Cheryl Leong
I am thankful that my sister signed me up for this weekend at AWE2020. I have learnt a lot and really appreciate Ps Henson and Team Archippus for putting AWE2020 together.
Throughout the sessions, God has brought to light several misalignments in my life.
Before this, I had been clinging on to the mindset that spiritual alignment is God’s part and my part is simply to wait then obey if and when I felt called to. This led me to make excuses for not doing what I ought to because I wasn’t ‘feeling called to’. But God has convicted me in many ways.
I was reminded that while Jesus is our Saviour, full of grace, He is also King. And we who love the King must revere Him and obey His commandments fully, not at our own whims or choosing. Obedience is a personal, 24/7 charge with, not my will, but Jesus as the reference point. 1 John 5:3 says that to love God is to keep His commandments. But it also comes with a promise that His commandments are not burdensome because everyone born of God overcomes the world.
Of course, wholehearted obedience doesn’t happen overnight, because refinement is a multi-step process. James writes that the testing of faith produces perseverance, making us complete in Christ. Even if we fail the test, there is grace in that every turn at repentance brings about the opportunity for refinement when we take up our cross.
Let us not waste our failures! It is not about choosing the battles I am comfortable with but approaching every difficulty or failure with a kingdom perspective for the goal and promise of becoming more like Christ.
At this point, I would be lying to say that I do not shudder to think about what God will ask me to surrender to Him. However, I know that though discipline and hardship may be painful in the moment, God disciplines the ones He loves, so that we His children may be holy just as He is (Hebrews 12:4-13).
I thank God for these revelations, among many others in my life over the AWE2020 weekend – as I am sure He also has spoken to many other participants.
God speaks to us for a reason, that we may take action, whether it be to move forward or realign with Him. Let us not forget what we have heard but apply it to our lives. Praise God!