The theme verse that I chose for this year is from 2 Corinthians 12:9 & 10:
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
This verse is the underlying principle in everything that I have learned this year. Through our assignments and classes; through community life, study projects and seminars; through our field trips and special events; through our role as leaders; through the calling to which we have been called, Christ’s sufficiency is a lesson that I have learned and am learning, and I am confident that it is something that I will continue to learn through Christ’s revelation in my life.

In the book of Hebrews, I learned to consider Jesus in all of my situations. In Chapter 1 verse 2, it says, “in these last days [He] has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.” After the Law and the Prophets, God has been proclaiming His message to us in Christ. He is the final message of salvation, and so, I should pay close attention to Him. In Chapter 2, verse 1 and 3, it says, “For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it… [for] how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” So in light of God’s truths and revelation to me, I should consider Him, although not just when times are bad or when I am in need, but in all things and all circumstances. What this leads to is rest, which is not inaction, but merely a change of activity, from relying on myself – again, in the bad and the good – to relying on Christ. Chapter 4, verse 10 and 11 says, “for the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.”

Considering Jesus is important, because in Romans, I learned that I have nothing in and of myself to ever please God. It says in Romans 2:3, “But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgement on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgement of God? Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” I still need Jesus. I will continue to need Him for as long as the flesh is in me. In chapter 7, verse 24, Paul writes, “wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death?” Christ’s life: His message of righteousness, leads me to realize my deficiencies in light of His abilities. He is the only one righteous who can make me acceptable to a Holy God. In Romans 8 verse 1-3, it says “therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh.” So there is hope in Jesus! In fact, our only hope is in Jesus. In Hebrews 12, verse 1 – 3, it says “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Considering Jesus leads me to learning how to set priorities. One of the areas where God was revealing Himself to me is in my school work. Though I once thought of myself as a good worker, I realized that what I was able to produce was not the only thing that was important. It wasn’t that I did not get the work done in time, but rather, I chose to delay and procrastinate, until I had not other choice than to complete the task. 2 Timothy 2:4 is a verse that addresses this. It speaks of a soldier in active service who does not entangle himself in the affairs of everyday life, for while the affairs of everyday life may not be wrong, it just is not a part of active service. And what we are called to is that active service, to which we must wholly devote ourselves to. It is about learning to do the right thing at the right time: a priority set for my activities.

Another area I learned to set priority is in my relationships with others. I found this in learning what true friendship is. Jesus tells us clearly what the priority must be. We get a picture of what friendship means to Jesus in two verses. In John 15:14, Jesus says, “You are My friends if you obey My commandments.” And in John 14:15, He says, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” What He is saying is that Friendship to Him and Loving Him both mean that we obey His commandments. This leads us to the principle that our friendship to Him is the same as our love for Him. Our priority then in friendship is this Love that we should have for one another. In John 5:13, Jesus explains what this love is to be, “greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” Our priority in friendship, and in our relationships is a sacrificial love. A love is seen in our preference of another, as it says in Romans 12:9-13, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”

So what that this sacrificial love mean? A love that is devoted to one another demands a cost to oneself. Although, in fact, it is not cost but, when in it is done in generosity – that is giving in an attitude of faith and trust in God – it is an investment in other people’s lives. Concerning the Sabbath year and the year of Jubilee, God instructs the Israelites to be generous in their giving, which is in accordance to how He has blessed them; to completely forgive each other’s debts; and to be sure that there are no one poor in the land. This generosity is a practical way of looking at sacrificial love: preferring others. But the wonderful thing is that in this, God does not ask the Israelites to blindly and foolishly give away all of their possessions. Though He demands a liberal generosity, He has a plan to provide for those who are going to choose to be obedient, and be trusting. Imagine the bumper crop of those who plan to trust in God to stop sowing and reaping, and give their land rest. Imagine the sustenance for those who plan to trust in God to forgive all the debt against them, and those who plan to release their slaves with a liberal portion of their belongings. God gives in abundance to those who will choose to yield to His work in them. In 2 Timothy 2:6, it says, “the hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.” And in Galatians 6:7-8, it says, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” We will reap what we sow: good, or evil; want, or abundance.

God’s grace in my life is a distinct and noticeable difference to others. In Genesis 1:27, our purpose in life is stated, and that is that we are to be in His image. But our flesh has corrupted this, and so, as I realized in Romans, I need Christ to restore me back to my original purpose in Life. What I must have then, is that distinct identity of being a witness for Christ. In Jeremiah 29, God, through Jeremiah, is addressing the Israelites, and is instructing them regarding their captivity in Babylon. As the Israelites were in Babylon, aliens, so also are we in this world. But God has placed us here and called us to be His witnesses. So, in verses 5 to 7 says, “build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf for in its welfare you will have welfare.” Jeremiah tells them to settle down. This is indication that I should not be continuously looking towards what is in heaven, and thus be belligerent or even apathetic towards this world. I should be prepared to live here until He calls me back home. He then teaches that I should go beyond and even seek the welfare of the world.

The line to be drawn, however, is in learning not to love the world. It says in James 4:4, “you adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” I realize that while I am to settle down in the world, and to seek its welfare, that I should not be serving the world. This worldly attitude is not found in specific actions, but in an attitude and acceptance of the “spirit of the age.” As I said before I need to be distinct, because the culture I live in should not be defining the Life of Christ in me. For this, Jesus left the resources, so that I can be His light. Jesus says in John 18:14-5 that He has left us with God’s word, and that He has asked God to protect us from the evil one, for we are not of this world, as Christ was not. Therefore, we will be sanctified, used for our purpose of being the Image of God, in His truth. All of this is expressed in His joy being made complete in us. Joy is not an emotion, it is not a feeling, but rather an expression of gratitude in all circumstances. God’s grace allows this, as He allowed it with Job, who was able to say, even in the his lowest moment, “the Lord has given and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Christ is more than enough for me! That’s His sufficiency. He is more than enough to conquer my worries and fears. It says in 1 Peter 5:6-7, “therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” I learned that worry is no match for our Lord. He is my salvation in times of need (Exodus 14:13), He is my courage in times of fear (Isaiah 35:4), He is my consolation when anxious thoughts multiply within me (Psalms 94:19), and He is the perfect love who abides in me and casts out all fear (1 John 4:18). This is amplified in practicality as the rigors of life sometimes seem to be too much to handle. A clear example of this is just during the past two weeks when I was sick with the flu. With all the activities going on to be worried about – seminars, study projects and youth retreat prep, I have no choice but to conclude that Christ’s sufficiency was working in me, to handle my fears and anxiety, but more than that, in my weakness, to show His strength at work. Though terribly ill, I was able to lead that seminar, complete my study project meetings and my prep work for youth retreat. But again, it wasn’t me, but Christ in me. Christ who sustained me. Christ who was enough for me.

So His grace, which is sufficient for me, reminds me to consider Him in all circumstance – for if I consider Him, and I will enter rest; calls me to set my priorities on Him – for what I sow I will reap; and completes me in His joy, for that is the distinction made in me as His witness in this world. Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counsellor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again: For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living an holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. I will, Lord. I leave all me to do as You please. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Amen.

I woke up really late this morning… Late that is to my normal start. My alarm went off at 6:15AM cause I set it for that. But when I woke up, I remembered that I already showered the night before, on the chance that the water pressure was going to be low again this morning, so I decided I had to for a couple of minutes more of some shut-eye.. not really sleep, but I think I fell asleep anyway cause I woke up and it was 6:37. Well, that meant I had to jump off my bed, hastily fix my sheets, brush my teeth and run down to do my duty. *Sigh, I was late again. Late enough that I didn’t even say anything when Adam came in late for his duty. Toast went well though. I don’t know if I just felt rushed because I was 5 minutes behind, but I finished 5 minutes ahead. Such a freaking hard duty, with all those things to balance, putting toast in the toaster, then buttering them, then taking them to the heating oven. It’s crazy indeed, but quite manageable. I’m not that sad that I only have 4 days left of it though.

Stupid thing that happened then, even though I was down super early for breakfast, I still forgot I was hosting the dining lounge. Idiot! Even stupider was that I only realized it when Ralf started praying in the dining room, and I got up and ran to the lounge. It was too late already, but fortunately, Ted was there to pray for the meal. I sat in there, the first time in a few weeks. Guess I have to sit in there every breakfast this week, though I really don’t feel like doing it. I guess it’s a good thing, I really should be reaching out to those guys anyway. Wish I had the guts Ted has, then I’d be in there anyway. But meh, I think I’m too hot-headed anyways to be in there, though it was pretty quiet in there for a while.. until all the late comers came though, then it was back to normal. But when it came time for announcements, it wasn’t that hard to get their attention, guess it’s a morning thing.

After breakfast was a quick LTS meeting, then I decided I didn’t need to go back to my cabin. Guess I won’t need to do that at all this week cause I have private study here. So I went up to the email room and read some email. I found that I’ve been added to this group called SolomonsLip, I don’t know who added it, but it ticked me off a bit. Good thing it was my public email and not my private one, then I’d really be mad. Oh add to that that my dad sent me my itinerary for my flight back home in May. Man! $300 on the ticket! I told him I’d buy it 2 weeks ago when it was cheaper, but no, he wanted to hold out in case it’d get cheaper, too bad it got more expensive. Airline tickets are crazy how they fluctuate. Anyway, back to the SolomonsLip thing, I read a few things real quick, and I found them pretty interesting. So instead of writing a strongly worded letter to the moderator, I decided to participate in the group… at least until I aggravate them. Then I’d probably be kicked off. But meh, I started light, not that my goal is to aggravate them. I got into a discussion about the Word of God and how people *need* it to be saved. Well I put my two cents in… Romans 1:20, God has clearly revealed Himself… The written word used to reveal the Living Word. Hopefully it helped. I’m excited to get into this discussion, maybe I can minister to some of them in some way.

Now I’m in my room supposed to be doing my final assignment. I figure I need to slow down to “use my time wisely” cause I’m really just going too fast. I need to discipline myself in two ways… not just finishing it all in one go, while not procrastinating. I’m real interested to see how I do in university. I’m actually excited, seeing how God has worked in me to plant in me this sense of discipline with my studies. It’ll be a lot different than High School for sure!

Meh, I need to change my music. Michael Buble hasn’t left my CD player in a week, and I really am craving for something else. But I feel really sophisticated when I listen him. Hah. It’s stupid.. But yeah, here it goes…

To much to say… Not enough time. I already missed the last ferry, meh I had alot to catch up on over here. But yeah. It’s all good. Philippines… Youth Retreat.. This whole year in general, which is under review right now, for my final assignment. That’s generally where my thoughts dwell on these days. Yeah, there’s some excitement about coming home, back to Toronto finally… And for good, I suppose. University of Toronto. Fun, I’m settling down. I feel like a bachelor on his wedding night. So this is when the adventure ends. *sigh* LOL No, just kidding. It’s not like that. Just another place, a whole other set of situation. Just another context to serve the Lord. Yeah, I’m excited! But for now.. on to my final summary. Be back on soon…