STAYING THE COURSE
Peter Chao
Who we are always catches up with what we do.
Fifty years on in the ministry, I’m reflecting on what kept me going.
I recall just before I signed up for theological training, my uncle tried to dissuade me from going into ministry. “If you want to have influence in the church, you have to be rich. Only those who cannot succeed in life end up in ministry!” That was the encouragement proffered by a church elder! It was probably youthful naiveté that made me proceed into ministry despite well-meaning advice.
Five decades later, I look at my colleagues who have raised a family, some on one salary. Their children seem to have fared just as well, if not better, than offspring from our well-rewarded high school classmates. My colleagues’ adult kids seem to shoulder moral and filial responsibilities well, in addition to raising their own families. Of course, there is a financial chasm separating my co-workers from our enterprising friends in the business world, but my colleagues are not starving or deprived.
Could we have predicted we would turn out well at the other end of life? I don’t remember considering another vocation my whole life. I remain enthusiastic and excited about ministry, and would give it another go if I had to live my life over again.
But that does not mean life in ministry was hunky dory!
Alluring distractions
Like the apostle Paul, we’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken.1
Over the years, we have experienced troubles that overwhelmed us, uncertainties that paralyzed us, spiritual darkness that gripped us with fear, and failures that floored us. But, we have not been demoralized, uncertain, abandoned or broken!
Certainly we have had moments of doubts. Those feelings of insecurity and inadequacy were brought about frequently by existential realities. Seeing classmates zip around town in the latest model sports car may have raised the specter of envy; job offers from commercial outfits may have stirred the appetite for better remuneration; or promises broken by ministry partners may have tempted us to throw in the towel. But, like most temptations, they evaporated in the presence of fulfilment brought about by the outcomes of ministry.
I cannot put into words the joy of seeing people make a commitment to Christ in response to outreach. Everything pales in comparison to a person’s exhilaration when God’s love becomes reality to him or her. The difference is between temporal and eternal, heaven and hell. Nothing fulfills as deeply as knowing your work counts for eternity!
“Nothing fulfills as deeply as knowing your work counts for eternity.”
Focused determination
Because of God’s widening and deepening grace, we are not discouraged in the face of difficulties; rather we are being renewed day by day. There is a strength and fresh energy that comes from trust in God. It is like strength on a new day renewed by a night’s rest.
I see that in the eyes and renewed energy among my long-serving colleagues. Their enthusiasm is bubbling and fresh, their determination is strong and directed, and their imaginations are boundless and invigorating. The future looms large on their horizon, the past but a preface of what is to come.
That’s eternity in the mind and heart. Paul describes the future as far more than meets the eye.3 What is unseen is eternal, Paul summarizes.
There, in a nutshell, is the explanation for longevity in the ministry.
What you see determines your direction in life, and who you become.
And, who we are always catches up with us, whatever we profess or do in life.
If we start by focusing on the invisible spiritual, then what is in store for us is far more than meets the eye … the half has never been told!
Who we are becomes shaped by what we see. It’s who you are that determines what you do!
“What you see determines your direction in life, and who you become.”
___
1 2 Corinthians 4:7 The Message
2 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV/The Message
3 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Message
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Not just lip service
“There will be a group who will stand up, a community who will say, I will love the Lord. These are the people who will hold conversations among themselves. It suggests an interaction. They are not alone! They are people who are talking and discussing issues. It is a community that is honest and is groping in faith that the Lord will listen and hear.” – John Ng on Malachi 3:13ff, September 22, 2018
Enjoy the Word. Interpret it accurately. Learn how to, at Eagles Rendezvous, Saturdays, 4-6 pm at Eagles Center. Register for the next series beginning January 12, 2019 (Live streaming available at Eagles’ Facebook page)
Harrowing, but heartfelt
ELDP classes of 2018, 2019 and 2020 continued to meet this year, most recently, in Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. God’s Word moved in power through faculty, as well as invited speakers like TImothy Khoo and Lawrence Leong. Two Malaysian women ministers also shared in heartfelt honesty (full story will be featured in VantagePoint December 2018).
Arresting thoughts:
Michelle Neo (Class of 2020) reflects: “In the short time we had, God began to peel away my hardened layers: My soul was not made to perform, but to worship.”
Joshua Lim (Class of 2020) reflects: “I was overwhelmed with emotion. I now feel more conflicted … or, should I say, it’s an uncomfortable feeling of wanting to start somewhere. But I am struggling to start, looking at the mountain before me. I will get there with guidance and initiative. I know I am not alone in this, because Eagles has surrounded me with mentors and friends with much experience, love and wisdom.”
Ferdie Catabay (Class of 2020) reflects: “This got my full attention. As we work with imperfect people, failures and discouragement are expected. As a leader, I need individuals who journey with me and hold me accountable, ie a go-to person acting as a third voice for support, prayers, rebuke, correction, to keep me focused on the Lord, stay disciplined in my desire to walk in Him and to keep pushing me to reach my goals. Getting to know great leaders through Eagles has been a tremendous blessing.”
Fire from Heaven
“God’s provisions are always adequate, even in seasons of desolation and destitution.” The Oasis retreat in Shanghai (September 2018) was a time to experience God’s provision, plenitude, power and protection. Register here for the next one: December 7-9, Bali.
“The time is now.”
A one-of-a-kind key that unlocks a box containing a priceless gift: This was the thread of ‘Nutcracker and the Four Realms’, which was the Eagles Movie Nite thriller. More than 180 people gathered at WE Cinemas in Clementi for the Nov 2 event, including friends from Pathlight School and their caregivers, blessed with invitations by donors who were unable to attend.
NEXT UP
Experience God’s Provision, Plenitude, Power and Protection
Learn more about Oasis Retreat in Bali
Experience the Word
Discover what kind of a person Abraham was, and how God dealt with such a character. Also we’ll translate Abraham’s battles for obedience into practical principles for our similar battles today.
Join us in learning from Abraham’s inspiring journey of faith. Free admission by registration. Register here.
STAYING THE COURSE
Peter Chao
Who we are always catches up with what we do.
Fifty years on in the ministry, I’m reflecting on what kept me going.
I recall just before I signed up for theological training, my uncle tried to dissuade me from going into ministry. “If you want to have influence in the church, you have to be rich. Only those who cannot succeed in life end up in ministry!” That was the encouragement proffered by a church elder! It was probably youthful naiveté that made me proceed into ministry despite well-meaning advice.
Five decades later, I look at my colleagues who have raised a family, some on one salary. Their children seem to have fared just as well, if not better, than offspring from our well-rewarded high school classmates. My colleagues’ adult kids seem to shoulder moral and filial responsibilities well, in addition to raising their own families. Of course, there is a financial chasm separating my co-workers from our enterprising friends in the business world, but my colleagues are not starving or deprived.
Could we have predicted we would turn out well at the other end of life? I don’t remember considering another vocation my whole life. I remain enthusiastic and excited about ministry, and would give it another go if I had to live my life over again.
But that does not mean life in ministry was hunky dory!
Alluring distractions
Like the apostle Paul, we’ve been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we’re not demoralized; we’re not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we’ve been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn’t left our side; we’ve been thrown down, but we haven’t broken.1
Over the years, we have experienced troubles that overwhelmed us, uncertainties that paralyzed us, spiritual darkness that gripped us with fear, and failures that floored us. But, we have not been demoralized, uncertain, abandoned or broken!
Certainly we have had moments of doubts. Those feelings of insecurity and inadequacy were brought about frequently by existential realities. Seeing classmates zip around town in the latest model sports car may have raised the specter of envy; job offers from commercial outfits may have stirred the appetite for better remuneration; or promises broken by ministry partners may have tempted us to throw in the towel. But, like most temptations, they evaporated in the presence of fulfilment brought about by the outcomes of ministry.
I cannot put into words the joy of seeing people make a commitment to Christ in response to outreach. Everything pales in comparison to a person’s exhilaration when God’s love becomes reality to him or her. The difference is between temporal and eternal, heaven and hell. Nothing fulfills as deeply as knowing your work counts for eternity!
“Nothing fulfills as deeply as knowing your work counts for eternity.”
Focused determination
Because of God’s widening and deepening grace, we are not discouraged in the face of difficulties; rather we are being renewed day by day. There is a strength and fresh energy that comes from trust in God. It is like strength on a new day renewed by a night’s rest.
I see that in the eyes and renewed energy among my long-serving colleagues. Their enthusiasm is bubbling and fresh, their determination is strong and directed, and their imaginations are boundless and invigorating. The future looms large on their horizon, the past but a preface of what is to come.
That’s eternity in the mind and heart. Paul describes the future as far more than meets the eye.3 What is unseen is eternal, Paul summarizes.
There, in a nutshell, is the explanation for longevity in the ministry.
What you see determines your direction in life, and who you become.
And, who we are always catches up with us, whatever we profess or do in life.
If we start by focusing on the invisible spiritual, then what is in store for us is far more than meets the eye … the half has never been told!
Who we are becomes shaped by what we see. It’s who you are that determines what you do!
“What you see determines your direction in life, and who you become.”
___
1 2 Corinthians 4:7 The Message
2 2 Corinthians 4:16 NIV/The Message
3 2 Corinthians 4:18 The Message
MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS
Not just lip service
“There will be a group who will stand up, a community who will say, I will love the Lord. These are the people who will hold conversations among themselves. It suggests an interaction. They are not alone! They are people who are talking and discussing issues. It is a community that is honest and is groping in faith that the Lord will listen and hear.” – John Ng on Malachi 3:13ff, September 22, 2018
Enjoy the Word. Interpret it accurately. Learn how to, at Eagles Rendezvous, Saturdays, 4-6 pm at Eagles Center. Register for the next series beginning January 12, 2019 (Live streaming available at Eagles’ Facebook page)
Harrowing, but heartfelt
ELDP classes of 2018, 2019 and 2020 continued to meet this year, most recently, in Bangkok, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. God’s Word moved in power through faculty, as well as invited speakers like TImothy Khoo and Lawrence Leong. Two Malaysian women ministers also shared in heartfelt honesty (full story will be featured in VantagePoint December 2018).
Arresting thoughts:
Michelle Neo (Class of 2020) reflects: “In the short time we had, God began to peel away my hardened layers: My soul was not made to perform, but to worship.”
Joshua Lim (Class of 2020) reflects: “I was overwhelmed with emotion. I now feel more conflicted … or, should I say, it’s an uncomfortable feeling of wanting to start somewhere. But I am struggling to start, looking at the mountain before me. I will get there with guidance and initiative. I know I am not alone in this, because Eagles has surrounded me with mentors and friends with much experience, love and wisdom.”
Ferdie Catabay (Class of 2020) reflects: “This got my full attention. As we work with imperfect people, failures and discouragement are expected. As a leader, I need individuals who journey with me and hold me accountable, ie a go-to person acting as a third voice for support, prayers, rebuke, correction, to keep me focused on the Lord, stay disciplined in my desire to walk in Him and to keep pushing me to reach my goals. Getting to know great leaders through Eagles has been a tremendous blessing.”
Fire from Heaven
“God’s provisions are always adequate, even in seasons of desolation and destitution.” The Oasis retreat in Shanghai (September 2018) was a time to experience God’s provision, plenitude, power and protection. Register here for the next one: December 7-9, Bali.
“The time is now.”
A one-of-a-kind key that unlocks a box containing a priceless gift: This was the thread of ‘Nutcracker and the Four Realms’, which was the Eagles Movie Nite thriller. More than 180 people gathered at WE Cinemas in Clementi for the Nov 2 event, including friends from Pathlight School and their caregivers, blessed with invitations by donors who were unable to attend.
NEXT UP
Experience God’s Provision, Plenitude, Power and Protection
Learn more about Oasis Retreat in Bali
Experience the Word
Discover what kind of a person Abraham was, and how God dealt with such a character. Also we’ll translate Abraham’s battles for obedience into practical principles for our similar battles today.
Join us in learning from Abraham’s inspiring journey of faith. Free admission by registration. Register here.