So blessed!

Oceania Convention (OC) 2011 has come to an end and I’m back in Brissie back to my old routine ^^. And I say that with no displeasure whatsoever.

I can’t help but feel so blessed by God.

Our Hope Oceania Family of churches gathered during the Easter break at Phillip Island, Melbourne. It was for our annual church convention where we got the chance to learn more about preparing for the coming harvest (the theme of this year’s convention), fellowship with old and new friends, refresh and renew ourselves with 4 days just dedicated to Jesus, and to just enjoy and immerse ourselves in the presence of God.

Indeed this year’s OC, like my friend has mentioned on Facebook, was just completely out of my expectation! In a good way, of course.

I came to OC with 5 expectations in mind: (1) God to speak to and touch me about something personal, (2) refreshing and renewal, (3) great fellowship, (4) gain something strong and deep that I would really carry away with me from OC, (5) something out of my expectations. And wow! God not only met all my expectations but exceeded them immensely! God is so gracious. I don’t actually deserve it but I praise Him for it.

3 things that stood out to me the most: Surrender, Consecration, Pursuit of Holiness.

Surrender. God wants me to be wholehearted to Him. God wants me to empty myself out to make room for just only Him. God wants me to surrender my whole life, every single part of it. He wants me to surrender 100% to Him. My life has been bought with a price and my life is no longer my own. It’s His.

One thing that encourage so much, is one thing that someone shared during the OC. He said, ‘One tip: if u surrender a 100% to God, u won’t struggle so much when God ask u to give up or surrender something to Him. [Ur response would be] God I’ve already give that to You, take it.’

Complete surrender is something I’ve decided to do – and may it by the grace of God that I do it daily.

Consecration. God wants u. Will u rise up to the call. Being set apart for God and His purposes. I came to OC not having any expectations in regards to my personal vision in God. I felt a bit guilty after this year’s OC, as I looked through my past OC notes and found that I always had in mid God’s calling for me in the future.

What God spoke this time is, that He has a purpose for me at this time. He has called me here at this time. For what reason? To help build the church to fit the head. The church is still growing in order to magnify God for who He really is but we are not yet the ‘glorious’ church that He so desires. I choose to believe in the power of Disciple-making. Not ‘coz there’s a need for spiritual mentors in our church. Not ‘coz mentoring gives me significance. Not ‘coz mentoring grows me. But simply ‘coz this is what God is calling me to do now – and I want to obey that call. I know this plays a part in where and what He is calling me to the future.

May it by God’s grace that I remain faithful and Spirit-filled and empowered to fulfill this call.

Pursuit of Holiness. I am hosting the Holy Spirit in me. I should not give my body for unrighteousness. I should long for Jesus, to know Him and be more like Him. It’s so clear, God wants me to be holy as He is holy – this is what I should pursue for the rest of my life.

My pursuit of holiness is not a pursuit that will lead to boredom or strict legalism. It’s a pursuit that will lead to excitement, thrill, enjoyment – it will lead to life where I can really say ‘I am really living the life’.

I’m definitely not there yet. But what gives me joy is I am already living out God’s calling for my life. Where I am headed to and when I get there – is up to God. What I should do is look to now so that I don’t miss out on any opportunities to grow closer to God and be more like Him. To find the deepest and greatest satisfaction for my life in Him.

May it be by God’s grace that I’ll always hunger for His Word to understand it and live by it; that I’ll always pray His heart out with faith, authority and power; that I’ll always live my love out for Him in every single thing I do, in every single moment, everywhere I go; that I’ll always have a passion to reach out to those who are lost; that I’ll always actively do something for fellowship to grow; and most of all, to always just LONG for more of Him.

After writing all this – they’re all actually connected to one another. Surrender leads to setting yourself apart for His plans an purposes; and consecration leads to being more like God – it leads to pursuing holiness.

God thank You for blessing me. I guess now is the actual test of faith. Help me respond in the way that will most glorify You ^^. I love You Lord. May that love never die out, never.