31/12/17- Thanksgiving

Things I've been thinking about:

1. Melaka Trip 15-19 Dec

Reflecting on the year, I am immensely thankful for the Melaka Trip which was an antidote to my flagging and weary spirit. Through it, God taught me many lessons, which I shall attempt to name in point form. 

• extreme reluctance to go overseas due to some paranoia that I would be busy... but God let me realize that it would mean a lot to my family and I decided to go.

• added inertia when my parents told me we would be going with another family (not extremely comfortable with the dad tbh)

• ended up really getting to know the whole family better- both the parents and their kids. All 4 of whom taught me many lessons from their perspectives in life, and simply by their individual characteristics and dynamics as a family.

• this resulted in a deep thankfulness in deciding to go for the trip

• also a long #life talk with the son through which I was actually very encouraged- this also made me realise that my 2 main concerns for the church were "connections" and "everyone struggles", which are the 2 points i shared in Thanksgiving.

2. Youth Thanksgiving (Connections & 'Everyone Struggles') 31 Dec

I was originally apprehensive that everyone would say something like "pass" or "thank God for the year", but the older youths (>sec2) really blew me away with their deep, real, vulnerable sharing. God also showed me very clearly that He is working, and I just have to see where He is working, and join Him in it. This event also sealed my decision to join youth comm in 2018. Excited to see where and how God will lead!!

Very humbled that Marc also felt the same way about our talk, and shared it in his Thanksgiving. It's heartwarming to know that others feel the same way.

3. Insignificance vs significance

Significance consists of a comparison. Liken it to a bunch of people all lined up in 1 row. When someone is significant, it means that this 'someone' is standing somewhat apart from the others. In other words, others are less significant than this person. If everyone is significant... no one is.

When I am significant to someone, I feel good. I feel affirmed. I want to always feel that way. I don't like feeling insignificant. 

But whenever I am significant, others are insignificant. And no, we can't all be significant at the same time. Or else all of us would just be insignificant.

I don't know if this is important but it's something that was mulling in my mind for awhile.