Memorable Moments of 2013

Believe it or not, tomorrow's New Year's Eve already!
Before the year ends I believe that 2013 actually deserves at least one blog post! I'm gonna just quickly run through how 2013 was like for me. 

I'll sum it up to 3 memorable moments in 2013 (I was gonna consider going with 13, but.. I just got a little lazy!) And I guess to make it easier, I decided to go along with the 3 words that described 2013 for me which I wrote in a bookmark when I did a personal reflection together with my Cell Members. 


TADDAA.. 





















I'll go with pictures and let it paint the words and I'll also add on with some touch ups and thoughts :) 

FOOTPRINTS

I sang farewell to PwC!

Continuation from the previous blog post, yes I have kept my word and left the market place after 4.5 years! 1 year doing Audit and 3.5 years in Business Research. I will not trade it for anything. The memories are so precious to me.  I really wanted to leave a "FootPrint" behind before I go so I prayed and asked God for an inspiration. Then I had this thought, instead of giving a conventional farewell speech, how about singing them some songs?! Well, I typically don't like being put in the limelight and speaking in front of a crowd is not my thing, but it seems like God tends to inspire me to do crazy things that require me to be in front of crowds. Accks... Anyways, if it's to make His name known.... I'll go for it.... so... I DID IT! My colleagues who were part of the little surprise item were very supportive and I am glad I was crazy enough to do it! I sang "What Faith Can Do" by Kutless and also did a rendition of Dionne Warwick's "That's What Friends Are For" and titled it "I'm Gonna Miss You All". This would definitely be one of the highlights of my entire LIFE. You can watch the recording  here if you like :)  Also wrote a farewell email note that was a little out of this world that caught some of the Partners' attention. HeeHee... it came with a twist from my first ever write-up introducing myself to PwC in June 2008. I actually have it here in one of my very old post . 

Yeah, they pretty much "kicked" me out.

JOY & PEACE

Ze New Work Station

 
 

YES! I've boldly entered into full time ministry!  It's been a steep learning curve for me this year. A totally fresh new beginning, environment, colleagues etc. 

And yes these are my awesomest colleagues in the whole wide world (ok, a bit of an "overkill" but I still biasedly think they are la) ! Many people patted me on the back and wished me "good luck" when they heard the news that I was gonna come in as Pr Lee Choo's PA. Well, guess what, it's been a joyful and peaceful journey! I never regretted my decision and working under PLC is really mind-blowing and very fulfilling. Perhaps not many people would want to be in my shoe but I consider it a huge privilege to be where I am right now! I'm privileged to be given the opportunity to observe and learn from one of the most inspiring woman of God! I remember driving through the highway rushing to her home to pick up an important document and dashed in lighting speed to the airport to pass her the document. In the midst of that drive,  I plucked a smile on my face knowing deep down inside that I am at the right place at the right time in this season of my life. That thought probably came at the oddest moment, but I just knew in my heart, I loved being part of a strangely indescribable bigger picture of what's God doing this season. 

Me & the New Boss 

Another big moment that describes my joy and peace... My privilege to set foot on one of the most beautiful place on earth, God's holy ground, Ba'kelalan. 

Their hospitality was top class and they fed us to the brim
and we ate like there's no tomorrow!

Memory of a lifetime! The spiritual atmosphere in this land is unsurprisingly out of the ordinary. I could feel the chills (well not just because it's up at the mountains)and the presence of God was almost like it's tangible. I remember praying for a friend up in the prayer house. I've never heard God so clearly before, that I knew it was the word for him. I shared it with him and he was deeply ministered to. 

Ibu Maria

Ibu Maria, one of the revivalist prayed for me and gave me a Lun Bawang name, "Ineng", which means "precious daughter". 

We had an unplanned "kebaktian" on our second night there, Pr Dan was asked to share a message to bless the village people. He shared about the passing of the Moses anointing to the Joshua's Generation. During the closing of the session, Pr Dan invited us to pray for the older "Moses Generation" for blessings and also strength despite their advanced age. I felt rather unworthy of doing so but was deeply honoured to do so. Some of the "Ibu-Ibu"s wept tears and I sense their hunger and vulnerability towards God. In return, they also prayed for us. Our team was surrounded by them in a circle. One Ibu who was standing in front of me took a step forward and hugged me tightly, she wept tears on my chest and wailed loudly for quite some time. I don't know how to describe the feeling running through my heart and mind at that point (writing this still gives me the chills like it just happened yesterday), I couldn't help it and I teared as well. Then she started to speak out. I couldn't decipher if she was speaking in Lun Bawang (her native language) or in spiritual tongues. I just knew in my heart that something was taking place. Perhaps a spiritual transaction, a passing on of an anointing. When the service ended, our Guide came to me and spoke with me. He told me something that blew my mind. The lady who was praying for me, she's one of the prophetess who was present during the revival that took place in 1984 and her name is.... "INENG". 
Wow. Just wow. 

STRETCHED

Gearing up towards the 3rd quarter of the year, things got busier and busier. SOLID Assignments start piling up, retreats after retreats, Cell Harvest, the list goes on... 
It's been stretchingggggg..... nonetheless, very fulfilling. 

Silent Retreat @ Bentong

I love this quote.

How I describe SOLID in an acronym ;)

Cell Harvest with people close to my heart! ;)

Just when I thought that I was ready to wind down for the year. God wasn't done with me yet. 3 words were just not enough to describe my 2013. One of the most significant event in my life took place. It all started from this SOLID class....

Pr Chew teaching Expository Preaching.
Preach it like da boss! 

When I signed up for SOLID class, inside of me, I exclaimed.... "oh my gahhh!!" when I saw Expo Preaching (Practical) as one of the classes. I was quite tempted to drop the subject because I wanted to escape public speaking. I'm fearful of speaking in front of a crowd. However, time and time again, it seems that God is challenging me to step out of my comfort zone. I had to preach a 15-minute sermon during staff devotion. I wanted to preach on something that I've personally internalised and the word that God gave me for that season was "A Fresh Vision of Jesus".  The thought that came to me was to look for passages that speaks about blind men. Then I came across Mark 8:22-26 and I knew this was the passage I should preach on. 

Check out my sermon script! Fuuwahh!

It was a lot of effort put in to research and exegete the Word. Phew, I applaud our pastors or generally just any preacher out there who preach expository sermons...it's really a lot of work! 

On 3 December 2013, I preached it to the staff team. Pr Chew heard the message for the first time, he encouraged me on a message well delivered and he felt that this message was for a larger audience. And he got Pr Lee Choo to speak with me and encouraged me to co-preach with her in the main service. My heart almost fell out of the window when Pr Lee Choo gave me a call and extended this opportunity to me. After much thought, I felt that if this was God's word for the season and it's for His people, I should not withhold and I should preach it out. 

So, on 22 December, I delivered my first maiden sermon in the pulpit of SIBKL church together with Pr Lee Choo. 

 

In Bangunan Yin

In SMCC

YES, I DID IT. I still cannot believe it! I felt like a donkey 

(refer to previous post about ASS-es :P) being used by Jesus to preach to thousands. 

It was an eventful year for me. 

So how did the year go for me, I'd say, I've been HUMBLED. 

The year is coming to a close in a few hours' time as I;m typing this out, I'm starting to realise how God's been journeying with me faithfully this year. It is indeed a NEW SEASON and a NEW MOMENTUM...

At the beginning of 2013, Pr Chew's first sermon says, "DON'T STOP NOW!"... and now as I end the year, I believe I shouldn't stop here, I'm gonna live out the FRESH JESUS that Jesus had put inside of me... 

Mark 8:22-26

1. I need to TARRY –  beg him for it! 

2. I need to be TAKEN AWAY – get out of your current condition! 

3. I need to be TOUCHED – by Jesus 

4. I need to TRAVAIL – don’t settle for better! Ask for MORE! Get a FRESH VISION from God!!! 

Sermon Art courtesy of the SIBKL MaC team :) 

OK, I'll make that 4 memorable moments.... fine, I lost count. God's just been way too good to me ;D Looking forward to an even greater year ahead! 2014... here I come!!! 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014!! 

Giving My Best (GMB)

One of the biggest questions that I have been asking myself of late. Have I been giving my best to the Lord? Whatever I am doing right now, am I doing this for Him? Or for myself? What actually, is the definition of "my best"? 

"God wants you to give Him your best ” is a common statement. But what I consider my “best” is not always in line with what God calls best. “Giving your best to God” sounds cliché, but is a recurring theme throughout the bible. Examples that I could think of include, Abraham offering his son Isaac (Genesis 22),  the widow who placed two small copper coins into the offering box (Luke 21:1-4), and Mary of Bethany who anointed the feet of Jesus with expensive ointment (John 12:3). 

Much of these actions require sacrifices. Giving things most precious to them. I wonder, what would be the depth of sacrifice that I am willing to give to God? Sometimes I feel that I am doing God a big favour. When the greatest things in life aren't found in fame, stature, money, basically, the things that we usually want to have, then why is it so hard to give up to Him? The one that gave it all from the beginning? I struggle to express how I feel about it. 

I feel restless and dissatisfied despite all that I am doing now. Am I living a life that's actually worthy of His calling? Or have I carelessly misplaced the devotion that I should have for Him in the midst of chasing my dreams and desires? The busyness of the months and years of my youth ticking past just with the blink of an eye almost as fast as a bullet train. The oxymoron of being contented yet dissatisfied comes into the picture, once again. 

Living in my late 20s, I thought, perhaps giving my prime years to God before I "settle down", have a husband and 2.5 kids (by God's grace, that is!) could at least be the best that I can give to Him now. I actually had some things planned out in mind, I even crafted what I thought I'd do. The thought of full time ministry did cross my mind in the early years of my faith, but I still struggle with the idea of me doing this some day. I cannot imagine that day coming. Hmm... maybe next time. 

God has His own sense of humour.
Just 2 months back, I was given an offer that I found it extremely hard to say yes to. 

....I was offered a position to be a full time staff in church. (so soon?!)

Seriously? You'd probably change your mind if you really got to know the person underneath this skin. Sorry, I would likely disappoint you. I can be selfish enough to turn it down. I took almost 2 months to pray about it. Thinking of the possible 'what ifs' ahead. This wasn't what I was asking for. I had it all sort of planned out already. I know what works for me and what fits me best (At least I thought so!). 

I thought I already had it all planned out.  Since a few years back, I thought that one day I would go in full time with Generasi Gemilang (GG). Why did this offer had to come in the way to complicate things? I struggled between both choices. So I made plans to still go ahead to apply for a job in GG.  On the day of the interview, I believed everything went well. But one thing that I didn't have when I walked out of the interview was... PEACE. 
I struggled with that feeling inside of me asking myself why. 

Most of the time, it's just so much easier to give Him my leftovers.  It's easy to sing, "Lord I offer my life to You" but difficult to live it out. Does it actually matter? After all, everyone struggles with it and I am no different. Until when I am not so busy, I will devote more time for your work, God. I will only be a shepherd after I am a manager, God.

Then I remembered the scripture about Cain and Abel. I did a mini study about it and came about some insights about it. 

“And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto Jehovah. And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And Jehovah had respect unto Abel and to his offering: but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell” (Gen. 4:3-5).

Cain and Abel gave offerings to God. Cain gave God an offering from his garden and Abel from his flock.
Why was God not pleased with Cain's offering? Why did He prefer Abel's? After all, both of them did sacrifice something. Why was He so nit-picky about it? I would think that they gave to God what they could. But wait a minute, did they actually give their best to God? Was that really their personal best?

Then it struck me that God was actually looking at the condition of their hearts. Cain gave his leftovers (whatever he's comfortable with and convenient), Abel gave his everything. In line with that, I believe God was looking into my heart condition as well. When I say I want to give my best to God during my prime years, is going to GG my best? Or giving myself full time in church? Yes, working in GG and in church still serves similiar purposes, just like Cain and Abel's personal sacrifices, but what's the heart condition behind both? 

Then I figured it out eventually.... in my personal condition, going to GG would not be "my best". That could be someone else's "best". But I know honestly that it's not my "best" for God. Going into the GG would be where I would feel comfortable and it's convenient. If I were to label myself, if I took that path this season, I would fall under the category of the many "Cains" of this world. 
Though very difficult, I want to give an "Abel sacrifice".

Recently, a friend, Chia Yen passed away after battling lung cancer for slightly over a year. She left behind her husband and her beautiful 4-year-old daughter. She was only 32. Her death was an awakening for me when I observed the life that she lived since the days I knew her in my first church in Brisbane. She was a true shepherd to many and chose to serve full time in church as an administrator since she graduated. She held a Masters degree. After moving back to her home country in Singapore, she was attached to Focus on the Family. Though I don't know her very well, I followed her blog , despite her challenges in battling cancer, just by observing the way she lived her life, her obedience to just give her best years to God, that really stirred me even more in affirming the words that God instilled in me. Life can be so short. How would I know if I could actually live till I'm 40 and say that, "OK God, now I'm comfortable enough to serve you full time, so where were we at when we talked about this about 10+ years ago??" What if my time on the face of this earth ends at 32 years? During my final breaths, would I be regretting that I didn't just take this step to give my prime years to God? What if this season is all I have to give? 

On Thursday, I did the unthinkable. 
I submitted my resignation letter. 
The irony, I felt a strong sense of relief and peace in me. 
I knew I made the right choice.

Next year 2013, a new season and new momentum begins. The next two years of my life is dedicated to Him. I'm coming in to His house and my boss is literally that Big guy up in heaven! 

In the eyes of the world, I may look like I am moving backward, but you know, sometimes moving backward is a way of moving forward in the eyes of God! 
When I move "backwards", I take a step back from my "auto-piloted" life, I'm moving forward in my faith journey with God.

I'm nervous but yet, shoooo... excited at the same time! 
A new chapter awaits!! 

I don't know what the future holds but I trust and believe that when you give your best to God, He will not shortchange you. 

So, are you a Cain or an Abel in 

your offerings to God??

(Psst.. btw, GG is still hiring, anyone here feels called to apply to go full time there? They are doing an awesome job in the community!! *winks* that could be your "best"... )

"Live everyday like it is your last. 

Don't waste it, but steward the gift of life well. 

Lose it to gain it back."

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Cor 4:16-18

"JESUS IT IS YOU"

Music & Lyrics by Ben Manusama

Verse 1:
Who makes the sun to rise
And bring the earth new life in every beam
Jesus it is You
Who turns the day to night
And watches me as I begin to dream 
Jesus it is You

Who brings me food for my table
Who cares for all of my needs
Who walks the road with me
Has grown with me 
Through all that I have been
Jesus it is You
Jesus it is You

Chorus:
I lift my hands
I bring my song
All of my days 
All of my rights, all of my wrongs
I offer my life
Here and beyond
To the One thing true 
Jesus it is You

Verse 2:
Who sees my brokenness 
And carries me when I am frail and weak
Jesus it is You
Who tells the storm to rest 
When I am overwhelmed and cannot speak
Jesus it is You

Who wears my guilt on His shoulders
Who holds my heart in His hands
Who takes my thoughts and fears
And hangs them on the arms of Calvary
Jesus it is You
Jesus it is You

Looking For Love

"The greatest things take time
And though I know that's wise but its hard when your heart wants something more
truth is i'm super strong
I've waited for so long
but I can't pretend it
I'm a sucker for romance

I know this was planned before time
We wanna do this, do this right

I wasn't look out for answers
I wasn't looking for a cure
I was just hoping and waiting for my turn

I wasn't looking for adventure, no
I wasn't trying to save the world
I was just looking, 
I was looking out for love

Open my eyes see your the surprises my life has brought so far
When is right you'll walk into my life
I'm gonna wait for that day."

~Sophie Joy Madison

Post Easter...

Post Easter, just had a little thought to ponder after hearing much from our missionary who shared with us last night at prayer meeting about what God is doing in Tibet. 
Truly the resurrection of Jesus does not end at when He is risen.. the story continues with the followers. 


Had a personal revelation when I found this in one of my old notebooks....way before "Draw Something" was invented, we once had an icebreaker in a meeting and did something similar.....
We were asked to draw "SIBKL", and I came up with this >>

Had another "wow" moment with God again, when I looked at this piece of "art", and I somehow had a personal revelation recently when the phrase, "Ass I be" appeared in my thoughts! BWAHAHAHA... xD I know it sounds quite silly but hey, it made a lot of sense to me! 


Jesus could have chosen to ride on a white stallion with stature but when He entered Jerusalem, He used an ASS instead! (Matthew 21). 
I believe that reflects upon the meaning that asses were something lesser people rode, while horses were reserved for the rich.
And Jesus can use an ass and it depicts His humbleness as being just like one of us or even lesser. 


Jesus wants to enter your city, your workplace, your family. And He chooses to use you as a means of getting there. “How can he use me?” you ask. “I’m nothing but an ass."


If Jesus can use an ass, He can use you too! 
And the acronym of SIBKL represents a bunch of ASSES who can be used by Jesus.... 


Ass I shall be... in KL... (and beyond..!)

Jesus' wings: Let him fill your "love tank"

I sensed in my spirit, together with some of us with similar "tuggings" that we should continue to seek God and really carry on with the attitude of worship within us. It's really amazing when you know that God is speaking to us when people around you catch similar sensing through different means -- dreams, songs, the Word. 

Last night in cell meeting, we had a deep time of reflection through sharing testimonies, extended time of praise and worship, communion and prayer. Over the past weeks, it has been physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually draining for me. Even as I attempted to prepare myself for cell meeting this week, I felt challenged and I couldn't concentrate....perhaps overwhelmed by an ordeal that I was struggling through. There were nights where I was so drained that I just lazed on the sofa, stare at the TV watching American Idol, I didn't feel like doing anything.

One night during that quiet moment with God, a passage came to mind. 

Didn't think much of it. Wrote it in my journal. Not sure what God was impressing in my heart. 

Recently, the ordeal that I was going through, it took its toll and "erupted". My ignorance suddenly woke up, realising that my actions crushed a person. 

When I finally came to terms with this, when I looked to the person in the eye, I saw hurt, brokenness.  I suddenly had a God-moment, the passages that God gave me came hitting me in the face. 

"44 Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. 45 You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. 46 You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. 47 Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

~Luke 7:44-47

I recalled a revelation that I had from a book that I read some time back about this passage.  

...her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” 

When Jesus came to Simon, who was apparently the host, treated Jesus like an "unwanted" guest, in today's context, he didn't "open the door for him, shake his hand" - meaning...he had  no manners. 

However, the woman, so lowly who didn't even deserve to be named, unkindly only known as the "sinful" woman, did all that Simon didn't. She came thirsty and hungry. Thirsty for guilt, hungry for regret. 

Simon, didn't even know whether he is thirsty or hungry. He doesn't even asks for grace. He's too proud but instead take on the grace and dissects it intellectually, debate on it etc. 

The sinful woman, experienced an immeasurable extent of forgiveness, she knew what love really meant. And because of this, she couldn't stop tasting Jesus' love and love is filled into her "love tank". 

Simon, didn't ask or desired for grace nor forgiveness, he doesn't even know the existence of a love tank. His love tank was "empty". 

I sensed a question came to me, "How's your love tank?"  

Then I felt in my heart an impression came and told me, "You are like Simon." 

I almost couldn't hold back my tears. I was crushed that I didn't realise how far I have gone from his love. My love tank has gone unattended and rusty. My actions reflected it all. 

"While she had ample love to give, he had no love to offer."

I couldn't give real love. I felt like Judas giving Jesus' a kiss. 

I could probably speak eloquently about God's love, go to church, pray, worship God...  but I couldn't embrace it and I had none to give. And the emptiness of lack of love showed in my actions. 

I remembered some time back, I was challenged to do this. 

Try paraphrase 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 by replacing the word "Love" with my name and recite it out loud. (Try it.... see how far can you go.)


"Miranda is patient, Miranda is kind. Miranda does not envy, Miranda does not boast, Miranda is not proud....."

Wooah.. wooah... hold up there....
I couldn't even recite half of it when I attempted to do it during the time of reflection in cell meet this week. I realised that I was none of these. I would be the biggest liar if I dare say these. Most of the time, we say it so conveniently. We take it so lightly. We take it for granted that by our own strength, we will never be able to become any of these. 

Only one person who ever walked the face of the earth could. JESUS. 

And if we read the same passage by replacing the word LOVE with JESUS......

"Jesus is patient, Jesus is kind. Jesus does not envy, Jesus does not boast, Jesus is not proud. Jesus is not rude, Jesus is not self-seeking, Jesus is not easily angered, Jesus keeps no record of wrongs. Jesus does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Jesus always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Jesus never fails."

We know he meets it all. 

Rather than reminding ourselves that we cannot produce such love, let's remind us of the love that we cannot resist! God's love. 

"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." ~ 1 John 4:9-10

I don't know about you, I was disappointed by what had happened to me this week. But for me right now, I want to be the sinful woman. I want to be called the sinful woman without a name. 

I need to taste the forgiveness of God, so that I can learn how to love once again.... 

We need to receive HIS LOVE in order to GIVE LOVE. Because we cannot give what we do not have. Embrace how much He loves you so that you know how to love the unlovable, those who have hurt you, disappoint you, betrayed you, crushed you. 

Question. Once again, how's your love tank?

...Half-full?

...A quarter full? 

...Almost empty? 

...Leaking? 

...Damaged? 

Luke 7:47 ~ It reflects Jesus' wings of love in the form a 747 aircraft. Let his love lift you up the the next level. Let his love set you free through forgiveness. 


Come thirsty and hungry this season of Easter, taste his love once again... fill up your "love tank" with the love from the one and only who can satisfy....

"How He Loves"

by John Mark McMillan

He is jealous for me

Loves like a hurricane

I am a tree

Bending beneath

The weight of his wind and mercy

When all of a sudden

I am unaware of these

Afflictions eclipsed by glory

And I realize how beautiful you are

And how great your afflictions for me

Oh how he loves us so

Oh how he loves us

How he loves us so

Yea He loves us

Oh how

We are his portion

And he is our prize

Drawn to redemption by the grace in his eyes

If grace is an ocean we're all sinking

So heaven meats earth like a sloppy wet kiss

And my heart burns violently inside of my chest

I don't have time to maintain these regrets

When I think about the way

He loves us

Oh how he loves us so

Oh how he loves us

How he loves us so

 

Pondering lent... Being Simon

Preparing bible discussion for the season of lent has been pretty reflective for me this season. Just last Friday in cellgroup, we shared about living a life that counts for God, and also finishing the race well. Reading through the passages on Mark 15:16-39, as I pondered upon what verses stood out to me, there were a few. However, two distinctively stayed imprinted in my mind until today. And they were passages that mentioned about "The Crucifixion". 


First observation..

(v21) "Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross."


I thought of this question...


"Why of all people among the crowd, Simon of Cyrene was selected to carry the cross?"
I did some research and came across these findings....


The word compelled was actually of the same word used in Matthew 5:41, that says, "And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two", and it refers to the Romans who had the authority to order any Jew to perform any activity in the service of Caesar, and the Latin word comes from the literal meaning of the Persian word is to be “pressed into the service of a king” . Guess what, he actually was serving a king! He probably had not realised yet, is that the king that he was "compelled" to serve that day was not the king of Rome, but the king of Israel, JESUS! Imagine the shame of having to walk right behind a condemned man, bearing the burden of what he may think that wasn't his, obligated to carry the cross with a journey which felt like as long as walking through a desert without water. 


As he journey through, I believe Simon would have gradually realise that the man he had walked behind, was actually his saviour who had borne his transgressions. On that very important day, it was Simon's first meeting with his Saviour,  as he looked at the eyes of Christ, the thing that would have impressed Simon is that he didn’t see the eyes of a guilty man, nor an angry man, nor a defeated man. I would have imagined what he saw was the look of determined man who wanted to go to Golgotha, a man who wanted Simon to bear the cross and help him to that destiny, a man who wanted to go there, and I thought I should emphasise  (v23) ....they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it..." after tasting it and knowing that it was to numb his pain, he chose to endure EVERY SIN that hurts to the deepest part of his skin and bones. And maybe, when he got there Jesus might have uttered quiet ‘thank you Simon’ as the burden was lifted off Simon.


Remember the passage it says that Simon was coming out of the countryside into the city of Jerusalem, and Jesus was being brought out Jerusalem.... these two men were travelling in opposite directions on that day. Notice a symbolic act that took place, Simon was called to serve the king of kings, he had to "turn around" and as you can see, he started walking towards the opposite direction, "the way of Jesus". His life was completely turned around by this meeting of the crucified Christ! His steps now follows Christ! 


Isn't this amazing?? What about you? Do you know that we are all called to be the "Simon of Cyrenes" of today? Through the sacrifice of our Lord, we have experienced the love of Jesus,  Just like the depiction of a mother giving birth to a child (quote: Amanda, "pop~!" xD) , she would refuse the epidural, Jesus refused the wine with myrrh, Jesus ran his race well, he did not give up nor take the "short cut" and he endured all the way. 
If God had called you this day, to "take up your cross and follow me", would you do it? 


I found this sharing online written on someone's blog about 
"The Cyrene Privilege: Being Simon".. as promised here's the excerpt of the poem.. 



....Loud and spitting people,
Cruel and frightful looking soldiers,
'Swish', the cane, time and time again!
Pandemonium, dust, anger, smell of blood.


Beaten man, battered man!
Heavy cross;They must really hate this guy.
I'll really hate to be him right now
All around; curses, stones, laughter, mockery.
What could he have really done to deserve all this?


Holy-looking pharisees,
Frightful looking followers; Crying women... this is crazy !


I should be on my way... WHAT!?
Me ? Take the cross ? Help him ? Why me ? Oh no!?
I was just passing, just watching ?!
I am out of luck!


This is really heavy! What could he have done to deserve this ?
How could he have anymore energy to lift this after all this beating and maiming?
Look at him - By God and the prophets, what has he done? Don't these people have pity?


Will I be able ? This Cross is weighing me down! I didn't bargain for this.
Its not mine to carry. This is killing me---all for someone I barely know.


This man... look at him...scarred, bloodied, hurt!
But the peace in his eyes, the humility in his step, the meekness in his pain, the determination in his countenance. He really believes he is up to something groundbreaking here.
This Jesus must be made out of stone!. Why is he doing this ? Why not just denounce and go his way ?
Why will he endure all this ? And go through all this ? Didnt I hear Pilate gave him a way out ?


He must really believe what he is doing.
He must really love his followers...
He must really really be committed to his cause and His Father.
I guess  helping him out is not that bad after all.
I suppose I can carry for a few metres , what he has carried a whole long way!
I think I can help this man, even if I was only forced to do it.
I think I will bear the weight, only if to give him some temporal respite.


I think I can do it.


I think i can; I know I should; Its the right thing to do ...


I always wondered what Simon of Cyrene thought when he was ordered to help Jesus carry his cross unto Calvary. I was gonna preach on this but i really cannot do it justice ...not at this time. So I just put down some disjoint thoughts.


History and the Bible don't give enough information about him for us to know if he was or wasn't a follower of Christ. Either way, he secures a very enviable place in my heart, as being the one man to have helped Jesus on his way to save me. I cant expound anymore on this but just say that, whatever his intentions were, and however it came to be that he was asked to help the King of Kings -  It was a privilege no one else in the world would ever  have again!


I would have loved to be Simon of Cyrene... I don't know about you.
But to carry the cross, endure the whip, the scorching sun, the dust, the dirt, the stones, and the curses.
I would have loved - if only for a short way off - to have helped my Saviour, as he toiled to save me.
I would have loved to be Simon of Cyrene, even if i didn't intend on being him from the start.


Maybe Simon didn't know the 'why', but I do.
Maybe Simon didn't want to try, but I would.
Maybe Simon wasn't sure of it all , but I  am.


I would have loved to help my Saviour, my redeemer, my king.
I would have been scared, but I would have loved to try...show him, how much he meant to me.
Such that if carrying that cross was all I could do , I would have carried it like a king carried a crown.


But wait! I think I still can!
I can still carry my cross - And be Simon in my own way...my own very small way.
I can bear the cross of the world, love my enemies, endure scorn for righteousness.
I think I still can stand for the right, and say no to wrong, and go against the tide.
I think I still can love my neighbour, help the needy, forgive my wrongdoers.
I think I can still carry the cross and follow my Jesus .
I might not be Simon, but I think I can still try to help Jesus , My Lord.


'Cos I know He did it for no one else but me.
'Cos I know the blood,the sweat, the tears....were shed for me.
'Cos I know he deserved it not, but bore it all.
And 'cos I know it was gonna be alright, come Easter Sunday.


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Let's prepare our hearts during this season of lent and spend some time to reflect on Jesus and his love for us in our lives....  


Worthy is the lamb, that was slain...