Planting A Seed

Today was an eventful day. First, I went out with my Christian Fellowship pals to tour part of Penang. The taking pictures and food aside, I really enjoy being with them. Also, the event provided a platform for me to get to know the seniors and fellow batch mates in a deeper way. While there were barriers previously, I suppose they have been broken down or damaged heavily. Probably one more critical hit to seal the deal! Man, I miss games. :D

The new family. :)

After the morning's activity, I went to the Youth Meeting. Feeling a bit tired, a 2-hour nap would have been great but I'm quite glad I went anyway. The sharing struck deep into my heart. It was about planting that important seed in your non-Christian friend that God can only grow and bear fruit.

The Seed of the Gospel.

To be honest, I was feeling a bit proud when he introduced the topic as 'Evangelism' because I had shared the gospel with two of my friends and also brought them to Captain Ball to play with fellow believers, so I thought I was doing well enough already. Then Kah Wei (speaker) said,

"Some of us think that by bringing our friends to a church event then the seed has already been planted and we're fine already, but it's not."

Uh-oh. That wasn't all.

"Also, some of us think by sharing the gospel once then all is fine too."

As I was writing the notes down, I was actually attempting to hide my face rather than jotting down notes as the sharing went on. All previous confidence was shattered within minutes. He continued,

"When you bring your friend to the event and the gospel is shared, does he know the gospel well? If he doesn't, then the seed is not planted. When you share the gospel with him, do you think he grasps the whole gospel truly? If he doesn't, then the seed is not yet planted, and you still owe him that seed."

He made me realise that evangelism isn't so much about blurting out the whole Bible or Two Ways to Live, but letting them understand why we are in separation from God, why we need a Saviour, and what God came to do. Only then, a seed is planted in the heart. Another reminder came as well,

"Remember also to plant the right seed of the gospel in the right place, and that requires the farmer to know the seed well himself."

Still got lots to do and to learn. By His strength I will. :)

P.S: Just saw on Facebook, my friend 

just became a dad. Yay for him!

Funny!

I find it funny how after the serious post titled The Decision, the latest chatbox comment asks whether I kuat makan or not. :D

The Decision

Sometimes I just wish I have more of myself rather than more time to do more things. Being in USM for the 4th week, it has been a time of setting priorities; which to commit, which to leave behind, which church to go, what to do at this time. Things like that.

During that 4-week period, I've come to realised that there are many things I want to join or do (24 seasons drum, Christian Fellowship, debate, church activities) and also time is no friend of mine. I suppose this dilemma is present for all since we all share the 24-hour cycle, but for me (and Christians perhaps), things are a little different.

Having a higher authority over me, I owe God my service.

By service, it means to be faithful to His work and be an active participant in whatever measure I can.

By service, it means to devote time to His work.

By service, it means to leave your interests, no matter how big they are, to do His work.

By service, it means God is first, and you are second.

It took me a while to cope with that, with thoughts like; 

God wouldn't make me sacrifice my interests for His sake.

God would surely leave some time for me to use right?

Surely I can have freedom over what I want to do.

These thoughts were, at the least, self-centred. Having committed myself to Him, I suppose it is only right that His work be first over my interests. God isn't being mean by making me do so, He just deserves it.

The moment I accepted the privilege of being His son, I accepted also the responsibility that came;

Him first, everything else second. 

I've learned that when there are conflicts of interests between these two, I need to select the one that best benefits God, not me. Tough lesson, but valuable nonetheless.

Not like God preferred His own interests over mine when He sent Jesus to die for my sins anyway.