I'm back!
Recently I've been thinking about a particular subject. A subject that's quite close to my heart and something that I was tested with a few times.
Wouldn't say that I'm the expert in this subject, but I got my 50 cents worth of experience to share.
The price to pay
Many times we hear preachers, pastors, leaders telling us that there's always a price to pay, a sacrifice to make. Generally, 99% of the congregation would respond in faith, raise up their hands and repeat the prayer after the leader, feel extremely good, pumped up and ready for the week ahead.
But when it's really time to pay the price, how many people actually pay the price?
I'm an extremely late bloomer. Having to retake my "O" levels, I was jolted to my senses, knowing that it's not a candy world out here. So I took my studies seriously and did well enough for Polytechnic.
It was always my ambition to be a pilot; a fighter pilot, above all the commoners, coolness personified. Walking around with shades, dressed up from head to toe in Hugo Boss and driving an Audi R8.
I frequently shared about the dreams of being a pilot, the perks of being one and worshipped by millions of kids.
Bear in mind that I've yet to know God during this period of time, so there's a huge problem with pride over here.
Having come from a very supportive family, my sister took all the trouble to get me the registration form from the Singapore Youth Flying Club and somehow, my parents had a connection in SYFC and I got my registration approval almost immediately.
So there I was, king of the world, member of the SYFC strutting my stuff to school and occasionally skipping classes because I had something more important to do in SYFC.
Then God came into my life.
Somewhat, my life was totally transformed. Things started changing, priorities changed and my attitudes started to change too.
Knowing that Christians are supposed to be nicer people, I started to be nicer to my classmates, hanging out with them more and being more friendly.
I attended Church, Cellgroups, Prayer Meetings, Pre-Service Prayer Meetings. Whatever my CGL told me to attend, I'll be there; if I'm free.
But this wasn't the price to pay for my commitment to Christ.
Slowly, God began to work in my heart. He gave me a call, a vision, a purpose. Something stirred in my heart.
Once every 2 weeks, I would be unable to attend Cell Group Meetings because of my commitment in SYFC. Thinking that it wouldn't hinder my growth in Church, I proceeded with the training, trying to balance Church and SYFC.
But the day came when I was asked to sacrifice SYFC, to focus mainly in my growth in Christ. My ambition was challenged, aspirations dashed and hope gone.
I felt God had called me to lead, to build up leaders for Him. But I was a young Christian, who would take me seriously? And I couldn't understand why God would want me to sacrifice something that I like.
So I didn't sacrifice SYFC immediately. I kept holding on to it.
Soon after, I felt uneasy. I knew something had to go. My interest in flying took a dip and I started to dread flying or attend lessons. I tried to motivate myself to be attentive in class and to fly to the best of my ability.
But nothing could beat being in Church, feeling at ease.
I prayed, hard and long. I asked God to not take away SYFC from me. I wanted God to do things my way, I wanted Him to give me what I wanted. But week after week, classes in SYFC were getting from bad to worst and my grading fell like a ton of bricks.
Then my CGL spoke to me again. Asked if I still have the passion and desire to be a pilot. Truth be told- I was still interested, but I knew it wasn't working out well for me. So I told my CGL (then) that I would leave SYFC.
So the price that I had to pay starts now.
Imagine the commotion I faced when I shared with my Sister about the decision I was able to make. My Sister questioned every decision that I made and about God. My parents were utterly disappointed with my decision and furious that I'm attending Church and spending so much time and money there.
I made my stand, prayed a prayer to God saying, "God, I'll give up flying now. But if it's Your will for me to fly, I'll get the chance to fly in the future."
So I left SYFC, feeling very happy (I had a really bad flight that day)
I sacrificed my dreams and aspirations for God.
To many, it may seem foolish. But to me, I know that God will not short-change me and I'll be able to fulfil a greater destiny God has placed in my heart.
This is the price that I had to pay.
Some of you may experience something even greater that requires a greater sacrifice. But do not be afraid to trust God and take the step of faith.
God says that His ways are greater then ours and the path of the righteous will always shine, from glory to glory!