops and forming the rainbow on the east.
Coincidentally, the east symbolises where the presence of God is. The tabernacle was always at the east. The east is where the sun rises every morning, and every morning His mercies are new. Coincidence or creation?
Did you know? It's rare to see rainbows in the morning, because it seldom rains like that in the morning -- sun on the east and raining on the west sky. But I have seen this morning rainbow, and it was a huge complete arch, with its distinctive seven colours brightly shining against the grey sky.
And did you know? It wouldn't be possible to see rainbows in the evening unless you are right in the middle where the sun shines and it is raining at the same time. But I have seen it many times, and at times when I least expected it.
These are times when I needed an assurance from the Lord. And though these may be times when I least expected it, I am never surprised at the appearance of a rainbow, because I know they will come. Because I know God's love never fail. Because I know my Father wants to lavish His loving kindness and tender mercies on me all over again. Because He wants to restore me and heal me and comfort me.
And every time I see the rainbow, the Lord is speaking a different thing. Sometimes it is about His everlasting love; sometimes it is His assurance that He is with me; sometimes it is telling me not to give up, because this is what He wants me to walk in and stick on; sometimes it is all of the above. But all in all, His peace fills me and warms my heart... I am grateful for His love.
Showing posts with label Promise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Promise. Show all posts
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
The Smallest Rainbow
To those of you who drive, have you ever thought of how you can give thanks when there is a terrible jam and you're rushing for work? Every minute that ticks pass is another moment closer to the threat of being late, so what runs through your mind may be worry and anxiety more than a thanksgiving heart that rises to God. Well, I had the opportunity this morning to give thanks to God, because I saw something in the sky that was beautiful beyond description.
Two cranes flew by, heading towards the zoo. One particularly flew quite near to the cars in front, because at the stretch I was stuck at was a raised highway. I watched them as they glided through the sky, thinking how nice it would be if they were to flew pass above my car... We inched towards the turning to go down the slope, and as I was turning, I saw it. The sky was now brightly lit, although the thick clouds were a unique combination of reddish orange and grey. And there, in between two clouds was one small ray of rainbow. But there was no mistaking it.
I think I was the only one who actually saw that. Or at least I'd like to think it that way. The rainbow lasted for only about five minutes, and it faded. But for the longest time I just stared at it, one eye looking out at traffic and another just trying to drink in all the beauty in it...
It was so small... Just so small... I tried to look if there were other parts of it coming out in sky, but the clouds were too thick, that was the only gap that allowed the colourful ray to shine through. I couldn't take a picture of it, but there's no regret; it's forever etched in my heart.
I said a prayer to my Father. I need You, Lord. I know every time You show me this Rainbow of Promise, You're just telling me and assuring me of Your great love. Teach me what to do. Show me how, Lord. I need You.
And I gave thanks for the jam.
Jesus, all the answers and solutions are found in You. Even when sometimes we think there are questions that we have never thought about, questions that are essentially doubts, Lord, even these You have the answers to them. Even when things don't turn out the way we want them to, You have the solutions for them. And all we need to do is just to rest in You, rest in the assurance of Your goodness and mercy.
Father, I thank You. And I love You.
Two cranes flew by, heading towards the zoo. One particularly flew quite near to the cars in front, because at the stretch I was stuck at was a raised highway. I watched them as they glided through the sky, thinking how nice it would be if they were to flew pass above my car... We inched towards the turning to go down the slope, and as I was turning, I saw it. The sky was now brightly lit, although the thick clouds were a unique combination of reddish orange and grey. And there, in between two clouds was one small ray of rainbow. But there was no mistaking it.
I think I was the only one who actually saw that. Or at least I'd like to think it that way. The rainbow lasted for only about five minutes, and it faded. But for the longest time I just stared at it, one eye looking out at traffic and another just trying to drink in all the beauty in it...
It was so small... Just so small... I tried to look if there were other parts of it coming out in sky, but the clouds were too thick, that was the only gap that allowed the colourful ray to shine through. I couldn't take a picture of it, but there's no regret; it's forever etched in my heart.
I said a prayer to my Father. I need You, Lord. I know every time You show me this Rainbow of Promise, You're just telling me and assuring me of Your great love. Teach me what to do. Show me how, Lord. I need You.
And I gave thanks for the jam.
Jesus, all the answers and solutions are found in You. Even when sometimes we think there are questions that we have never thought about, questions that are essentially doubts, Lord, even these You have the answers to them. Even when things don't turn out the way we want them to, You have the solutions for them. And all we need to do is just to rest in You, rest in the assurance of Your goodness and mercy.
Father, I thank You. And I love You.
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Who am I?
This is one of the excerpts found in the Church Camp booklet. It spoke deeply to my heart, so I just want to share it here with you...
God has a plan for our lives. He has a perfect strategy, all plotted out for us, it's just a matter of listening to His voice, being obedient to His promptings and boldly stepping out in all His ways. Astronaut, accountant, zoologist, doctor, lawyer, engineer... we could do anything we set my mind to with His help, but...
I don't think that's what the Lord truly intends, but instead of asking "What do you want to do", He's asking "who do you want to be". It's a question of CHARACTER and becoming the PERSON He intends us to be -- not the occupation.
There are many people who say "I believe God has spoken to me about a life partner, preaching, prophecy, dreams, visions, etc." So many things that God has whispered in our hearts about doing, and these are all great things. But beyond that, God wants us to become people of great worth in our hearts and minds, not just in our roles and job descriptions.
This is so true. God sees us as who we are as a person, not our occupation or job description. Of course, when it comes to functioning in the spirit as His servant, He does call us into positions as Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists, and Teachers, but more than that, He wants us to live up to the CHARACTER of one.
It gives me great comfort that although I may not do well in my job, or at times when I fail miserably, God still looks at me with grace and mercy. He still looks at us with that sense of great worth that is written in our destiny.
And He continues to whisper to us, to speak to us, to tell us His plan and purpose of us. We need to be like Samuel, listening and responding correctly to God, so that His will can be carried out through our obedience. And through it all, we become who we are, by the grace of God.
1 Sam 3:1, 10, 11What do you want to do when you grow up? It's a question that is relevant, no matter what age, no matter how old you are. What are you going to do with the rest of your life? It's never too early, it's never too late to ask this question. God will use the young and the old, all He really needs is an open and willing heart.
1: The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli. In those days the word of the Lord was rare; there were not many visions.
10: The Lord came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
11: And the Lord said to Samuel: "See, I am about to do something in Israel that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle.
God has a plan for our lives. He has a perfect strategy, all plotted out for us, it's just a matter of listening to His voice, being obedient to His promptings and boldly stepping out in all His ways. Astronaut, accountant, zoologist, doctor, lawyer, engineer... we could do anything we set my mind to with His help, but...
I don't think that's what the Lord truly intends, but instead of asking "What do you want to do", He's asking "who do you want to be". It's a question of CHARACTER and becoming the PERSON He intends us to be -- not the occupation.
There are many people who say "I believe God has spoken to me about a life partner, preaching, prophecy, dreams, visions, etc." So many things that God has whispered in our hearts about doing, and these are all great things. But beyond that, God wants us to become people of great worth in our hearts and minds, not just in our roles and job descriptions.
This is so true. God sees us as who we are as a person, not our occupation or job description. Of course, when it comes to functioning in the spirit as His servant, He does call us into positions as Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists, and Teachers, but more than that, He wants us to live up to the CHARACTER of one.
It gives me great comfort that although I may not do well in my job, or at times when I fail miserably, God still looks at me with grace and mercy. He still looks at us with that sense of great worth that is written in our destiny.
And He continues to whisper to us, to speak to us, to tell us His plan and purpose of us. We need to be like Samuel, listening and responding correctly to God, so that His will can be carried out through our obedience. And through it all, we become who we are, by the grace of God.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Direction Found >>
"Looking for Direction?" shouts the flyer for Graduates Seminar.
Personally, it was a night of liberty for me. I hope many of my friends and church members who attended the seminar had found direction in their life with regards to entering into the working world.
As for me, I believe I have found guidance from the Lord, even though I myself was one of the speaker for the night.
The night started with us picking up the food from food stalls, getting the hall ready, welcoming friends and church members, distributing the door gifts to them, enjoying the light refreshments, etc etc. I was feeling nervous about what I was going to share, as it has been quite some time since I have delivered a testimony. I had only started to prepare my script about two days prior to the event. Oops.
Ps. Monica shared about tips for interview, what's the right job, confidence in interview, etc. Her topic was actually a long, extensive sharing if it should be carried on without time constrain. However, she only managed to skim through the booklet on all the topics; yet it was good enough to let the audience read on their own so they get the full picture of it. Praise God, it was a good delivery.
Ps. Lois' sharing was enlightening. She shared about Peter and his fishermen partners at the shore and how Jesus called him to be a fisher of men, even though they were total failures just the night before, having caught nothing for the whole night. She shared that God is able to use us. Even if we have made mistakes before, but He is able to help you let go of the defeat and failure and to let us start afresh. I could relate it with myself, having made countless mistakes... It was really comforting knowing that the Lord could let me start afresh, if I would just put my trust in Him...
As for my part of the sharing, actually it's already in this blog, titled 'The Rainbow'. I spoke about how the Lord had blessed me in this job, about how He has seen me through many times that I had wanted to give up -- even right when I was sharing the testimony (though I didn't announce it to the audience, of course). I spoke about the Rainbow -- the one that the Lord has created for me to see so that I could set my eyes on Him.
I had wanted to leave so badly, but there were so many things that happened and caused my plans to be thwarted. For the first time I understood what it means to be hindered by the Spirit of the Lord, like how Paul was hindered from going to Macedonia initially. I experienced and knew the difference between a holy hindrance and a hindrance sent by Satan, a.k.a. a thorn in the flesh. I felt it in my spirit.
This very night that I shared my testimony again about God's Rainbow of Promise, it seemed that there was a clarity in my spirit against all the confusion that has been built up in me for the past few months. As I finished my sharing and sat down at the back, I felt an assurance deep down in me, and I know that I know that I know that Jesus was speaking to me. He wasn't just telling me that He loves me; He was saying that He is with me, right where I am, right where He will be bringing me.
There are times it seems that we have been running for a long time for a long distance and we suddenly feel so tired of everything in life. We look at others and we start to compare. We wonder how it would be for us if we were at where others are. We ponder about how it would be if we were at a different environment. But we don't really have the answers. I didn't have the answers, and I don't think I ever will, but I knew it deep down inside that it was never meant to be. I would rather be at a place where I know the Lord is with me than at where it seems good to human standards but it's not God's will for me.
Just want to encourage you, deep down inside you will find the answers, because God reveals them to you.
Verse to Remember:
"Then you will call upon me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord…” -- Jeremiah 29:12-14
Personally, it was a night of liberty for me. I hope many of my friends and church members who attended the seminar had found direction in their life with regards to entering into the working world.
As for me, I believe I have found guidance from the Lord, even though I myself was one of the speaker for the night.
The night started with us picking up the food from food stalls, getting the hall ready, welcoming friends and church members, distributing the door gifts to them, enjoying the light refreshments, etc etc. I was feeling nervous about what I was going to share, as it has been quite some time since I have delivered a testimony. I had only started to prepare my script about two days prior to the event. Oops.
Ps. Monica shared about tips for interview, what's the right job, confidence in interview, etc. Her topic was actually a long, extensive sharing if it should be carried on without time constrain. However, she only managed to skim through the booklet on all the topics; yet it was good enough to let the audience read on their own so they get the full picture of it. Praise God, it was a good delivery.
Ps. Lois' sharing was enlightening. She shared about Peter and his fishermen partners at the shore and how Jesus called him to be a fisher of men, even though they were total failures just the night before, having caught nothing for the whole night. She shared that God is able to use us. Even if we have made mistakes before, but He is able to help you let go of the defeat and failure and to let us start afresh. I could relate it with myself, having made countless mistakes... It was really comforting knowing that the Lord could let me start afresh, if I would just put my trust in Him...
As for my part of the sharing, actually it's already in this blog, titled 'The Rainbow'. I spoke about how the Lord had blessed me in this job, about how He has seen me through many times that I had wanted to give up -- even right when I was sharing the testimony (though I didn't announce it to the audience, of course). I spoke about the Rainbow -- the one that the Lord has created for me to see so that I could set my eyes on Him.
I had wanted to leave so badly, but there were so many things that happened and caused my plans to be thwarted. For the first time I understood what it means to be hindered by the Spirit of the Lord, like how Paul was hindered from going to Macedonia initially. I experienced and knew the difference between a holy hindrance and a hindrance sent by Satan, a.k.a. a thorn in the flesh. I felt it in my spirit.
This very night that I shared my testimony again about God's Rainbow of Promise, it seemed that there was a clarity in my spirit against all the confusion that has been built up in me for the past few months. As I finished my sharing and sat down at the back, I felt an assurance deep down in me, and I know that I know that I know that Jesus was speaking to me. He wasn't just telling me that He loves me; He was saying that He is with me, right where I am, right where He will be bringing me.
There are times it seems that we have been running for a long time for a long distance and we suddenly feel so tired of everything in life. We look at others and we start to compare. We wonder how it would be for us if we were at where others are. We ponder about how it would be if we were at a different environment. But we don't really have the answers. I didn't have the answers, and I don't think I ever will, but I knew it deep down inside that it was never meant to be. I would rather be at a place where I know the Lord is with me than at where it seems good to human standards but it's not God's will for me.
Just want to encourage you, deep down inside you will find the answers, because God reveals them to you.
Verse to Remember:
"Then you will call upon me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord…” -- Jeremiah 29:12-14
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The Best is Yet to Come
Keep Your Fork -- Author Unknown
There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and was given 3 months to live. As she began getting her things 'in order', she called her pastor and asked for him to come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she wanted read, and what dress she wanted to be buried in. She also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible in her left hand.
Everything was in order and as the pastor was preparing to leave, the woman suddenly remembered one final request that was very important to her. "Please Pastor, just one more thing," she said excitedly. "Sure, what is it?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important to me," the woman continued ... "I want to be buried holding a fork in my right hand." The pastor gazed at the woman, at a loss for words.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. The pastor replied "Well to be quite honest, I am puzzled by the request".
The woman explained. "You see, Pastor, in all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I remember that when the dishes were being cleared after the main course, someone would inevitably lean over to me and say, 'Keep your fork' ... it was my favorite part of the meal because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep dish apple pie. Something wonderful to end the meal!"
The pastor listened intently and a smile came upon his face. The woman continued, "So, I just want people to see me there with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ... 'What's with the fork?'... then I want you to tell them: "Keep your Fork ... the best is yet to come".
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew that this would be one of the last times that he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of Heaven than he did.
She knew and trusted that the best was yet to come. At the funeral, everyone who walked by the woman's casket saw her wearing a beautiful dress with her favorite Bible held in her left hand and a fork held in her right hand.
Over and over the pastor heard people ask the question, "Why is she holding a fork?" and his smile began to get larger and brighter each time.
During his message, the pastor told the people about the conversation that he had with the woman shortly before she died. He explained the fork and what it symbolized to her. The Pastor told everyone how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share... being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
Quote to remember:
Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind. -- C. S. Lewis
There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and was given 3 months to live. As she began getting her things 'in order', she called her pastor and asked for him to come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she wanted read, and what dress she wanted to be buried in. She also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible in her left hand.
Everything was in order and as the pastor was preparing to leave, the woman suddenly remembered one final request that was very important to her. "Please Pastor, just one more thing," she said excitedly. "Sure, what is it?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important to me," the woman continued ... "I want to be buried holding a fork in my right hand." The pastor gazed at the woman, at a loss for words.
"That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. The pastor replied "Well to be quite honest, I am puzzled by the request".
The woman explained. "You see, Pastor, in all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners, I remember that when the dishes were being cleared after the main course, someone would inevitably lean over to me and say, 'Keep your fork' ... it was my favorite part of the meal because I knew that something better was coming, like velvety chocolate cake or deep dish apple pie. Something wonderful to end the meal!"
The pastor listened intently and a smile came upon his face. The woman continued, "So, I just want people to see me there with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder ... 'What's with the fork?'... then I want you to tell them: "Keep your Fork ... the best is yet to come".
The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman good-bye. He knew that this would be one of the last times that he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of Heaven than he did.
She knew and trusted that the best was yet to come. At the funeral, everyone who walked by the woman's casket saw her wearing a beautiful dress with her favorite Bible held in her left hand and a fork held in her right hand.
Over and over the pastor heard people ask the question, "Why is she holding a fork?" and his smile began to get larger and brighter each time.
During his message, the pastor told the people about the conversation that he had with the woman shortly before she died. He explained the fork and what it symbolized to her. The Pastor told everyone how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.
He was right. So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us. Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be their time to "Keep your fork."
Cherish the time you have, and the memories you share... being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet responsibility.
Quote to remember:
Has this world been so kind to you that you should leave with regret? There are better things ahead than any we leave behind. -- C. S. Lewis
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Blessed 2009
It's been another year, a year of great and awesome blessings if you choose to look at the good things that had happened and give thanks to the Lord; but it was also a year of ups and downs, challenges and difficult times. Praise God, I'm still right here, at where I am, whole and well, more blessed than a lot of people in the world. Hallelujah!
Someone once said a statement that took me quite a while to fully understand and agree with it, but I finally did. It was about Fact and Truth. Both can be true, 100%, without bias, but it's what you choose to believe and put your faith on that really matters.
The FACT is, the economy is bad. Market is slow and dwindling downwards. Recession hits the shore and will be more evident than ever in less than 3 months' time. Job security wavers. Money shrinks and devalues. This will eventually lead to social instability.
But the TRUTH is, God's promises are real and will never be slow to materialise. He is the Provider and is unlimited. In Him there is no lack, no poverty. In Him there is security and peace. He is in control.
Hence, I will rejoice. Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless His holy name! Because of His faithfulness and loving kindness. Because He gives a promise and He remembers it. And simply because He is God.
It has been a year of learning, of struggling, of humbling, equipping, waiting... It has been a year full of transitions and of letting go to acquire the new. It has been a year that challenges for commitment and decisions made from the heart. I've not seen another rainbow, though for the past months I have been silently praying in my heart that God would show it again. When the going gets tough and I really just want to give it all up, doubt sets in and faith doesn't rise up, His grace is sufficient for me and His strength is made perfect in my weakness. His promise is the same, and I want to remember it, I want to know that it is a surety of His goodness, and I believe that He is the Beginner and Finisher of my faith. He has begun this good work in me, and He shall bring it to completion.
I'm moving into a new phase, a new stage of development. I can feel it in my spirit that I'm in for something great that the Lord would enable me to do it. But I've got to take the first step of forgetting the old to acquire the new. Isaiah 43:18 -19 says: "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
And after putting away the old, this is what Apostle Paul urged us to do in Philippians 3:13-15 "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you."
Year 2009 shall be a year of action, not stagnation. It shall be a year of looking unto Jesus, who beckons us to step out of the boat into the storm to where He stands with open arms, ready to embrace us as we trust Him to walk on raging seas. It shall be a year of rejoicing in the Lord, praying unceasingly and giving thanks to Him with supplication. May His peace that surpasses all understanding guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, as we brace ourselves to face it all.
So come what may, I have Jesus!
Someone once said a statement that took me quite a while to fully understand and agree with it, but I finally did. It was about Fact and Truth. Both can be true, 100%, without bias, but it's what you choose to believe and put your faith on that really matters.
The FACT is, the economy is bad. Market is slow and dwindling downwards. Recession hits the shore and will be more evident than ever in less than 3 months' time. Job security wavers. Money shrinks and devalues. This will eventually lead to social instability.
But the TRUTH is, God's promises are real and will never be slow to materialise. He is the Provider and is unlimited. In Him there is no lack, no poverty. In Him there is security and peace. He is in control.
Hence, I will rejoice. Bless the Lord, O my soul, bless His holy name! Because of His faithfulness and loving kindness. Because He gives a promise and He remembers it. And simply because He is God.
It has been a year of learning, of struggling, of humbling, equipping, waiting... It has been a year full of transitions and of letting go to acquire the new. It has been a year that challenges for commitment and decisions made from the heart. I've not seen another rainbow, though for the past months I have been silently praying in my heart that God would show it again. When the going gets tough and I really just want to give it all up, doubt sets in and faith doesn't rise up, His grace is sufficient for me and His strength is made perfect in my weakness. His promise is the same, and I want to remember it, I want to know that it is a surety of His goodness, and I believe that He is the Beginner and Finisher of my faith. He has begun this good work in me, and He shall bring it to completion.
I'm moving into a new phase, a new stage of development. I can feel it in my spirit that I'm in for something great that the Lord would enable me to do it. But I've got to take the first step of forgetting the old to acquire the new. Isaiah 43:18 -19 says: "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert."
And after putting away the old, this is what Apostle Paul urged us to do in Philippians 3:13-15 "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you."
Year 2009 shall be a year of action, not stagnation. It shall be a year of looking unto Jesus, who beckons us to step out of the boat into the storm to where He stands with open arms, ready to embrace us as we trust Him to walk on raging seas. It shall be a year of rejoicing in the Lord, praying unceasingly and giving thanks to Him with supplication. May His peace that surpasses all understanding guard our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, as we brace ourselves to face it all.
So come what may, I have Jesus!
Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Rainbow
This blog is named 'The Rainbow of Promise' for many reasons. This account of God's glorious presence and faithful promise is one of it.
I graduated and started working in June 2007 as a junior executive in a Public Relations agency. It's a tough job, very stressful and highly demanding for a fresh-grad like me. I'm still in this job as I'm writing this, not because of anything else but God's grace.
The first three months of the job was really challenging as I tried to adapt to the new phase of life. It was not encouraging when I saw some of my colleagues leaving for various reasons. One particular colleague who was close to me said that she was going to resign because she found the job unsuitable for her. I was very sad when I heard this, because she was like a partner in the job.
At that point, I too, began to ask myself whether this job was really suitable for me. I knew I had asked God to bless me with a good job and a good future, but was this really it? Is this where I really want to be? Is this the dream that I am pursuing? If not, what is my passion and how to I get there from where I am now? There were a lot of questions and uncertainty in me.
But it was at this time that the Lord have spoke this verse to me: Jeremiah 29:11–14a “For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord…”
And He also said to me, “Stick onto Me, I will bless you.”
At first, I could not understand much of it. I have always known that the Lord is interested in my life and will bless me with a good future. And I was already sticking to the Lord – I was drawing myself close to him in prayer and worship. So I asked the Lord, “God, I will stick to You. My future is in Your hands. But Lord, will You please let me know if this is where You want me to be? And if Your answer is yes, will you please show me a sign? Could I please see a rainbow in the sky?”
It has always been in my understanding that rainbow symbolises God's promise. In the Bible, God showed Noah a rainbow after the 40 days and 40 nights of the great flood, as a sign of covenant between Himself and the earth that there will never be such a flood ever again. "The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." (Gen 9:16)
However, rainbows are rarely seen on KL skies, being quite a polluted city. I knew that I have asked something that was definitely going to be God's miracle working.
A few days after this prayer, my colleague gave the resignation letter, and I felt very helpless and despair again. I broke down in tears, but it was in tears that I found assurance from the Lord again. The Lord impressed deeply upon my heart that if I would just stick onto Him, He will surely bless me. I purposed in my heart that day to choose the more difficult choice of staying on in the company, even though I would be the only junior left.
On that day, when I was on my way home after work, it was drizzling on my side of the city, but I saw that there was sunshine on the other side of the city. The Lord quickened my mind, and as I turned to look behind me, behold, there was the huge beautiful rainbow in the shape of an arch, clear and displaying its splendour against the grey sky! Silently, I thanked the Lord in my heart as I stared in awe (and in tears) of His wonderful creation.
Although from that point onwards I still faced a lot of challenges and difficult times at work, the Lord also added strength to endure and to embrace along with the promise of rainbow. I understood that He was training and equipping me for greater things to come.
Truly, the promises of God are faithful, He will never leave us nor forsake us, but He will surely bless us if we would just stick onto to Him. As I held on to God’s promises, things took a positive turn and became better. I experienced His joy and peace as He took over my concerns.
Lord, I will always remember this promise -- Your rainbow of promise.
I graduated and started working in June 2007 as a junior executive in a Public Relations agency. It's a tough job, very stressful and highly demanding for a fresh-grad like me. I'm still in this job as I'm writing this, not because of anything else but God's grace.
The first three months of the job was really challenging as I tried to adapt to the new phase of life. It was not encouraging when I saw some of my colleagues leaving for various reasons. One particular colleague who was close to me said that she was going to resign because she found the job unsuitable for her. I was very sad when I heard this, because she was like a partner in the job.
At that point, I too, began to ask myself whether this job was really suitable for me. I knew I had asked God to bless me with a good job and a good future, but was this really it? Is this where I really want to be? Is this the dream that I am pursuing? If not, what is my passion and how to I get there from where I am now? There were a lot of questions and uncertainty in me.
But it was at this time that the Lord have spoke this verse to me: Jeremiah 29:11–14a “For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord…”
And He also said to me, “Stick onto Me, I will bless you.”
At first, I could not understand much of it. I have always known that the Lord is interested in my life and will bless me with a good future. And I was already sticking to the Lord – I was drawing myself close to him in prayer and worship. So I asked the Lord, “God, I will stick to You. My future is in Your hands. But Lord, will You please let me know if this is where You want me to be? And if Your answer is yes, will you please show me a sign? Could I please see a rainbow in the sky?”
It has always been in my understanding that rainbow symbolises God's promise. In the Bible, God showed Noah a rainbow after the 40 days and 40 nights of the great flood, as a sign of covenant between Himself and the earth that there will never be such a flood ever again. "The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." (Gen 9:16)
However, rainbows are rarely seen on KL skies, being quite a polluted city. I knew that I have asked something that was definitely going to be God's miracle working.
A few days after this prayer, my colleague gave the resignation letter, and I felt very helpless and despair again. I broke down in tears, but it was in tears that I found assurance from the Lord again. The Lord impressed deeply upon my heart that if I would just stick onto Him, He will surely bless me. I purposed in my heart that day to choose the more difficult choice of staying on in the company, even though I would be the only junior left.
On that day, when I was on my way home after work, it was drizzling on my side of the city, but I saw that there was sunshine on the other side of the city. The Lord quickened my mind, and as I turned to look behind me, behold, there was the huge beautiful rainbow in the shape of an arch, clear and displaying its splendour against the grey sky! Silently, I thanked the Lord in my heart as I stared in awe (and in tears) of His wonderful creation.
Although from that point onwards I still faced a lot of challenges and difficult times at work, the Lord also added strength to endure and to embrace along with the promise of rainbow. I understood that He was training and equipping me for greater things to come.
Truly, the promises of God are faithful, He will never leave us nor forsake us, but He will surely bless us if we would just stick onto to Him. As I held on to God’s promises, things took a positive turn and became better. I experienced His joy and peace as He took over my concerns.
Lord, I will always remember this promise -- Your rainbow of promise.
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