On Christ The Solid Rock I Stand
2024 has been a year of significant change for me - emotionally, spiritually and physically.
I'm in my early 20s with a background in music performance, music education and audio. Since high school, I've felt a potential call to full-time ministry, which was affirmed at camp a few years ago. This led me to start working in church in August last year.
We have weekly badminton sessions for staff on Tuesday evenings in church. On one of them, I tore the ACL(anterior cruciate ligament) in my left knee, shutting me off from work for two and a half months. Initially it was misdiagnosed as tendonitis and I was told to rest at home. Little did I know, my ACL was partially torn.
Over the next month, I dismissed several smaller injuries around the knee as minor, not resting when I needed to. One day, while rushing, I felt a pop in my knee, followed by intense pain that left me unable to walk and with a fully torn ACL. This meant I couldn't even stand up on my own.
Our ACL plays a significant role in ensuring our balance and stability while walking. Without it, we'd be unable to keep a firm footing on the ground, not counting the pretty immense pain that comes bundled together when it is injured. And the worst? There's no way it can heal by itself - it requires surgical reconstruction.
Like any surgery, there's the pre-surgery, surgery and recovery phases. Well, I stand and happily testify that God has worked and is working nothing but good things in and through me, even in the seemingly negative and painful situation.
Reflecting on my transition from being active to relying on crutches was humbling. Despite my fears about the upcoming four-hour procedure, I chose to worship and trust God. On the day of surgery, I rejoiced in His faithfulness, even as I was wheeled into the operating theatre. The surgery was successful and God's presence was evident through the unwavering support of my family, friends and church leaders.
Post-surgery, God revealed unexpected things and used this period to draw me closer to Him. Before this, I had a mindset of prioritising ministry, often at the expense of rest or spiritual renewal. What seemed to be only a period of convalescence became a season for spiritual growth as I delved deeper into the Word, watched sermons and explored faith-based podcast - things I had neglected in my busyness in ministry, to a point that it felt empty and weird whenever I wasn't scheduled to serve in a service. As the saying goes, "When ministry is your idol, rest feels like a sin."
... God works through all things, even our trials. Trust Him ...
If there is but one way I would like all of you to be encouraged through my testimony, it is that God works through all things, even our trials. Trust Him, even when it is hard to see His plan, because He is faithful.
Let's stand firm on His foundation, for all other ground is sinking sand.
