Wee Zi Cong
I have learnt that it is only when we die, that our dreams can truly come alive. It has been a little over a year as a career consultant, a milestone that’s wrought with challenge, yet not without untold fulfilment. As meaningful as my work is, I find that what makes me come most alive is the privilege of sowing into the lives of many beautiful people. I am thankful to God for His assignment that affords me the opportunity to learn from those that have gone before me, that I may better serve the youth of my generation.
Not a few of my clients have asked me why I left what could have been a glittering career. Some are inspired, while others have encouraged me to go back. Truth be told, I have considered their advice many a time. But I know that God has called me here even as I may not see the full picture yet.
I have come to realise that when we hold on to our personal ambitions, comforts and wants, we will forever be holding back from giving our all to pursue our God-given dreams. We may well enjoy worldly success, but we will always be second guessing if what we’re doing is God’s perfect will for our lives. For it is only when we die to ourselves, and offer our bodies as living sacrifices, that we will be able to discern His good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2).
After a series of closed doors, I came to such a point: What if I am never making it to a place of stature? Could I truly be content to serve those in need for the rest of my life? I bargained that I could help many more succeed if I were a part of the upper echelons of society. The Lord was quick to remind me of how the apostles lived: “…as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” 2 Corinthians 6:10
I could not run away any longer. Would I willingly be ‘poor’ – if that were to be my lot – for the sake of making others rich in Christ? Yet that was exactly what Jesus did for us. He came from heaven to live among the poor and the needy. As a King, He came not to be served, but to serve others. Is it not a high honour to be called to follow in His footsteps?
“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.” 2 Corinthians 8:9
At the end of the day, it’s not about what we do, but who we become that matters. We may succeed in the eyes of the world but still be a mile away from true riches and Christ-likeness. Whatever it is that you’re called to, be it to serve in a third-world nation or to be a teacher, banker or entrepreneur, my prayer for each of you is that you will reach far greater heights than I can, and live your lives for the good of those around you!
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” John 12:24
Dear Archippus…
The author of Alignment Check, Ps Henson’s opens the chapter “Renew Your Mind. Discover His Will” with a bold statement: “If you are only living for yourself, you will never discover the will of God.” He goes on to explain that if your focus is only about you, the will of God will not feature in your life. Even if you do seek ‘the will of God’, you are most likely referring to matters that pertain to your own job, relationships and other personal decisions. It is still about you. Zi Cong’s own reflections on dying to self and living for God is a good testimony of how often we tend to align God to us when we should be aligning ourselves to Him. When we rightly align to His word, His ways and His will, we will recognise our place in His kingdom and receive our purpose through our kingdom assignments.
About Zi Cong
Zi Cong published his first book, “What Heaven Does Not Have” at the age of 26, and he lives to inspire others to pursue all that God has in store for them.