OHANA

I believe that it was by no coincidence that i talked to a brother about my current struggles with God after last friday's PKV meeting, when the 'OHANA' concept was introduced and discussed. In fact, it is a humbling experience for me (and i thanked God for that) that as i recently talked to a few ppl about my feelings and doubts in this where-r-u-God phase of my life, i got many silent nods in agreement instead of the strong-to-weak counseling. To my amazement they frankly admit that they are also having struggles and questions for God, juggling between feelings and rationals in the matter of faith, and making sense of their personal lives in God.

*as i'm writing this down, i'm listening to Petra's 'Beyond Belief'. Funny.

There's a higher place to go, beyond belief, beyond belief
Where we reach the next plateau, beyond belief, beyond belief
And from faith to faith we grow Towards the center of the flow
Where He beckons us to go, beyond belief, beyond belief

One thing that Sui Jade shared in PKV meeting that striked me was that fellowship doesn't equal to friend. It's more than that! We choose our friend, but do we choose our family? No! For many of us we'd hoped that we could convince ourselves that we don't have to be committed to the fellowship of the family of God. But i don't have to like you or be like you to be in the same family as u. I don't even have to agree with u. Yet many times we naturally cliqued with those we're comfortable with and avoid those we're not. It is indeed a challenge to treat every relationships in the house of God like a spiritual gift.

It was humbling for me because i always thought that i am alone in this spiritual battle. Yet what was more humbling was that God had sent ppl that i wasn't close with and i had least expected to minister to me.

The most wonderful thing is that OHANA doesn't end here. In fact it is the precursor to 'The Great Commission'. It is the prerequisite for reaching out and shine for Him. For God establish His Kingdom in His family. And it is up to us to respond to the challenge and live up to the call.

'Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.' Hebrews 10: 23-25