Every Blessing

On the library lawn.

Especially in the last few months, I've been realising how incredibly blessed I am. I have just so much to give thanks to God for.

I've started out my job with the Sydney Diocesan Secretariat & I really enjoy working there. The people are lovely, we work but have lots of good fun getting to know each other, having morning & arvo tea together, & even praying before team meetings. I hope I pass the 3 months of probation here.

Xuan & I at the Commerce courtyard.

My parents also came down from Singapore for my graduation yesterday. It was a gorgeous sunny day for it & I rejoiced at having my family with me to celebrate. Bumped into a number of friends to take some photos... just a great time to remember my days at UNSW & CBS.

And to add to all of that... my parents bought me a car! A nice light blue Honda Jazz. Hayley wants to name it Jacinta... but we'll see... hehe.

I am reminded that everything I have is a blessing from God... lots of things which I often take for granted. I don't acknowledge Him as much as I should, but yet He chooses to lavish upon me so many good things.

James 1:17-18 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

But I'm also reminded of God's ultimate good gift in sending Jesus, His Son. In Christ, we have every blessing we could possibly imagine. Blessings which we don't deserve & don't even think are important -- grace... adoption... redemption... forgiveness. All to fulfill His ultimate purpose in having all things under the lordship of Christ.

Eph 1:3-10 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

How rich are God's blessings found in Jesus. They are much more valuable than any of the earthly blessings we have. He has chosen to lavish them upon us... these blessings are for everyone. All you have to do is to acknowledge the giver.

Like Moses

I've always known that I'm not one with words. As eloquent as I try to be, I find myself stumbling over words, stuttering or struggling to find the right words to express myself. Sometimes I wonder if I come across as a babbling idiot when I talk to people.

Maybe it's a sign of a lack of confidence? Or maybe it's just the way God has created me to be. Maybe I should see a speech pathologist or something...

But I wonder how this lack of eloquence might deter me from doing Word ministry. How can I explain the gospel or answer difficult questions if I can't express myself clearly to others? I stumble over just the casual chit-chat with friends. It's more prevalent when I'm a little intimidated or uncomfortable, or when talking to people who do have a right way with words. It's quite disappointing because all I want is for my lips to speak the truth in love & for my words to honour God.

Then I think of Moses' meeting with God at he burning bush:
Exo 4:10-12 But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue."
Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?
Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak."

I know God can use me in whatever way He wants. Maybe I'm not cut out for Word ministry, or maybe I am. Or maybe I should redefine Word ministry & not put it into a box. Every Christian should be doing Word ministry in some form by talking to others about Jesus.

I don't know if I've got anything else to say on this subject...