DATE: 02/19/2006 06:15:41 PM
About 10 months or so ago, 2005 was the year. At that moment, I was already considering in mind whether to go for a Gen 12:2 trip for crusade. But at that time, I was not ready, neither was I in any shape to go. I was considering special semester and didn’t put the trip on a higher priority. It was only when I was at
after my down stage that I really missed going for the trip. Since then, I made a commitment: to prepare myself for the next trip in 2006, a finale one in someway, but to also a setting of a goal and commitment; too I was to be prepared for the trip to come. This desire arise, perhaps maybe not of good
motive which I will not deny (I wouldn’t deny due to the fact I can’t really remember the initial thought already).
However, through the time to pass, I started to be diverted from it. Doubting it at some moments of the time, and also forgetting what the things essential things I need to do were. One of the important things that I should do is to seek God for his will in this trip. The word that is supporting the fact of why I should go for this trip did not really alert me to it. Normally word only come when I need it for a particular situation = crisis, but I do this less often when I am going for a trip like this, in which I must admit it is mixed with my own agenda in mind. However, through what I have being through the past 10 months, I do realize that there are some desire that just surface with an intention that I may not be able to accept at that time, but with a purpose that is far from being understood by me. This may be due to the fact that my daily interaction with God is not
intimate enough to be able to hear clearly everything thing that he communicate. One thing I am pretty sure for this promise is: I am willing. I am available.
There are things that happened that are in favour of this promise. The things that are needed to be of concern were ICT and NYJC SL project. Those were the
two things that are beyond my control. But I strongly believe that it is by God’s grace that my ICT now is from 10 -14 Jul and NYJC SL project is most likely to
be the later half of the year. These two, maybe minor things just make me wonder that the trip may be quite feasible for me. In additional to that, other than external matters, there were personal matters too. With regards to whether am I going for the trip due to the fact to know someone, I believe God has dealt with it on December 2005. It was at that moment and already some week beforehand that I told God that, please clear me up, make my desire pure to go for this trip with a pure heart, with a mind in focus and in delight that you will be opening up a new ministry area for me. A vision of an opening door to a valley brings a different level of hope for it. Agreed that vision with a supporting word is pretty hard to be sustained, thus it can only be a minor supporting factor. As I typed to this point, I was reminded of a passage that God lay upon my heart a long time ago, Ezekiel 34. I believe it was during my NSF time (to be exact 01 Feb 2002). The message that I got out of it was servanthood to gather/heal/strengthen the sheep. It is till now, a word I remember but still yet to be fulfilled. But I believe it is something that will come to true.
How the passage Ezekiel 34 does relate to the promise? At this moment I am unable to give a concrete connection, one that is from experience. However what I can speculate is the key words gather/ heal / strengthen? What exactly can be found in the passage? I remembered a crusader staff once said that there are some misunderstanding between the Thai churches and Thai Campus crusade. This is something that makes me ponder why. What is the thing that is in the gap of understand?
Set aside perhaps some of the curiosity which may be answer in this trip, which are just plain of my character. When I was challenged why, I realized that
I am unable to confidently say why. I fully agree only 4 days later that I understand why with a God word, one will believe and go all out for God’s word is flawless and his word will last forever. Thus I took up the “challenge”, perhaps too because of the deep desire to go for the trip, to quiet my heart and hear
God. The first 2 Bible clauses that God told me will familiar but frightening. Isaiah 40:21 gave me the first impression that I have heard it already, but I
was not concentrating. I forgot about already impression. Or something I didn’t understand in the first place. This was followed by Deuteronomy 23:21-23
with the issue of vow payment. What were the commitments that were made? I was immediately reminded of the commitment that I have made with regards to PC Gaming (in reference to the coming trip) and also a life of holiness. Failure to “pay” these commitment will lead to 2 Chronicles 24:20 – where the priest was
asked why he disobeys the Lord. As similar to failure to fulfil a commitment is sin, it is like forsaking the Lord and he will do the same in response. You will
not prosper. That is also a response from God. Understanding from a different context, this refers to not only my life, but also this trip. I was quite
discouraged and was slightly led astray. Who am I worthy to serve God? At that moment I was just ready to reply Jerome, “Jerome, I think I am not worthy to
go for the trip. I should not even think about going at all. I should stop all too.” An easy answer I though that will solve the situation and ease Jerome situation; he do not need to consider whether in the first place going for the trip is best for me for I am already not qualified for it. What an easy way out. However, I am not satisfied with such a word. I seek further but with a changed attitude and a repentant heart. The voice that said, “I will allow you, but let God and surrender it to me.” Comforted me the voice does as it slowly soften my heart to release to him. The Word of comfort came later in form of 2 Samuel
22:21 but I felt led to read the whole passage. It was a praise song of how God had deliver David from the hands of his enemies Saul. To me, it was a song of
praise of victory. I was reminded that this year will be a year of victory for Jehovah Nissi, the victory Banner of my Lord. In this trip, there will be
victories won and I know I will sing high praises to him.
Another Psalms 103, one more reassuring song, by David to assure me that I am still able to serve God with whom I am. The Fredrik that I am now, is already
transformed and changed in the spirit, purified and cleansed in a deeper way. A changed and resurrected person in Christ, for that is who I can say I am now.
With these I seek further till God send another message Isaiah 21:11-12. This finally put a temporary halt to my seeking for 3 nights. “Come back yet again
for the answer will still be the same.” This prompted me to put the seeking to a halt till after the Friendship special, to give my fullest prayer for Friendship special. Also, I know one thing for sure “Morning is coming.”, thus why ask some more.
The next night after I halt seeking, there was a sharing at Life Meeting (Mini service) for Campus Crusade. A sharing from Isaiah 6:1-8 in which the
message with the following points:
1. Meet God intimately
2. Serve sacrificially
3. “I’m ON! Send me!”
Although this was what that was shared, however later I understood it in a different way – Isaiah’s commission and a willing heart to go where God send.
The reason being, God have cleansed Isaiah. With this trip and also the events to come, I know the commission of me too will come about. Thus this trip
perhaps is a trip of commissioning.
With all these, that is what I can share from my side of the story. But I believe God is in control of all things. At this moment I finished typing this, I realise that 1 team has already being filled i.e. 12 members. I wondered whether 13 will means 1 team or whatever. But with faith and hope, though I will not
deny I feel really very anxious. Let God reign. Let His will be done.
-----