Sometime during this period of not using social media (including Blogger), my dad said something that really got me thinking.
I'd been feeling slightly uncomfortable with going up for altar call at church, because every time I did, one particular person would use the opportunity for personal gain, which I didn't appreciate. At the same time, I was going up for the altar call because I genuinely did feel the need to, because I did want to respond to God. So I didn't know what to do; go up, or don't go up?
That's when my dad said, "don't go up for the altar call."
WHAT?
I was completely stunned. I thought my dad was supposed to be helping me during my walk with God. Why would he say that, right?
Then he continued. He said, "God isn't standing at the altar. If you stay in your seat, He's not going to stand there and say to you, 'aiyah, my arms are too short. Sorry, can't reach you.'"
That hit me pretty hard. I realised then that it's not so much about going up to the altar with your legs, but with your heart. It's not about getting the pastor to know that your attitude towards God is enthusiastic, it's about showing God that you are.
It doesn't stop at altar calls though.
For the past few weeks, we've been really late for church. At best, ten minutes late. At worst, thirty. That's not because we like being late or don't like praise & worship. It's because Mikaela (my baby sister) always needs to feed in the morning, and no matter how early we wake up, she always ends up feeding at around 10.40, the time when we need to leave for church.
I always feel bad being late for church. I'm definitely not trying to advocate tardiness through this post. Punctuality is veryvery important.
But the thing is that God isn't waiting at the church door thinking 'where is she ah?' He's sitting there while my mom's feeding Mikaela saying 'what a beautiful baby.'
The point is that God is in the centre of everything and everyone. There's a lesson to be learnt everywhere and anywhere you are, no matter what time it is.
Often I find (and I'm guessing I'm not the only one?) that I miss out on important lessons just because I tell myself that I'm Christian and that my wisdom comes from Christ alone. True. But no point if you never exercise that wisdom, right? And come on, if we say God is everywhere, then what's stopping us from listening and learning?
Anyway. I'll just end off with this verse (:
1 Peter 5:6-7 Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
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