LEADING THE GROUP - My Eldest Sister

A lot of the traits of a leader I had learnt from my family. I was the third child in my family. The crossroads were never quite clear here. From the time our my childhood, my eldest sister had also been the leader. She always seemed to have it all under controlled. She was the rational and thorough type. May be its just part and parcel of being the eldest.

One of my earlier memory of her was a time we were leaving at a flat. It was usually during our bedtime. My sisters and I would sleep on the floor since there would be no room for us on the bed with my mom and dad. My eldest sister would then be sandwiched between my second sister and I. Both of us would cling onto her arm on ether side as she became to us our security for the night. Somehow, some time in the early morning; she would find herself abandon by her siblings just to find them cuddling with our parents. Hahaha... this happened quite often actually.

Her leadership was something I looked up too. Even now. She is someone I would run to for advices (not that I apply them) and depend on. Often people would wish for an older brother, but for me... I love it just the way it is.

She had set a certain standard for myself and my siblings, and I believe even fro those around her. Her leadership stands out and her lifestyle tells it all. She never commits to something she is unable to fulfill. She would as much as she could, be punctual and would do her best to keep to her words. Her promise is her word to keep.

Leadership is not about achievements, rather its about how we achieve them. Who are we achieving those goals with? Why are we doing the things we do? It is about the people we work with. It is about how we can influence those around us so that WE can become a better person individually and as a team. My sister seems to have that kind of leadership. Maintain the perspective and keeping on course.

Of course, this is one of the lessons I've learnt more about leadership from home. I've got my mom, dad and other siblings that have thought me more about life than most people I've met. Leadership starts at home.

DEVOTION

Behold the Lord

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:2

Inside, you’re perfect –born again in the image of Jesus Himself. But outwardly do you find yourself falling frustratingly short of that perfection? Is there a solution? Yes! The secret lies in “the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2 tells us that, if you’ll renew your mind, you can actually be “transformed”. That word “transformed” is translated from the Greek word from which we get the term “metamorphosis.” It’s used in Scripture in two other places.

One of those places is when Jesus was transfigured on the Mount as He spoke with Moses and Elijah. The other is found in 2 Corinthians 3:18. It says, “ But we all, with the open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Changed, transformed, transfigured! Those are powerful, exciting words, and describe what will happen to you as you spend time beholding the Lord in the Word and in prayer. As you spend time renewing your mind, your outer being will be transformed in much the same way as a caterpillar is changed into a butterfly. Instead of conforming to the image of the world, you’ll begin to conform to the image if the reborn spirit within you which is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Take time to get away from the world and study God’s Word. Meditate on it and let it change you from the inside out. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind and release the beautiful spiritual butterfly living in you!

Scripture Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:6-18

Adapted from Faith to Faith A Daily Guide to Victory
by Kenneth and Gloria Copeland

RECOGNITION & SELF WORTH

He said, "This is my son, Stephen, my hero!"

The struggle with self worth has been something I've struggled with for all these years. It is probably one of my weaknesses in life. The urge to find my worth through what I do and pleasing others in the process seemed to help me find a certain value in myself. It is an endless jouney to finding my worth.

I know of many people who feel the same as I do. My lack of worth is probably the lack of fathering. In recent years, as I worked, I found myself trying to please my bosses and hoping for their approval. The desire to please them became too overwhelming that I thought something mst be wrong. As a Christian, I knew that I am not to please people as to making them gods, rather to please God and to live for him only. I was wanting some kind of attention and recgnition.

Nearly a year ago, I went for a visit to my dad's house for Chinese new year. We were sitting in the living room. My dad had a few visitors and as his son, I greeted his guest and welcomed them into the house. He then introduced me to them and it was what he said that surprised me. In fact, it changed my life! He said, "This is my son Stephen, my hero." I could not believe my ears. It was someting I had not expected.

I praise the Lord for those kind words. I know that I am not quite the 'hero' but to hear it coming from my dad... it was approval and recognition long awaited.

Now imagine this with me. At the river Jordan, John the Baptist was preaching about the coming kingdom and the Christ. His words pierced the hearts of many to surrender and repentance. Then... in the midst of them was Jesus son of Joseph the carpenter. "Behold! The Son of Man... this is the Christ I am telling you about whose sandle straps I am not worthy to untie." And as Jesus approached him, He told John to baptist Him. As he came out of the water the heavens thundered and the clouds parted.

A voice thundered from the heavens, "This is my beloved Son whom I am well please!" And from the clouds the Spirit of God like a dove came upon Jesus the Beloved Son of God.
If you would take a moment to imagine the assurance Jesus had, one that He needed to hear for the task He was about the embark was bigger than one man could handle. God the Father's assurance was timely and comforting.

God is also calling us sons and daughters. We have been called children of the most high God. He is calling to you..."my child, I love you!"

SISTERS!

I have two elder sisters whom I truly love. They are my role models and I've learnt so much from them. When I entered into the morning classes (primary four), my sisters told that I have to start being cool. So, they trained me how to "walk", "talk" and swing my bag pack across one of my shoulders.

There's something about having elder sisters. I would never have it any other way.I can't imagine having an older brother (I do have an elder brother from my dad's first marriage). My sisters were my advisors and adversaries. They would gang up on me from time to time, playing pranks on me. Once, they would hold the door shut and turn off the light in the shower and sing an errie tune to scare me. They knew I was afraid of the dark. Thank God I overcame the fear.

One lesson I've learnt from them is, don't mess with WOMEN!

I got my eldest sister mad one evening. She had asked me to do the dishes or something like it but I refused. We started a shouting battle in the living room. I thought I had won the battle as she turned around. Under my breath, not knowing she could hear it (I wasn't too good with whispering) I said, "You PIG!" with a smirk running through my face. She stopped! "Oh no!", I thought. "I'm dead!"

Suddenly she turned toward me, held a fist and drove those knuckles into my gut! She winged me. I didn't wanna show the pain, so I called her "PIG!" over and over again. That did not solve the problem obviously. She chased me out of the house and locked me out. She knew I had to come in soon. Well, the story ended with me getting beat up.

The lesson learnt is: DON'T MESS WITH YOUR SISTER!

LIVNG MY ADOLESENCE

Oh those years have brought such fond memories. As a child I used to ride bikes, climb trees, play the swings and more. Those years were blissful. Though I had grown through some tough times, I would distinctly remember the good innocent years of my childhood and eventually my adolescent years.

"Mummy", I croaked as my sisters would laugh at my then squeeky voice. It was hard to avoid. PUBERTY... how it came unexpectedly. Big feet and hands... everything seemed so out of proportion. "Mummy, I can't wear that kiddy shirt. I'll like jeans... the ones torn at its knees. Get me the big baggy ones. Everything must be 5 times my size." Those who have grown through the 80's and 90's would understand why the "up sized" clothings. We were into rap music, black hip hop. My mum could never understood why, but she would accommodate me anyway.

There were really some great memories in my adolescent year. I suppose my new found interest in sports were one great memory. I began to enjoy the extra strength. I was still a very skinny kid then. Other things were "girls". I had never observed these magnificent creature God had created. However, that would be another story. I've learnt to respect the ladies now for God has made them beautifully in His image.

I guess, I would ponder further and begin to blog a few episodes of my adolescent years... and my transition into my now 20 something.

I had been blessed nonetheless by the experiences I have gone through. All are significant to me and shaped me. God had been watching me through those years, good and bad, and protected me. No matter how far I had gone, He would still wrap His arms around me n assurance and say, "Welcome home, my beloved son. I'm glad you are safe."

Ecclesiastes 12:1

" Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come...."

Are you ashamed?

There are many times I have felt inadequate and wanting to just crawl into a little hole somewhere. Being ashamed of my own identity. When growing up I had a very poor self image. But more then my self image was what I have grown to be passionately in love... Jesus!

When as a youth, there were many times people asked me if I were a Christian. I would not deny my religion, however, my faith and trust in Him was not real. I was ashamed of Jesus. Why?

Luke 9:26

"If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the golry of the Father and of His angels."

We will all be faced with the hard question of what and who we believe in. There would be question of our actions. There are the crossroads where people criticise you about your faith, Jesus is asking us this, "Are you ashamed of me?"

I have been at this crossroad and many times felt ashamed of Jesus. Now, I don't want to be silent. How could I when all He has done has changed me and made me new. My life is an adventure of trust and faith in Jesus Christ. I am puzzled at how many of us Christians would remain silent. I notice that lately in almost all my coversations I have choosen to share my journey in Jesus. Though I'm not perfect, it gives me no reason to stop praising Him.

Romans 1:16

"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."

I pray that when you face the delima of choosing to praise Him or be ashamed... that you'll choose Jesus before your own reputation.

Love.Joy.Peace.