Melancholic Derivations

July 17, 2007

Final Year

The winter of 2007's finally set in, bringing with it chilly winds and single-digit temperatures. It's bringing a sense of deja vu as well, harking my mind back to the winter of 2004 when I first arrived in Australia as a blurry-eyed, fresh 'graduate' from the school of hard knocks (Army la!). Perhaps what's most pertinently enlightening about the flashbacks are the fact that these 3 years are ones in which I've experienced much growth, both in maturity and spiritually.

The winter holidays came by and left in a flash; I was sick for half of it, then at church camp for the other half. Although most would say the camp brought about tremendous spiritual growth due to the sermons being preached, the fervent corporate prayer we had every night or the devotions at 'ungodly' hours, I'd say those events weren't the catalyst for bringing about spiritual revival for me. Rather, it was knowing that behind each and every mask and facade in church is a story, a life story about someone who's been through a crisis or joyous times, a life story which is just as moving and inspiring as the next person. Through this camp, I got to know people I might not have otherwise talked to, I deepened existing friendships with people in church and got to know them more intimately and most importantly, because of the strengthening in my horizontal relationships, the vertical one with the Almighty was strengthened as well.

I'm grateful for the friends I've made in Ebenezer and I hope that I've greatly enriched their lives as much as they've blessed mine. The spiritual growth has just been amazing and the camaraderie experienced as we serve God together is just mind-blowing. In some ways I'm frustrated that I have only a year left before I graduate and return to Money-pore for good, but in a totally different light, the dwindling hours I have left in Melbourne make me all the more determined to grasp the opportunity to serve in whatever way I can. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us!

Truly, an amazing revelation.

"Today is all you've got now, and today is all you'll ever have."

Labels: Life In General

Traveller fell apart at 1:58 PM


	Now Spinning Heroes Theme - Heroes Soundtrack The Protagonist joel \| content \| driven \| focused \| motive-oriented \| cynical \| analytical \| God-fearing \| jaded \| Frequent Reads Ben Christie Christine Davina Eugene Jasmine Jeremy Jo-ann Kay-Lene Mac Tammy Vivek Past Rants January 2004 February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 September 2004 October 2004 November 2004 December 2004 January 2005 February 2005 March 2005 April 2005 May 2005 June 2005 July 2005 August 2005 September 2005 October 2005 November 2005 December 2005 January 2006 February 2006 March 2006 April 2006 May 2006 June 2006 July 2006 August 2006 September 2006 October 2006 November 2006 December 2006 January 2007 February 2007 March 2007 April 2007 May 2007 June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007 Tap My Shoulder		July 17, 2007 Final Year The winter of 2007's finally set in, bringing with it chilly winds and single-digit temperatures. It's bringing a sense of deja vu as well, harking my mind back to the winter of 2004 when I first arrived in Australia as a blurry-eyed, fresh 'graduate' from the school of hard knocks (Army la!). Perhaps what's most pertinently enlightening about the flashbacks are the fact that these 3 years are ones in which I've experienced much growth, both in maturity and spiritually. The winter holidays came by and left in a flash; I was sick for half of it, then at church camp for the other half. Although most would say the camp brought about tremendous spiritual growth due to the sermons being preached, the fervent corporate prayer we had every night or the devotions at 'ungodly' hours, I'd say those events weren't the catalyst for bringing about spiritual revival for me. Rather, it was knowing that behind each and every mask and facade in church is a story, a life story about someone who's been through a crisis or joyous times, a life story which is just as moving and inspiring as the next person. Through this camp, I got to know people I might not have otherwise talked to, I deepened existing friendships with people in church and got to know them more intimately and most importantly, because of the strengthening in my horizontal relationships, the vertical one with the Almighty was strengthened as well. I'm grateful for the friends I've made in Ebenezer and I hope that I've greatly enriched their lives as much as they've blessed mine. The spiritual growth has just been amazing and the camaraderie experienced as we serve God together is just mind-blowing. In some ways I'm frustrated that I have only a year left before I graduate and return to Money-pore for good, but in a totally different light, the dwindling hours I have left in Melbourne make me all the more determined to grasp the opportunity to serve in whatever way I can. Hitherto hath the Lord helped us! Truly, an amazing revelation. "Today is all you've got now, and today is all you'll ever have." Labels: Life In General Traveller fell apart at 1:58 PM