Random Musings

This isn’t going to be one of those “I just came back from a mission trip and I’m a completely transformed human being” or “I just came back from a mission trip and I am inspired to change the world” kind of post.

I’m just not built that way.

However, I would like to share some of the many thoughts I had while on my mission trip.

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The Workers Are Few

“Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.’” – Matthew 9:37-38

We often hear this verse being used whenever we talk about missions. If there’s one thing this mission trip has taught me, it is that this verse is ever so real.

This mission trip allowed me to see how much work needs to be done out there in the mission fields. It showed me that there really IS a lot that needs to be done…and it’s waiting for people like us to go out there and do it. 

I saw villages with many unsaved souls desperately in need for someone to bring the Gospel to them, and to care for their basic needs.

I saw children, orphans even, with faces as pure as the morning bloom singing their hearts out to the Lord because He is the greatest thing they’ve ever known in their young lives.

I saw that the harvest is indeed plentiful, but the workers are few. There is so much work out there to be done…but so little of us who are willing to do it.

Not that we can’t do it. I believe we can.

Instead of saying “But what can I do?” perhaps we can say something like “Lord, here I am, what would You like me to do?”

I’d like to think that the latter is a better approach. The former seems to imply that you don’t seem to see yourself fit to serve in any way and implies a slight reluctance, the latter seems to imply that you are willing to be used in whatever way possible.

After all, the Great Commission is everyone’s responsibility. It’s not a choice. It’s a responsibility. 

I have been very guilty of being negligent towards the Great Commission. Many a times, I say stuff like “Oh, I’ll serve in other areas apart from Missions, such as worship and music. Missions is just not my forte.”

However, God has shown me that the Great Commission is the responsibility of every Christian.

It’s not a choice.

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A Different Life

It’s a totally different life over there.

No proper clothes and shoes, no phones, no cars (but got a few motorbikes), no TV, no Internet, no proper sanitation facilities, no supermarkets, no proper roads, no proper lighting, etc.

But yet, they live on.

It’s a simple life they live. The people are warm and friendly. And they seem happy. They seem to be living even happier lives than some of the people here in S’pore. (Well, at least they smile more.)

Which makes me wonder what kind of lives we’re actually living here in S’pore? I mean, working our lives away at the office, chasing after the dollars, buying clothes, cars, houses, shares, etc, eating good food, being too busy for any work related to church, being too busy for friends and family, being too busy for anything other than our own personal needs. 

What’s it all for? Are the things that we are currently pursuing that much more worthwhile?

Does the life we live here in S’pore necessarily guarantee us greater rewards when we get to heaven? 

Are we on the right track in God’s eyes?

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A Life Of Service

I was very moved when I saw that there are a number of S’poreans who had decided to heed God’s calling to give up everything in their lives here in S’pore to go to Northern Thailand to serve Him by running institutions such as a Christian training centre, a children’s tuition centre, a kindergarten, etc or simply to help the villagers in whatever way God wishes to use them, be it in the area of education or even music.

There were male mission workers, there were female mission workers. There were old people, there were young people.

All were being greatly blessed and used by God.

Just imagine that - Dropping everything you have right now to go serve Him full-time in a mountain village in Northern Thailand for an indefinite period of time. 

Surely it is an IMPOSSIBLE thought for all of us, right? There’s no way we can possibly even start to entertain such an absurd thought.

We’ve just got too many important things in our lives right now to do such a thing. It’s too big a sacrifice. We’ve got our jobs to worry about, we’ve got our families to take care of, we’ve got so many friends back here in S’pore, we’ve got our own lives to live, and we’ve got big dreams to fulfill here in S’pore…such as dreams of playing in a band, or dreams of working our way up to becoming a company director some day, or dreams of building up a thriving business and making lots of money, or dreams of building up a nice little family of our own some day.

Let those who’ve got less commitments in life do the hard-core mission work.

Our lives are too important to be used in that way.

There’s just too many things in our lives right now.

I was particularly moved when we met up with a S’pore guy who is running a home in the region for orphans and less privileged children, and has been doing it for almost 20 years. It’s very tough work, and there were many times when he was at his wit’s end, due to lack of aid and resources…but God has miraculously guided the children’s home safely all these years, and the fact that it is still standing today, and that there are dozens of children happily living in it is a huge testament to God’s greatness.

This guy is getting on in years, but he is still extremely cheerful and optimistic about the direction in which he wishes to further develop his chosen ministry.

The part which moved me the most was when someone asked him how long more he intends to continue running the children’s home.

His answer was “Until the day the Lord calls me back. This is what I’ve been called to do with my life.” And he said it with a wide smile.

Man, that really moved me to bits.

He knew what his calling in life was…and he gladly gave it his all. And he’s willing to serve at it till his last day on earth.

Do you know what you’re meant to do with your life?

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That’s all I can share for today.

Will probably share more of my thoughts in the coming days, if possible.