Jiamin Choo – Kallos

My Husband Was Worth The Wait

Jiamin Choo — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 17:55:57 +0000

It was my 21st birthday. Wanting to catch the first rays of light, I woke up early and made my way to the beach. As I stood on the shore, I said a prayer, thanking God for His love and care all these years, faithfully providing for my family after Papa passed away when I was 13.

As the sun rose, I made two promises to God: Having experienced Him personally as my Heavenly Father, especially during my mission trip as an 18-year-old onboard Operation Mobilisation’s (OM) ship Doulos, I’ll follow Him all the days of my life; and because He is Lord of my life, I’ll wait on Him for my future husband.

I took out the ring that I’d bought – a simple band engraved with “WAITING 4 U” — and put it on my left middle finger. It represented my promise to wait for my future husband, to keep myself for him, and I hoped that one day the ring would be a gift to him on our wedding day.

I wore the ring daily, as a commitment to entrust my heart to God, and as a reminder to pray for my future husband – that even though I didn’t know who he was, where he was, or when we would meet, my desire was for him to be a man after God’s own heart. I hoped he was waiting for me, too.

The following year, I graduated from the National University of Singapore. While friends were sending in resumés for job applications, I was preparing to follow God’s call on my life – to serve Him in full-time missions back onboard Doulos, the place where God first opened my eyes to His love for the nations.

Will i lose my relationships?

Wanting to offer my first fruits after graduation to God, I signed the form to rejoin Doulos for two years with my family’s blessing. Ship life and ministry wasn’t going to be easy. Some were concerned I wouldn’t receive a salary. Some feared for my physical safety. I had counted the cost and was prepared for those things, but what I wrestled with was the area of relationships.

By being away, will I lose the closeness with my mum and younger siblings? What if I missed out on significant moments shared with family, friends and church?

And while friends are starting to find their special halves, am I prepared to put my love life on hold, to delay the possibility of starting a relationship as I would be sailing around the world and not be able to settle?

As those scenarios played on my mind, the tears kept coming. Relationships were most precious to me, and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing them.

Then I felt God impress on my heart: “Jiamin, if your fear of losing relationships were to come true, will you still be willing to go?”

My heart was aching, but I said: “Yes, I will go. I entrust my relationships to You, Lord. I believe You are more than able to protect my relationships with my family, friends and church. But even if I were to lose them because of my being away from home, and even though it would hurt deeply, I know I’ll be okay because You are with me.”

So off I went, joining Doulos in the port of Beirut, Lebanon, where we sailed around Middle East and Africa for the rest of the year.

"I was Reminded Not to Compromise"

Our crew of 350 international volunteers, we worked in various departments to keep the ship going – we ran a floating book fair that provided quality literature at low cost for locals, we went onshore to serve alongside churches, we shared God’s Word in cities and villages, spent time with children in orphanages, and shared testimonies in prisons.

I especially enjoyed befriending couples who shared openly about their joys and struggles in marriage. They modelled for me the sacredness of marriage, and I learned how important it was to guard marriage with faithfulness, forgiveness and love.

In choosing a life partner, a cross-cultural married couple advised, “Marry someone who is like-minded in the faith, someone who’s running alongside you towards the same finishing line.”

I was reminded not to compromise, not to give my heart away to someone who was really good to me but didn’t have a heart for God and missions. So I continued to wait on God for my future husband and surrendered my longings to Him.

“BUT GOD, WHAT ABOUT ME?”

I ended up spending four years onboard Doulos. I was glad to have set apart that time to serve God in the strength of my youth, and to witness God’s glory and wondrous works in the 31 countries that I had sailed to. As the season onboard the ship drew to a close, I knew it was time to return home, where a new chapter would unfold.

Readjusting back to life in Singapore meant catching up with friends who had gotten married while I was away. As I settled back home, I began writing a book about my Doulos journey, Out of the Harbour, and took up a new role with OM Singapore as missions coordinator.

Though things seemed to be going well, there remained a void that longed to be filled: A desire for someone special to appear in my life. Someone who shares my love for God and missions. Someone who will notice me, choose me, and take that risk to love me. But just when I found someone whom I was drawn to, I found out he was already “taken”.

“No, Jiamin, he’s not yours. He belongs to someone else,” I felt God impress on my heart. Feelings of sadness rose from within. “But God, what about me?” In the midst of the silence, tears began to fall.

“IS MY DESIRE FOR MARRIAGE WISHFUL THINKING?”

I had been waiting for God to fulfil the dream that had been seeded in my heart since I was 21. I wondered if God had forgotten about me. I wondered if my desire for marriage was only wishful thinking. I wondered why this unfulfilled desire could cut me so deeply and bring about nights of lonely tears.

Was this dream really worth waiting for?

However through it all, God’s presence remained near. His words in Psalm 30:5 brought such comfort: “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” I realised that even though marriage was a good gift from God, I was desiring marriage so much to the point of making it an idol in my life. I was seeking the gift and not the Giver. I also doubted my worth and identity, fearing I was incomplete as a woman unless I became someone’s wife.

But I was so wrong. As a child of God, I was already complete in Christ. His love had redeemed and restored me. That led me to confess: “God, I’m sorry for not being satisfied in You alone. I surrender my dream of marriage to You. Whether I get married or not, You remain good. Help me be content to delight in You alone.” My heavy heart was lifted, and I believed this season of singleness was God’s gift for me.

MY UNEXPECTED GIFT

Some months later, a young man named Minghui walked into the OM Singapore office. He was applying to join a short-term mission trip onboard another OM ship, Logos Hope, before entering Bible School. I was pleasantly surprised to meet a like-minded person who shared the same desire to serve in missions and full-time ministry. Even though it was our first time meeting, we hit it off and the conversation just kept going. His warm personality, adventurous spirit and gentle nature left an impression that day.

Little did I know that this new friendship would blossom into something more.

In God’s perfect timing, He joined our hearts and lives together, with me walking down the aisle towards Minghui, thankful and excited because my ring had found its owner – someone special who had been waiting for me all this while too.

Looking back, I realise that through those years of singleness, God had brought me through highs and lows, and even across the seas, so that I could fully know Him, delight in Him and come to a place of joyful surrender such that my heart was ready for whatever that was to come.

And that was worth the wait.

Jiamin contributes to the Devotional column of Kallos magazine and loves all things nautical! This article is taken and adapted with permission from http://saltandlight.sg. To read more stories on love and dating, check out Issue 29, Issue 24, Issue 21, and our devotionals Made For More which contains a series of heartfelt articles that explores various issues young women face and His Glory Our Wonder, about recapturing a sense of awe towards God.

Beautiful Feet

Jiamin Choo — Sat, 01 May 2021 03:35:00 +0000

“Is there really a God? What is love? And why would God love me?” Kazuma, a fourth-year engineering student, asked me, with a look of curiosity and a tinge of sadness in his voice. I wasn’t expecting these questions to come at one go, but something in my heart broke and I understood why God had brought me from Singapore to this university in Japan to meet Kazuma.

It was my first mission trip to Japan as a freshman, in partnership with a local Christian student ministry. I had gone there as part of a Singapore team during my university holidays, because of what Sophie, my discipleship group leader, had shared about her mission trip to Japan previously.

Many know Japan for its amazing nature, technology, culture, and cuisine. It’s also one of the world’s most populous nations with 127 million people, and is one of the world’s richest and safest countries. Yet many may not know that Japan’s suicide rate is alarmingly one of the world’s highest, with over 20,000 Japanese ending their lives every year, with all hope lost. Most Japanese wouldn’t know Jesus, as they haven’t even heard of His name. With less than one percent Jesus-followers in Japan, and with the majority of worshippers and pastors being in their old age and passing on, many churches are struggling to survive, especially in rural areas where many churches have less than ten worshippers.

Impacted by what Sophie had shared, I signed up for the next trip to Japan, desiring to support the Japanese Christian students in their campus ministry. And that was how I ended up meeting Kazuma at a university’s English club gathering.

That day, together with my Singapore teammates, we sat down with Kazuma. We opened the Bible and searched for the answers he was looking for together. It was the first time Kazuma heard the good news of God’s kingdom and Jesus, and I was thankful to be part of the team that brought it to him. I realised this all happened because of Sophie, who encouraged me to go to Japan, and I could only have gone because my home church gave their blessings and supported me prayerfully and financially. And I could only share the gospel with Kazuma because others had shared that same good news with me in the past, such that I too had become a Jesus-follower.

It was like Paul’s words in Romans 10:11–15 coming alive:

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile — the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

In writing this letter to the church in Rome almost 2,000 years ago, Paul was reminding them that the good news of Jesus is for all, not only for a privileged few. God has made a way for every tribe, tongue, and people group to be reconciled to Him when they respond in faith through Jesus. But for this message to be made known, someone needs to bring it. Someone with beautiful feet because they are willing to go. Today, according to the Joshua Project, an organisation that highlights the ethnic groups of the world with the fewest followers of Christ, the Japanese remain the second-largest unreached people group in the world. There are various ways we can be a part of bringing this good news to the nations. We can pray for these countries. We can give financially to support mission workers and send them out. We can also go, and be part of the next generation of workers with beautiful feet who will bring this good news to all people. What will be your response?

PRAYER

God, Your name is great and worthy to be praised. I long to see the good news of Your kingdom and Jesus made known in every place, so that all people will worship You. Give me a heart for the nations, that I may bring Your good news to others in this generation. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME!

1. Who first shared the good news of God’s kingdom and Jesus with you?
2. To what extent are you willing to pray, give, send, or go, for the purpose of bringing the good news to the nations?

DELVE DEEPER

Read and reflect on these passages on “Bringers of Good News”:
o Isaiah 6:1–13
o Luke 4:14–30
o Acts 8:26–40

HANDLES

To help process what you learn through your Bible reading, try journalling your thoughts, feelings and questions. It can also provide clarity when you re-read your journal entries and trace the growth in your faith journey.

Living Hope

Jiamin Choo — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 07:50:00 +0000

Come with me to the place where it all happened. Imagine the dark before the dawn, the heavy footsteps and tear-filled eyes. Two days before, the Jesus whom Mary Magdalene loved had died. Betrayed by a disciple and put on an illegal and unjust trial, Jesus was sentenced to die on a cross at Calvary outside the walls of Jerusalem. He was abandoned by His followers and scorned by the soldiers. Jesus was no more, buried in a tomb. All of Mary’s hope was gone.

Mary had been saved by Jesus. He had cast out seven demons from her and restored her life (Luke 8:2). But that’s not all. This was Jesus, the promised Saviour of the world. The Son of God, whose birth was sung over by angels and witnessed by shepherds. The Miracle Healer who touched the leper and made the blind see. The Teacher who preached God’s kingdom with such authority that many repented of their sins and believed. The Son of Man, who said He is the only way to come to the Heavenly Father. Many rejected Him. Yet many loved and followed Him, including Mary.

Walking toward the tomb where Jesus lay, Mary was in for a surprise. A violent earthquake hit as an angel came down from heaven. He rolled back the stone of the tomb and sat on it saying, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee’” (Matt 28:2, 5–7).

Entrusted with this good news, her grief turning into great joy, Mary started running off to tell the other disciples when suddenly, Jesus appeared before her and called her by name. Little did Mary know that she would be the first person to see Jesus alive. Little did she know that she would be the first witness to testify that Jesus had risen from the dead. “I have seen the Lord!” Mary told the disciples, but they did not believe her (Mark 16:11). They only believed after seeing Jesus themselves (e.g., John 20:24–29), and then they gave their lives to share this news because Jesus had become their Living Hope.

These historical accounts have been recorded in Scripture so that we too may believe that Jesus is the Saviour, the Son of God, and that by believing, we may have life in His name (John 20:31). Although I have not witnessed these events with my own eyes and they may seem like foolish made-up stories in the eyes of the world, I do believe that Jesus lived, died, and rose again. He is my Living Hope, having triumphed over sin and death. And because I believe, I desire to share this good news with others who have yet to know it, especially those who live in communities where there are few Jesus-followers.

This Good Friday and Easter, may you be encouraged to reflect on Jesus’ life and death, know the power of His resurrection, and like Mary, who was filled with joy, share this good news of our Saviour with those around you: “Jesus has risen, just as He said!”

PRAYER
God, how great is Your mercy and love, that through faith in the risen Christ, our sins are forgiven and we can enter Your kingdom and be called Your children. Empower us by Your Spirit to share this good news about Jesus with others. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME!
1. To what extent is Jesus your Living Hope?
2. Who is one person you can share with about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus?

DELVE DEEPER
Read and reflect on these passages on “The Risen Christ”:
o John 11:21–27
o Acts 13:26–48
o 1 Corinthians 15:1–22

HANDLES
To discover what the Bible says about life’s big questions, consider asking yourself, “What does this Bible passage say about God, Jesus, or His plan? What does this say about humans? What am I doing well, and what do I need to change?”

*Check out the Discovery Bible Study method at www.dbsguide.org to find out more.

Renew

Jiamin Choo — Fri, 01 Jan 2021 03:34:00 +0000

“With one word, how was 2020 for you?” a friend asked me. I replied, “Unprecedented.” My friend nodded. That was the buzzword from global news to conversations in our own circles throughout 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. That word reminded me of how 2020 had been a shocking, sad, and difficult year with many Covid-19-related losses — the loss of many lives, jobs, overseas travel, and social gatherings, and the loss of safety and freedom to go to places without a mask. Yet with the painful losses also came gains — gaining of clarity to realise what really matters and to be thankful for people and things that we used to take for granted, such as our family and friends, having a stable job, good health, and a caring government to go through the hard times together.

With the pandemic raging on, entering this new year may not be as light-hearted and celebratory as in past years, but there is one word that God is putting on my heart for 2021, and that is “Renew.” Even though the future may seem uncertain and we may feel tired from keeping up with the volatile changes (and countless Zoom meetings) in a COVID-19 world, as God’s children, we can enter 2021 with hope and strength because of the renewing work God does in us.

In the Bible passage of Isaiah 40, God gave these comforting words through the prophet Isaiah to God’s people long ago who would be in years of captivity for their sins: “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” What a beautiful picture of renewal, from falling to flying.

Although the people of Israel at the time had sinned against God and would receive judgement through captivity, God remained faithful and loving to give them this encouraging promise — He would renew, restore, and redeem His people from the captors. The reason why this promise could be trusted then and can be trusted now is because of who God is and what He says He does.

In the chapter’s earlier verses 10 to 29, God reveals Himself as a caring shepherd who marks off the heavens with His hands, brings rulers of this world to nothing, and knows each star by name. And because He is the everlasting God who will not grow tired or weary, He will give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. This inner renewal does not come from our own efforts, power or wisdom, but from God, the Source of life and strength, the loving Creator who never forgets His people.

As we cross over into 2021, no matter what ups or downs await us, we can find comfort and assurance in knowing that “those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.” We don’t need to be afraid of an uncertain future, because we have an all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God who is with us. May we be encouraged to commit our lives, plans, and dreams for this new year to God, trusting Him to do a renewing work in us, and to lead us ahead with His strength, wisdom, and grace.

PRAYER
Dear God, thank You for being my strength when I am weak. Renew my heart, mind and spirit, as I commit all of my hopes and plans for this year into Your loving hands, trusting You to lead in Your perfect ways. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME!
1. When you feel tired, how do you usually renew your strength?

2. Crossing over into 2021, what is one area of your life that you desire to be “renewed” by God?

DELVE DEEPER
Read and reflect on these passages on “renewal”:
o Psalm 23
o John 7:37-39
o 2 Corinthians 4:7–18

HANDLES
The Bible is God’s living Word through which He reveals Himself, His thoughts and His ways to us, His children. So as you read the Bible, read it with a desire to know God better and strengthen your relationship with Him!

Loving the Foreigner

Jiamin Choo — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 01:10:00 +0000

One day when I was on my way home on the MRT, I heard someone shout, “Go back to your country!” I looked up from my phone screen, wondering what the commotion was about. It was a middle-aged woman sitting opposite me. She continued saying lots of nasty comments while pointing at the elderly woman sitting next to me. I felt frightened by her hostile looks. What made her say such things? I turned to look at the elderly woman beside me, and noticed she was a foreigner from East Asia. She dressed like a villager from a rural place. Her clothes looked a little old and torn too. She had a big woven sack bag in front of her, and her head was bowed low. She did not say anything in response to the middle-aged woman’s hurtful remarks. People in the train carriage were staring. Deep inside me, I was praying, “God, what should I do?”

In Leviticus 19:33-34, after the LORD showed His lovingkindness and delivered the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, He gave these words to His people through Moses: “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.” This is echoed in Deuteronomy 10:18-19, where it is written that God “loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing” and that is why as His people, the Israelites who were once treated as foreigners in Egypt, were to love the foreigners in their own land.

Commanding the Israelites to “love the foreigner” was countercultural. However, God was making for Himself a new “kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Exod 19:6) who would follow His ways and reflect His holiness, love, and compassion. Knowing that the foreigners were often deemed as outsiders and subject to bullying and mistreatment by locals, God was teaching the Israelites the importance of loving the foreigners in their midst, because they themselves were once foreigners in Egypt and knew how hard life was like as unwelcomed outsiders. In obeying God’s commandments, including loving the foreigner, the Israelites would reflect the holiness, love, and compassion of God whom they were in covenant with and be a testimony to the nations.

I decided to befriend the elderly lady and speak kindly to her. As I chatted with her, asking about her day, the middle-aged lady became more agitated and hurled more insults. I reassured the elderly lady, “Don’t be afraid. You’re going to be OK.” I continued to engage with her, and after a while, the middle-aged woman stopped shouting, and things went back to normal, with people getting on and off the MRT.

That incident made me wonder: How are we as Singaporeans making our country a welcoming space for those who have left their home countries, loved ones and possessions to study, work, and live here? I have lots more to learn about loving the foreigners, and I’m encouraged by friends who have inspired me to do that through their own examples. I know of a young couple who invited some migrant workers to their home for biryani on a national holiday, and the workers appreciated the warm hospitality. I know of a Christian community who came together to raise funds for a domestic helper who had to undergo surgery at an unsubsidised cost because she was a non-Singaporean. Such acts of love toward foreigners are not a mere command to follow; they bring such joy as we draw nearer to the heart of our LORD who loves.

PRAYER
Dear God, teach me what it means to love the foreigner as You have loved me. Use me to be a channel of blessing, to show hospitality, and kindness to those who have travelled from overseas and made their new home here. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME!
1. How have you experienced hospitality and kindness when you were overseas?
2. What is one act of kindness you can do for a foreigner in your midst?

DELVE DEEPER
Read and reflect on these passages on “Loving the Foreigner”:
o Deuteronomy 24:14–15, 24:17–22
o Matthew 25:31–46
o Hebrews 13:1–2

HANDLES
With so much screen time due to extra online meetings during this Covid-19 pandemic, consider reading a hard-copy Bible, so that you can take a break from the screen, slow down, and let God’s Word speak to you in a quiet space.

Sheltering The Homeless

Jiamin Choo — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 03:41:00 +0000

“We are four days away from Opening Day! We’ve found all the hosts required. We’ve reached our target for fundraising. All items required for donation have been secured. We are looking for people to host virtual Zoom prayers for this project. If God has placed in your heart to be an intercessor, please sign up …. Thank you and stay safe!”

I received the above message from the church’s WhatsApp chat during the Covid-19 circuit breaker period. It got me excited. A number of churches in Singapore, including the church where I’m worshipping, had decided to open up their doors to the homeless in response to the call for more help, as existing shelters for the homeless were hitting full capacity. I thought it was interesting that due to Covid-19 precautionary measures, we the church members had to be “chased out” of the church buildings, so that the homeless could be welcomed into God’s house, God’s shelter.

I was also encouraged by this ground-up initiative started by some younger church members, which grew quickly into a large team of volunteers, including the young and the old, and church leaders. I felt God impress on my heart to volunteer as a prayer host, alongside two other ladies, to facilitate daily 20-minute prayer sessions via Zoom. This would be our commitment, our contribution by being prayer intercessors, lifting up the shelter project’s guests, hosts and volunteers before God, together with others who joined us for the online prayer sessions.

As our church opened our doors as a shelter, we waited on God to bring the guests to us. One by one, they came. One was glad to finally have a mattress to sleep on. Another asked, “Why are you all (the hosts) so nice to me?” because no one had treated him so well before. The guests also enjoyed the biryani and nasi goreng delivered by the food volunteers. One lady faithfully helped with the laundry of the guests for weeks. Some church kids drew cards for the guests, which made their day. But the biggest highlight was the heartfelt conversations the hosts had with the guests, the sharing of life stories in a safe space, and the opportunities to speak hope into their lives.

All that was happening with this shelter project was like Hebrews 10:24–25 coming alive. In the midst of the Covid-19 crisis, even though our church communities were physically isolated, we continued to spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together (because we went online instead and engaged with each other even more), but encouraging one another. What a powerful testimony to see the beauty of the church coming together in unity, rising up to the call to serve the homeless, and in so doing, being humbled ourselves as we experienced God’s heart of love and compassion for the marginalised.

After 51 days of being a church shelter for the homeless, with Singapore entering Phase 2 of re-opening, after much prayer and deliberation, it was decided that the shelter had to close. It had been a precious time with the guests, and the guests would move on to their next journey and accommodation.

Looking back, the call to respond in a time of crisis had brought the church closer together. Everyone played a part to make this shelter project a beautiful offering to God. We needed one another. Whenever a need arose, someone in the church community would respond to close the gap. One church member put it beautifully: “Thankful for God’s gift of community — in communion with the Father, held in unity by Jesus’ precious blood, moved to humble acts of love by the Holy Spirit.”

PRAYER

Dear God, thank You for the gift of church community, especially in a time of crisis. Open my eyes to see new ways in which I can reach out and contribute to the community with the gifts You have blessed me with. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME!

1. How have you been blessed by someone in your church community during the Covid-19 pandemic?
2. How can you bless someone in your church community during the Covid-19 pandemic?

DELVE DEEPER

Read and reflect on these passages on “Community”:
o 1 Corinthians 12:21–27 (members of the body)
o Galatians 6:2–3 (bear one another’s burdens)
o Matthew 18:21–35

HANDLES

To better understand the New Testament, familiarise yourself with the world of Jesus and the Gospel writers. Consider what life was like in 1st century Palestine (e.g. worldviews, societal norms, family structure, jobs, gender roles, food, weather etc.).

Fill Your Heart With Joy

Jiamin Choo — Tue, 30 Jun 2020 08:09:00 +0000

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the stress of studying? I remember the many late nights in the library studying with friends when we were preparing for the ‘A’ levels. Even though we tried our best to revise our notes and help test each other, there was still the fear of not doing well.

With anxiety building up as the exam dates drew nearer, I stayed up later, slept less, and became more short-tempered at home. I had become so focused and worried about exam results that joy was taken away from me. I was drained and exhausted.

In that moment, it felt like studying was all that mattered, even if it took a toll on me mentally, emotionally, and physically. But on hindsight, I wished I could have reminded myself that there is much more to life than studying and about the importance of cultivating joy, because “a joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Prov 17:22).

The book of Proverbs was put together long ago for God’s people to learn about God’s wisdom, and I find this saying to be so true and relevant today. A joyful heart really lifts me up and makes me feel better like an effective cure, but a crushed spirit can take its toll and drain me completely. The key here is the presence of joy, which makes me wonder, “Where does my joy come from? How do I cultivate a heart that can rejoice in all situations? What tends to take joy away, leaving me feeling crushed, broken, and dry?”

For me, being thankful is one way of cultivating a joyful heart.

When I thank God for His goodness, how He has lavished His love on me, and adopted me into His family through Christ, there is the joy of being loved by my Heavenly Father. When I have my favourite dishes, learn something new in school, or have a happy reunion with loved ones (post-Circuit Breaker), I can thank God for blessing me with these tangible gifts to enjoy in this season of life (Ecc 3:12–13).

When I thank my family members or friends for their kind words, surprise gifts, or acts of faithfulness, they know what they have done have not gone unnoticed, and joy can fill their hearts too. When I choose to give thanks, my heart becomes joyful because I realise I have been blessed with much.

Another way of cultivating a joyful heart is by turning worries into worship.

With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and social unrest around the world, the sheer amount of negative news can make me anxious about the uncertain future. Things can also get stressful for those preparing for major exams, or for those waiting to secure an internship or job during this economic downturn. But instead of letting these worries steal my joy, I can choose to worship.

Because God knows me by name, and all the days of my life have been ordained in His book before one of them comes to be (Ps 139:16), I can surrender my worries into God’s hands, trusting Him to take care of things. When I sing praises or meditate on Scripture, I’m reminded of our eternal hope in Christ that goes beyond this physical world. Through worship, my worries fade and there is fullness of joy.

I hope that no matter what challenges come in your studies or work, joy will not be taken away from you, but will always fill your heart and keep your spirit strong. Be thankful, turn your worries into worship, and may the joy of the Lord be your strength.

PRAYER

Thank You, Lord, for being my source of joy. Fill my heart with joy such that no matter what comes my way, I will sing of Your praises and be an encouraging presence to those around me.

REFLECTION TIME!

1. Who/what brings you true joy? What stops this joy from being taken from you?
2. How can you help to cheer up someone with a crushed spirit?

DELVE DEEPER

Read and reflect on these passages on “joy”:
o Psalm 16:7–11
o Ecclesiastes 3:12–13
o John 15:9–12

HANDLES

Listen for Scripture in songs. Many songs have been inspired by God’s Word and have Bible verses incorporated into the lyrics. As you sing or listen to these songs, find out which Bible verses they are based on, and see how you can apply these words of truth in your life.

Forgiving Your Family

Jiamin Choo — Wed, 13 May 2020 12:19:00 +0000

I didn’t ask to be born first. It’s not fair that my parents expected me to be responsible for my younger siblings, and scolded me harshly whenever something bad happened to them. It wasn’t even my fault,” a friend shared when we were having a heart-to-heart talk. Even though those days of being scolded were a long time ago, recalling those moments brought fresh pain and hurt. “Don’t I matter to them? I’m their child too.” my friend wondered.

Those thoughts felt familiar. Even though I grew up in a Christian home, there have been times when I felt deeply hurt by family members because of unkept promises, insensitive statements, and unnecessary comparisons of me with how well other kids behaved.

No family is perfect. Even the families in the Bible didn’t get it right. In one particular family, the favouritism shown by the parents led to deep-rooted hurts which eventually tore a pair of twin brothers apart for years.

Isaac and Rebekah had become parents to Esau and Jacob. From Scripture, we learn that as the twin boys grew up, with the elder brother Esau becoming a skilful hunter and the younger brother Jacob being the quieter one who liked to stay at home, “Isaac, who had a taste for wild game, loved Esau, but Rebekah loved Jacob” (Gen 25:28 NIV).

Years later, when Isaac was old and wanted to give the unique blessing for the firstborn to Esau, Rebekah and Jacob worked together to trick Isaac into giving the blessing to Jacob instead. This made Esau so angry that he wanted to kill Jacob, but Rebekah helped Jacob to run away from home and escape. (For details on what happened, see Genesis 27.)

With such deep hurts from jealousy, deceit, betrayal and threatened violence, what hope is there for reconciliation between husband and wife, parent and child, and siblings? We can look to the God who created families and showed us what forgiveness looked like. Isaac’s family had been called to honour God and be part of the covenant where “all peoples on earth will be blessed” (Gen 12:3 NIV). Despite their failings, God persisted with this broken family for His redemptive purpose. After over 20 years of estrangement, Jacob and Esau reconciled with a teary embrace (Gen 33). And out of this family line, many generations later, came God’s own Son, Jesus.

This same God then shows His love as our Heavenly Father, by forgiving us of our sins while we were still His enemies, and reconciling with us through Christ (Rom 5:8–10). It is because we have received such a precious gift of forgiveness and reconciliation that we are to extend it to others. Paul’s message to the Ephesian church rings true today, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph 4:32 ESV).

The family you and I have may not be perfect. We may expect our family to love and protect us, to always be there for us and not let us down. Yet no matter how hard our parents, siblings, or even ourselves try to do so, we won’t be able to in our own strength. In every family, there will be days of laughter and days of sadness. During this Covid-19 pandemic, with strict measures so that we “stay home”, stress levels may reach breaking point, with family members venting their frustrations on one another. Yet it is through the family that God works. We learn to love each other. We learn to forgive in times of hurt and pain. And with that we learn the heart of our Heavenly Father who forgave us first.

PRAYER

Dear God, having received Your gift of forgiveness through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, help me forgive family members who have hurt me. Even through the pain, may You bring about healing and reconciliation in Your perfect ways. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME!

1. How did you feel when someone forgave you? To what extent has that influenced the way you treat others who have hurt you?
2. Is there a strained relationship in your family? What can you do to help bring reconciliation?

DELVE DEEPER

Read and reflect on these passages on “forgiveness”:
o Genesis 50:15–21
o Psalm 103:1–14
o Matthew 18:21–35

HANDLES

When reading the Bible, be careful not to pick and choose some words to focus on while ignoring the context of the passage. It’s important to keep things in perspective according to what the biblical author had intended to say to the original readers.

Washed and Risen

Jiamin Choo — Tue, 24 Mar 2020 04:00:00 +0000

It was a special Sunday in December 2010. My 85-year-old grandma, Ah Po, was onstage in my church sanctuary, taking slow, steady steps toward the baptismal pool, where the pastor was waving her toward him. My family and relatives who had gathered had our eyes fixed on Ah Po, excited at what was to come.

As Ah Po lowered herself into the water, she confessed her faith in Jesus before everyone in the sanctuary. The pastor pronounced, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Then he guided Ah Po backward into the water, and when she was raised up again, the entire congregation burst into song, singing, “Happy day, happy day, when Jesus washed my sins away!”

As the sanctuary resounded with claps and cheers, my eyes glistened with happy tears because Ah Po, who had placed her trust in Jesus a few years before that, was now sealing her faith covenant with God through this act of baptism. And like my family members, and the great cloud of witnesses who had gone before us generation by generation, Ah Po had been baptised into His one body, His one Church.

The act of baptism is not only a powerful symbolism of uniting oneself with Jesus in His death and resurrection, which reminds us of the stories behind Good Friday and Easter. It is also a testimony of commitment to follow Christ for the rest of one’s life. This means choosing to turn away from sin so as to live for His glory, and not thinking, “Now that I am saved in Christ, I can sin whenever I want because He will forgive me anyway.”

This is why in Romans 6, Paul urged the young Christian community not to return to their old sinful ways of living with impure motives and breaking God’s law, but to pursue holy living because of their new identity as Jesus-followers. Paul reminded them that “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. … For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin — because anyone who has died has been set free from sin” (Romans 6:4–7).

The act of baptism also paints a picture of the glory that is to come. Because Jesus rose from the dead, death no longer has mastery over Him, and so one day those who believe Him will certainly be united with Him in His resurrection (Rom 6:5, 8–9). This is why, as Christians, we no longer need to fear death because we have been promised freedom and abundant life in Jesus.

In April 2018, Ah Po was hospitalised after a fall. She breathed her very last breath on a Friday morning and passed away peacefully. My family gathered by the hospital bed, gazing upon Ah Po’s body. She looked like she was sound asleep, but her heart had stopped beating, and her body was gradually turning cold. Losing Ah Po was painful, but as Christians, we did not grieve as those who have no hope. We have faith that because Ah Po had been united with Christ in His death, she too will one day be united with Him in His resurrection. It was not “Goodbye” but “See you soon”.

PRAYER

Dear God, thank You for the gift of eternal life through Your Son, Jesus, the Risen Saviour. Help me turn away from my old ways, so as to live a new life in Christ, offering myself as an instrument of righteousness for Your glory. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME!

1. What does baptism mean to you? How do you think it reflects one’s commitment to following Jesus?
2. Have you been baptised? If so, what significant changes in your life have taken place since then? If not, what’s hindering you from being baptised?

*Various church denominations may have various modes of baptism (e.g. immersion, pouring, sprinkling). We encourage you to have a chat with your church leaders if you would like to be baptised or to find out more about baptism

DELVE DEEPER

Read and reflect on these passages on “baptism”:
o Matthew 3:11-17
o Acts 2:37-47
o 1 Corinthians 12:13

HANDLES

As the Bible is the Word of God, unlike any other book written by man, one can only understand its deeper truths through the attitude of faith and spiritual discernment. So, pray before you read the Bible, asking the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart to receive and understand God’s Word.

A Praiseworthy Fear

Jiamin Choo — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 04:00:00 +0000

Earlier this year, clumps of hair began to fall out whenever my fingers gently ran through my long black hair. Even when I didn’t touch my hair, strands fell off easily onto my clothes, my food, and wherever I was standing.

“What’s happening? Haven’t I just recovered from a bout of dengue fever which bruised my body with purplish-red spots? Now that the spots have healed, this hair loss issue comes up! I don’t even dare look at myself in the mirror anymore,” I wrestled silently. My soft and thick hair, the very feature that used to bring me pride and joy, was turning into limp, lifeless strands.

One evening, as I sat on the floor in disbelief, staring at yet another clump of hair on the ground, my husband quietly came behind me, sat down and hugged me close. I blurted out, “At this rate of severe hair loss, I’m afraid I’ll become bald.” He said, “You’ll always be beautiful to me.” When I asked why, he quoted from Proverbs 31:30, “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.”

In my mind, I knew that verse rang true, but my heart didn’t believe it fully. It felt like a consolation prize to soothe my downcast spirit. Later, my husband explained, “I didn’t marry you because of your head full of hair. I married you because of your heart full of gold. Because you are a child of God who fears Him, you are a reflection of who He is, and that is what matters most.” It dawned on me that he wasn’t offering me a consolation prize, but a top prize which sparked affirmation and praise.

As I reflected on the God-fearing woman in Proverbs 31:10–31, I realised that little is mentioned about her looks, but much is emphasised about the works of her hands, and her heart behind her actions. She is hard working inside and outside the home (v.13–19), generous towards the needy (v.20) and well-prepared for tough times (v.21). One interesting fact about this Bible passage is that it is actually an acrostic poem, where each of the 22 lines starts with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. To have the description of the woman end with verse 30, praising her fear of the Lord above the transient nature of beauty, reminded me that the most important thing is to value my relationship with God above external appearances.

It may seem strange that the fear of the Lord can be a good thing and even praiseworthy, because the word “fear” tends to be associated with negative emotions or dreadful experiences. However, the root of the word “fear” in Hebrew actually connotes a sense of reverent awe or worshipful respect. According to Old Testament scholar John Goldingay, “Hebrew uses the same words for being afraid of someone fearsome and for respecting someone whom it’s appropriate to revere…. In the Wisdom books, awe is seen as a key aspect of a relationship with God, of crucial importance to understanding God and life.” The praiseworthy woman knows who God is and has a right attitude towards Him.

My hair fall issue continued for a few months, but it healed naturally. New hair grew back as my hair growth cycle normalised, and I was relieved. Looking back, I realised that while I was fearing the loss of beauty, it was more important to fear the Lord. In our world today, where we may easily compliment one another on OOTDs, talents or achievements unlocked, may we be challenged instead to praise one another for our fear of the Lord because that is the most attractive quality that is everlasting

PRAYER
Dear Lord, I desire to worship You in reverent awe. Teach me Your way, that I may walk in Your truth. Grant me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your holy name. Amen.

REFLECTION TIME
1. Is there someone in your life whom you can describe as a “woman who fears the Lord”? Who is she, and which of her attributes do you admire?
2. To what extent would you consider yourself as a “woman who fears the Lord”? What is one thing you can do to instil a greater sense of the awe of God?

DELVE DEEPER
Read and reflect on these passages on “fearing the Lord”:
o Deuteronomy 10:12-22
o Psalm 147:10-11
o Proverbs 14:2

HANDLES
When reading a passage of Scripture, look out for what the passage tells you about God, people, and their relationship with Him. Consider how the passage affects your view of God and people, then think of one thing you need to change in response to what you have learned. For more information about this method, which is known as Discovery Bible Study, visit dbsguide.org