So long, farewell, I have to say goodbye...

Yes, it has been quite an eventful journey and it's time to take a break. Tomorrow's Good Friday Service will be my last service with Gen8sis. I remembered many years back when I was with the Choir, I did my first solo during the Good Friday Service and tomorrow will be my last day in the worship team.

Thank GOD for the opportunity to serve Him in the worship ministry since October 2004. Exactly 7 1/2 years. I hope He is pleased with my service these few years and now it's the season of life that I take a break but I will by His grace, continue to worship Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength because He has created me to worship and enjoy Him.

Have been crying for the past few days, waiting upon Him for His blessing to say goodbye and also thinking and talking through with the worship pastor and my husband. It is sad but at the same time thinking about leaving the ministry, I felt there's peace. At the back of my mind, there's a message that says "yes, you may think your calling and passion is in worship but when serving has no more joy due to the issues you are facing and now it may become something you are clinging to which is not healthy when you should be clinging on to GOD. Let go and let GOD heal and restore you first. Rest in Him. He is still on the throne."

There are many other areas in GOD's kingdom that I can serve Him in and am asking the LORD to show me after my rest because there are wounds and pains that need healing and I need recharging before another new journey. Now I understand what it is to be hurt serving GOD but whenever I get hurt I also remind myself of what Christ has gone through for me and tell myself it is ok Irene, it is ok. My heart is still painful but I believe GOD will touch and heal me and restore me in time for my next journey with Him. In the meantime, rest and continue to study His Word and abide in Him.

"And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." I Sam 15:22

An ex Galilean's Funeral

We attended an ex Galilean's funeral wake last week. Peter and myself knew her since we were youths in Galilee. Pete taught her daughters Michelle and Millie in Sunday school. Their mom, Judy, was diagnosed as a stage 4 cancer patient, died last week, having fought a good fight and bearing a good testimony for the LORD. It was also heart-warming to hear what the husband had to says about his wife and how thankful he was of what she has done for him and for the family, being a blessing to them.

At the service Rev Philip Heng shared from Psalm 23 which talks about GOD's sufficiency. He particularly wanted to comfort and encourage the bereaved family from this psalm due to their reluctance to let Judy go. I would normally have to pen down what I hear from the messages preached and many a times still could not remember all that was exhorted but surprisingly this time round, I am able even to blog it so that whoever reads this will be reminded and be encouraged.


There were four Ss that Rev Heng emphasized on:


1) Sufficiency - GOD's sufficiency. In the psalm, David being a shepherd himself, experienced GOD's sufficiency that's why he could say "I shall not want or lack." He also experienced GOD's leading, comfort, restoration as he "plugs" into His Shepherd and let GOD lead him into paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Even through the ups and downs of life, he was assured of GOD's presence, promises and comfort.


2) Submission - We "plug" into GOD and submit our lives and will to Him because He is Sovereign and in control and He knows the best for us. Just like in Julie's case, it is better for her to be called home to be with the LORD then to continue to suffer in her illness. Even though how reluctant the family was to let go and how unprepared they were, Rev Heng encouraged them to submit to GOD's higher purpose. Many a times we struggle with such issues in life and we have no peace until we let GOD's will be done. He is our Creator, our Father GOD who loves us more than anything or anyone else in this world. If we cannot trust Him, who can we trust?


3) Selflessness and Sacrifice - He commended the bereaved family on their selflessness and sacrifices they made for their mom, and their love in action towards one another. He helped them see that at the funeral that day, there were many who took leave and turned up to encourage them. So he said, do not stop being selfless towards your own family, extend it to the brothers and sisters in the LORD.


I was glad Pete and myself were there to play our small part as brother and sister in Christ. Thank GOD, with Him, the family will be able to pull through this period of grieving easier as they will be able to see their mom again.

There's a land that is fairer than day,

And by faith we can see it afar;

For the Father waits over the way

To prepare us a dwelling place there.

Chorus:

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore;

In the sweet by and by,

We shall meet on that beautiful shore.

V2

We shall sing on that beautiful shore

The melodious songs of the blessed;

And our spirits shall sorrow no more,

Not a sigh for the blessing of rest.

V3

To our bountiful Father above,

We will offer our tribute of praise

For the glorious gift of His love

And the blessings that hallow our days.