"Turn left..." "No...turn right..." "Keep to this lane and look out for the sign boards.." "Watch out....you are too fast!" "Hey, you are too close to the car in front!" "Be careful...you are too close to the lamp post.." "Phew...that was close..."
Does these lines sound familiar to you? Whenever there are more than 1 drivers in a car, the above scenerio are bound to happen. Those were some of the remarks that I made while training my new collegue for the first time - driving our church's van. My heart was beating so quickly whenever I felt that she was driving too close to a car or to a lamp post by the road side. My right leg was even stepping on the invisible breaks at the passenger's seat. It was really a tension time both for me and my new collegue as we took the first ride in the church van where she was behind the wheels. Phew...am I glad that now she's able to handle the van pretty well while I'm learning to be a silent and trusting passenger (who sometimes still do step on the invisible breaks).
As I recall the above experience, I just cannot help relating it to our daily lives. Our life on this earth is indeed a journey - a journey of adventure, uncertainties, joy and laughters, heartaches and pain, challenges and struggles, victories and failures. Our life journey starts from the day that we were conceived and it will end when we come face to face with our physical death. However, the ending of our life's journey on this earth marks a new begining of another journey - life in eternity.
In every journey of life that we take, there are always roadsigns that we can lookout for. Some are more visible while others are discovered through the different mistakes and lessons learnt in life. I've learnt so much in this few years in my life's journey. I've come to a realization that my journey of faith is equally real and important. There were times when every fibre of my being was filled with love and excitement for God. But, there were many times when the journey of faith seems to be so dry and draggy. However, it's through this low seasons of my faith's journey with Jesus that I learnt these 3 important truths..
1. Cling tightly to my Faith (1 Tim 1:9)
- I've realized that along my faith's journey there are many battles that I need to fight - one of them is my personal faith and relationship with God. But, as I continue to search scriptures for something to hold on to, I found the encouragement that young Timothy received from Paul - CLING TIGHTLY to your Faith!
- I then realized that a deeper understanding of the word 'commitment' is needed in order to cling on to my faith. The commitment that I made at the age of 9 years old in saying "YES to Jesus!" must be followed through till the the end even in the lowest season of my faith's journey.
2. Fight the good fight of Faith (1 Tim 6:12)
- Besides clinging on to my faith, I've learnt (and am still learning) the need to rise up and fight the good fight of faith whenever I need to. Learning to shift from the defensive gear to the offensive gear in order to stand up for what and whom I believe in - Jesus, my savior.
3. Guard my Faith (2 Tim 1:14)
- The tendency for many of us to give up on our faith when the going get toughs can be so real and strong at times. But, I've learnt and experience a very simple truth - NO ONE can take away anything from me if I guard it with all my heart..YES! NO ONE! Not even the devil. (he's not so powerful afterall)
- There's yet another greater truth that I've learnt and experience - God has given me the strength, the grace and the power that is sufficient to help guard the most precious thing in my life: my Faith in Jesus!
Everything around us at this point of time is drastically changing...Many things that were once solid and firm are now being shaken. Our journey of faith seems to be getting tougher too.. However, don't loose heart, don't loose hope.. You and I, we are not alone in this journey of faith..We have many who has gone before us and has completed the race as faithful stewarts of God. I know that I'm not alone in this journey because there are many who are travelling on this journey of faith and we are all learning to Cling Tightly, to Fight the Good Fight and to Guard our Faith. Come join me in this exciting journey...let's walk together and let's finish our journey of faith together!
Take Heart! Be Strong! YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Look around you and you will be able to find many like you and me who are determined to stay focus and keep running till we finish the race faithfully! CHEERS!
