How do you use your time?

[This morning while clearing files in my computer, I found this note written about 3 months ago…]

“Money can buy time.” A rich guy once told me.

If you travel by public bus, it may take you 70 minutes of travelling time. But if you drive, it will take you a shorter time.

OK. I don’t dispute that. But what do you do with that extra time? Use that time to make more money?

A few days ago, my car’s air conditioner broke down and I have to send the car to the garage and was told to leave the car overnight. “Why do these inconveniences have to be on me?” I murmured to no one in particular. Maybe God heard it, I am sure. In my heart, I confess I am a bit angry at Him. For many years, I have not taken public bus home and also to go to work.

It was a renewed experience.

I needed to walk for about 400m to the bus stop from office. The bus came and I had to run to the bus stop, not wanting to miss it. Now, I saw so many faces, old and young. Many were deep in their own thoughts. Most of them were working classes. An old lady who got up the bus almost fell when the bus jerked. Some passengers then stretched out to support her. The bus driver stopped, turned back to check the safety of the old lady. I could not hear what he said as I have already moved right to the back of the bus. I think he made an apology. I could see the caring hearts of passengers, even the bus driver himself. Riding on the bus, I could for the first time looked at the surrounding building, the people walking on the streets and the shops along the way. Why didn’t I notice the buildings and the simple lives of people?

Did I miss anything, if I drive my car to work and home everyday? How little of the common folks that I loose touch. Life on the fast lane keeps one away from the grass roots, blind to the common people. Riding on bus, I could rest, reflect, enjoy the scene outside and pray silently. Consider it as a waste of time if you must, but I feel good to pause, observe and think. Best of all my heart begins to touch base with the people. I have been contemplating for a long time whether I am suitable for charitable work. This bus ride helped me to see where my heart is. Then it suddenly dawns on me. Perhaps … God planned all this.

Sure, I saved a total of about 80 minutes everyday, 400 minutes a week (5 working days); 20,800 minutes or about 347 hours a year. I must have saved 290 days since I started driving. That is almost a year. What have I used that amount of time saved for? Nothing much, maybe using that extra time to sit longer in front of the TV.

Perhaps, it’s time to consider driving the BMW – Bus, MRT, Walk since COE is now so high and my car is near expiry.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12)

Agape

Reflections on Bethany Camp 2013

Thank you – Constance, Diana, Jenny and Diane for all your heartfelt sharing during the many devotions and group discussions. Your openness has made my task as the group leader much easier!

It has been more than a month since the camp ended. Looking back, it all started sometime early this year when I told God during one morning devotion: “God, if someone from Bethany invited me to the June camp, I will join them.” When we pray, God works. And so …

Thrust suddenly into the forefront as a group leader has caught me unprepared. “Hey! I am supposed to be here to relax and fellowship, not to resuscitate my mind and time to prepare Bible studies.” Thankfully the sisters in the group are more than supportive in all their sharing, games and even the creative night. Rev Henry Hong, was our star in the skit!!

 I want to share 2 simple applications that I have taken with me from this camp. These are the areas that I will work on for the rest of my life:

1. The heart of the Father

The well known story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) was shared from the father’s perspective. It is now the story of the prodigal Father. God is overly indulgence in giving love.

It reminds me to extend love, forgiveness and be gracious to people around me, those who desperately trying to squeeze into my lanes, to those who are aggressive in speech, to humble workers in my office and the common people that cross my path daily.

I am learning to hold everything “lightly”. A broken life is one that holds no grudges; no covetousness; freely receive, freely give. It embraces the simple life.

2. Live with simple prayers 

The story of the 3 hermits by Leo Tolstoy will perhaps resonate with us for a long long time.

We campers will remember the prayer of the 3 Hermits: “Three of YOU, three of us, have mercy on us”. It does not matter whether we pray well with the Lord’s prayer or the simple hermit’s prayer, everyone prayed differently and it doesn’t matter how we pray. But it is the desire to pray from the heart that matter and that prayer draws our lives closer to God.

When it gets tough, don’t do it alone! Pray in all circumstances, in all your daily duties, chores and work. Pray and you will see the hand of God at works. Attitude will change. Faith will rise up. Pray in the Spirit, pray in tongues, pray in faith! Pray also when you feel the lack of faith.

This is one nice song that we learnt during the camp – The Millenium Prayer: I am learning to memorise the lyrics.

Agape



Reduce stress will improve happiness

Would you give up your stressful job and take up a easier job with lesser pay?

That was what my cell leader’s wife did. She may be the wife of the leader, but she is actually leading the cell, sharing and praying for the members. As such, last Friday, she share with the group that she gave up a higher pay job and asked to be the receptionist of the bank that she is presently working. Finally, the management agreed even though she is in her early fifty. Receptionists are usually the pretty young ones, as she said.

Today, I look around my workplace and ask myself who are the happiest people around. It is usually the workers with the least stress jobs. They have the least responsibility. The just do what is told, mingle freely with one another and when the time is out, you could hear them laughing as they leave the office. True, their pay is low but sufficient to keep life going.

To these workers, I see this in their lives:  Sufficient – stress = happiness

For the higher management, including me, our works are the most stressful. We encounter all the problems of the whole company and have to be on our toes to make sure everything is resolved. We need to keep the company profitable to avoid retrenching staff. Of course, we take the highest salary. In that sense, we may be seen as the rich. We fall into this category: Rich + highly stressed = misery

So, the inner voice in me reminded me to “reduce stress”. Isaiah 30:18 then came to my mind.

Therefore, the Lord waits to be gracious to you. Therefore, he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are those who wait for him

Resting on His promise and seeking after God is my way to reduce stress. The greatest joy in my life is to see Him answering my prayers for the past few months. How His healing power came upon me and removed my physical pain that was sustained due to a fall.

Thank you, Lord for your promise in Isa 30:18.

Agape