Putting what I learnt into practice ... 1st Step!

This shall go down as the first ever "blog" in my almost 39 years of life. Wow. Note the absence of the exclamation mark - that's how enthusiastic (or not) I am about blogging. If you are anything like me and think you have better things to do than to spend your time reading my thoughts - that's fine with me - I understand perfectly!!!

I will be honest. When our dear cell leader asked for posting on to the cell blog, I wasn't the most excited, to say the least. I have always had this prejudiced impression that blogging was more for those who really wanted to express themselves and, ultimately, had nothing else better to do with their time. I'm sorry, but that was how I felt.

So what am I doing, posting this? Am I a "blog" convert? No. But I believe there are good reasons behind my blogging, and you are welcome to challenge the "why" behind this "what" - and here they are.

We're a Team!
First and foremost, let me tell you that I have never been a loner. I love working in teams. Teamwork is something I enjoy, and find most rewarding. It was the feeling of being in a team, with a common purpose and shared values, that was the driving force behind my years in the corporate sector. I thrived on being a team player. And that, is what I miss most about my "past life".

I attended the recent IDMC and EdgeNet Conference in Church and it reminded me of all the importance, and fun of team work. I was reminded of my "past life" a great deal, and reminded of a lot of team work principles I used to not only practice, but preached throughout the corporation around the world. But more importantly, I learnt to see things from a new perspective - a more Godly perspective, I hope, and here's why I am blogging.

"Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? Isaiah 43 : 18, 19

At the Conference, when my thoughts went back to my past, I was reminded of this scripture verse that God had planted in my heart a little while ago. I was reminded that I had to move on. And that was what I decided to do.

I am no longer part of that corporate team. I will not think, or compare my life now to my life then. God, in all His graciousness, heard my desperate cries and rescued me. That, is another story, perhaps for another time. And now, I have to learn to look for my new role in life.

I don't belong to any teams anymore, I thought. I am no leader in Church, and that was a Church leadership conference. But hey - I am a part of this Cell - and that, makes me part of a team, no matter how small. And I shall have to play my part as a team member, if I choose to stay in this team, for this season.

And as a team member, I need to honour my team members, and submit to authority. Not blind submission, but to support if I do not disagree with the "why" behind the "what" of this blog. And looking at the cell blog site - so far, postings have only been from the leader. Shame on me, I thought, what am I doing to support her efforts? Can I put personal opinion aside and submit to leadership - if I am not convicted of any wrongs in it?

The most important thing, to me, having attended days of conference, was to start acting on what I learn. So here it is. Active obedience, Pastor Edmund taught. Hence my contribution to the blog.

Humility
My return journey to God has been, to say the least, exciting - both in the up and in the down. But I have never appreciated God's words and God's teaching so much before. So much for being a long time Christian - it is only now, that I can really appreciate and savour the depth of His love and His teachings.

It is humbling. I used to think that God has been gracious in blessing me with certain gifts and talents, and I can use them to serve God. That may still be true, but it was humbling to learn that, in God's team, it's all about supernatural selection, and divine anointing and appointment. There is a great difference between leadership selection in God's Kingdom and in the world. I know that until and unless God chooses me for certain roles in His Kingdom - I am proud to be that team player, in any capacity. I may have been thought by some to be a great leader in my "past life", but in this new life, I have to live by supernatural standards, and look at things in a whole new perspective. Today, in God's Kingdom, I will start in whatever capacity I am put in. That, in itself, is a great honour.

I have many thoughts and lessons learnt from the last few days of conference, but I will start with these simple thoughts. Better few simple thoughts and acted on, than a whole load of stories without action.

Here's to you, my team. And while I struggle with the thought - "Who in the world would want to read my rantings? " The Holy Spirit said this to me (and I'm convinced He had said it with a smile!) - "Do you not think that even if only ONE soul has been ministered to or blessed with some of your thoughts, it is worth your time?"

I think it is. And I hope that there will be at least one of you will find something meaningful in this - and made it worth my while.

God bless.

Jacq Ong