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Following God Outside of Sunday

In this post, our Associate Elder and Deacon, Lup Meng, gives us a peek into his life as he lives out the implications of the gospel mid week:

Let’s face it.  We live at a fast pace in Singapore.  Whether you are a working professional, a student or a stay-at-home mum, we are bombarded with urgent deadlines, tasks, chores and to-do lists that demand our attention every waking hour, and then some.  Many of us can’t wait for the weekend so that we can sit back, relax and rest (if only for two days) before heading back to the grind again for another week.  Where does God fit into this picture of our lives?  How does the gospel shape and inform the decisions and choices that we make every day?  I struggle with these questions quite often, especially when the demands of my work and deadlines loom, and God sometimes seems so far away.  Am I just a ‘weekend’ Christian going to church every Sunday and compartmentalising that part of my life into a separate category from other aspects?  How can I effectively follow Christ in all areas of my life, especially at work, which takes up a large chunk of my waking hours?

While having regular daily time with God and His word is crucial in our walk with Him, here are some reminders and thoughts that I have found useful in helping me put the things of God into sharper focus and perspective in relation to the things of this world.  These have encouraged me to desire Christ even more and to want to rely on His strength daily.

I am an ambassador for Christ

“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Cor 5:20)

As a Christian, I am well aware of this verse, but what does it really mean in my daily walk?  As I see it, it compels me to be doing the work of Christ, as if He were in my shoes.  For me, that means looking out for opportunities to show the Father’s glory. Whether it’s in helping out another colleague, showing kindness or most of all, sharing about my faith, it is about doing the Father’s will. I find that as I do that, and especially as I try to steer conversations at the workplace towards the things of Christ, I begin to rely more on His Spirit to lead and guide my words and actions. It also naturally compels me to study more about God and His character so that I am able to answer any questions people may have.

Have lunch with someone for mutual encouragement

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Heb 10:24-25)

Another familiar verse, which not only applies to our care group/corporate worship, but I think also applies on a one-to-one basis.  I have found that meeting with a fellow believer and having godly fellowship deeply encourages me, as I begin to see how God is working in another person’s life.  Due to demanding schedules this can be hard, but whenever I have been able to do it I have derived great joy from the sharing of lives and prayer, and from mutual reminders that we are in God’s family and that He has placed us where we are for His glory.

Pray

“The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.” (Proverbs 15:29)

Having been in my job for 20 years I have become quite good at it, so it is very easy for me to be self-sufficient.  “I’ve seen it all”.  “These issues are all very similar.  I can handle it.”  But God has to remind me time and again, that all He has provided is by His grace.  We have to guard against pride seeping in: Proverbs repeatedly reminds us that pride comes before a downfall (Proverbs 18:12).  Praying helps me to humble myself before Him and tune my heart to His, so that I am more sensitive to what He wants me to do in the daily situations I face at work. 

In all, I am reminded that I am still a work in progress, and I take great comfort from knowing that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it at the day of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:6). Let us continue to go about our Father’s business daily and rely humbly on His strength.