Fellowship - The Real Meaning

Recently, one of my devotional materials talked about "fellowship". What is the true meaning of fellowship?

"Real fellowship is so much more than just showing up at services. It is experiencing life together. It includes unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving, sacrificial giving, sympathetic comforting, and all the other “one another” commands found in the New Testament."

Experiencing life TOGETHER. This attracted my attention. Nowadays, we often define fellowship as "makan session", "chit-chat session", "game session", "jalan-jalan session", "yum cha session" with one another. However, do these amount to EXPERIENCING LIFE TOGETHER?

It has come to a point that the level of relationship that we have with one another is shallow. We just keep in touch with one another on a touch & go basis. We hardly trust others. Due to our busy schedule, we hardly have time for others. We hardly share our problems with others for fear that people may see us differently. We are cautious like a hawk and watch our problems so that the beans will not be spilled out. We are careful who to speak to, what to share about etc.

Of course, we do not share about ourselves to the whole world as different people click differently, but how many of us do take the initiative to build up the fellowship (in the true sense)? Why do we close ourselves to others? We, human, are all equal. The grass is always greener on the other side, but the truth is, all of us have our fair share our issues to be dealt with. If that is the case, what is wrong with practising the true value of real fellowship?

I wonder ~

Contemplative Retreat: Day 3 ~ The Finale

It is the last day of retreat and once again, the verses did not speak to me. I tried to focus on the Word and realised that the verses chosen really suit my situation.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

¹⁶ Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. ¹⁷ For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, ¹⁸ while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

At 11:30, we shared our experiences and it was awesome to hear their testimonies :)

By the time we could "talk", I realised that there were blankets in the cupboards and I would have enjoyed the cool weather at night, haha :p

Anyhow, I am looking forward to another silent retreat and long to enjoy His presence from time to time :)

As Dr Chew Tow Yow said: Enjoy God's presence and let God enjoy you ~  

Contemplative Retreat: Day 2 ~ A Walk with Jesus

I had a very early rest on the first night, because I was feeling tired and sleepy. I woke up, with the intention to take my usual morning shower but the weather was too cold. The night was very cold and I regretted not taking any socks with me, and I just had a thin "blanket" to cover myself up, so I did not have a deep sleep.

I took a walk around the vicinity before breakfast time and the Guide asked us to "listen" to the sound of nature. I am not accustomed to sound, so I just walked around "trying" to enjoy the sound of nature. I prefer to listen to the waves of the sea :)

After breakfast, we started to meditate on the word of God again. This time round, I spent less time reading and meditating; instead, I spent more time resting on the bed. I could not understand why I could not relate myself deeply to the verses, perhaps God wanted me to understand something else more related to my current situation.

There was one (1) session whereby we "took" Jesus out for a walk. So, I really imagined myself taking a walk with Jesus, and talking to Him. I must say, this session was the most enjoyable moment throughout the three (3) days I was in Peacehaven.

I was walking with Jesus, and we had a deep conversation:

Me: Lord, why did You do this to me?

Jesus: If I do not do it, will You let go and let me take charge?

Me: But I am just a normal human being, I am feeling tired.

Jesus: Let me ask you, why did you let your friend drive your car up to Genting?

Me: Hm, because I trusted his skill.

Jesus: If you could trust your car and your life in your friend's hands, why can't you put your trust in ME? Now, why did you dare to play the roller coaster?

Me: Hm, because I know the management will take security measures and ensure that it is safe to be played.

Jesus: Again, you trusted the management, but do you put the same trust on ME?

I was silent and tears started to roll down my cheeks. God was right, all these while I did not put my trust on Him, not 100%. I started to feel that God loves me a lot because He did not give up on me and yet He tried to make things right.

Me: Lord, why did You allow the thing to happen early this year?

Jesus: If I don't do it, you will not let go. If you don't let go, how are you going to fill your heart with the One that I have prepared for you?

I kept silent for a moment and was thankful to Him because He had released me from this matter, which had been in my heart for several years.

Me: Lord, how is it like to fall in love with You?

God did not answer me. I guess, I did not love God enough to treat Him as my lover.

God did not give me answer to my questions but one thing is definite, He gave me peace. He assured me that a job is waiting for me when I go back to Kuala Lumpur. He assured me that everything will be all right. He assured me that I will not be alone and He will be with me to overcome everything.

This is the best moment that I had during this retreat. God is love. Thank You Jesus for loving me, even when I am not lovable. Thank You Jesus, thank You.