Kailin Huang
It was the year 2017. I was recovering from a surgery and I was asking many questions. I was seeking both work and life directions.
With time in my hands, I surfed podcasts and came across the Archippus Awakening message. God used the message to awaken me. I linked up with the founder Henson Lim and I bought the two books he authored: Say to Archippus and Alignment Check.
As I read the books, I found the answers which pointed me to Christ.
Focus on the Aligning. Let God Do the Assigning.
What is God’s will for me?
It is tempting, while seeking God’s will in my life, to jump ahead to do things for God. It is equally tempting to swing to the other extreme of letting God do things (while we do nothing). Both extremes can easily happen without first checking if we are aligned with God in our relationship with Him; loving Him because He first loved us. I learnt that it is critical to “focus on the aligning, and let God do the assigning” so that our doing is a God-directed one. While I seek God’s will for me, He steers me to first align with Christ.
Work from a Posture of Rest
Am I resting resting or am I being lazy?
I was in a limbo between expecting manna to fall from the sky and feeling frustrated that I was “resting” so much. During the extended period of rest from work, I went from celebrating the fallow to bemoaning if I had become lazy. But even Jesus said, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) In the chapter “Work from a Posture of Rest” in Alignment Check, I recognised that rest is worship, rest is faith, rest is necessary, rest is discipline. Resting is trusting and obeying God’s word. Henson writes, “Rest is a God-given privilege and provision through which we experience His faithfulness and goodness in ways that surprise us. Our tendency to perform runs counter to God’s invitation to rest. May we heed the words of the Lord, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15)”
Full restedness is only found in Christ. It is still about Christ.
Assignments not Activities
Since my life is preserved, shouldn’t I do more for God?
Like Martha who was distracted by the preparations when Jesus came to visit, we can be doing much without the one thing that is needed; sitting at the feet of Jesus to listen to what He says (Luke 10:38-42). Pruning can be painful, but needful to be fruitful. When I was hospitalised, only one thing mattered and my priorities were immediately clear.
Today, I am growing in this aspect of saying yes to kingdom assignments and no to Christian activities. I learn to say no when taking a hobby class distracts me from my business. I learn to say no to a community service project without feeling guilty. By saying yes to what God has called me to do, I am saying no to other things that may be good things. And when I turn down these activities or invitations to be involved in them, I must be mindful not to think that I have missed God’s will (or judged by people thus) when these activities were never the one thing God says to do.
I thank God for the wake-up call from Archippus Awakening, and the freedom to hop off the “activities train” that I may run on my kingdom assignments.
Redeem the Time
Have I missed God’s timing for my life, my family, my ministry, my business?
Even when it seems like we have missed it in chronological time, time can be redeemed, if we walk circumspectly and as wise, understanding what the will of the Lord is (Ephesians 5:15-17). And there is no way to understand His will unless our minds are renewed, and we are fully aligned to His word and purposes.
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2
Conclusion
I am grateful for this opportunity to remember the things of old and give thanks to God for the lessons learned. They are continued blessings as I enter a new season of productive work-as-worship!
About Kailin
Kailin boasts in her two neck scars, which are marks of God’s goodness and mercy in preserving her life. Her spiritual birthday (3 August) is the same as Archippus Awakening’s. Since her exodus (another story!), she’s been drawing together people and their plans at Picture People Plan.