2014 was the most challenging year for me in terms of juggling my time for God, Family, Health, Friends and Work. However, it was also a bountiful year for me in receiving many blessings from God.
Between Jan and May 2014, I was clocking more than 7Making Disciples Jesus’ Way.0 hours of work weekly. Every time I prayed to God to lessen the workload, more work was assigned to me. As a result, I had little time for my family, skipped a few Church services and even my health was affected.
Amidst such difficult moments, God comforted me through the reading of Psalm 23. God activated my family and a few prayer warriors from BC to pray for my work and well-being.
Church camp was around the corner. I had signed up for the camp in advance for my family and myself. However, my work had not peaked off yet as my ex-boss was still assigning more work to me. I was afraid that my leave application to attend the camp would not be approved. I shared my difficulties with a few of the Church camp committee and had asked them to keep me in their prayers.
In early May 2014, God spoke to me through Luke 16:13 during a sermon: “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” God wanted me to choose between Work and God. Indeed, Work had become my other master instead of God. The advice from God was clear and surprisingly, both my wife and I accepted it rather peacefully and the decision was made.
Our prayers to attend Church camp were answered. God nicely timed my last day in my ex-company to be a day before the camp. Thank God for allowing my family and I to attend the camp as we were really blessed spiritually through the sermons and workshops.
God continued to shower His blessings upon for us even after the Church camp. He took care of my family financially in the 3 months when I was looking for employment. Yes, there were disappointments when my job applications were turned down one after another. But, I remembered I was able to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances…” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I was also blessed by a BC sister-in-Christ who would WhatsApps me almost daily to cheer me up and prayed for me. There were also other BC members who were praying for me too.
By the 49th job application, finally I was called up for an interview. I was told the prospecting company would usually conduct 2 rounds of interviews before they shortlist and confirm the candidate. It was an extraordinary interview, just casual chit-chat with no talk on my work experience. At the end of 45 minutes, the Group Chief Information Officer told HR that he had decided to hire me.
An observation. When God gives His blessings, He gives them abundantly (Ephesians 3:19). By the way, His blessings did not end at the interview.
The hymn, “Count Your Blessings”, aptly summarized my past year’s experiences with our Lord:
1. When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
2. And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.
Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
3. And you will be singing as the days go by.
So, amid the conflicts, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
4. Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.
Brother Cheng Kim Yew
