Week 49 - Turning Point
“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2-3)
As I was typing this article, I am surrounded by boxes of books and household items nicely stacked in a corner of my room ready to be shipped home in a few days’ time. Yes, I have completed my theological studies with God’s enabling! At the Bible College dedication service for graduating students held last week, I was “arrowed” by the Vice-Principal, Rev. Dr. Stuart Lange, to give a reflection on my time at the college. I began by saying, “My coming to the Bible College has been a turning point in my life.”
Christians are used to turning points in their lives. Like the Apostle Paul, we begin our Christian journey with a common turning point — an encounter with the Lord. It may not be as dramatic as Paul’s experience but nevertheless it is similar in the fact that we have met the same Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ. And as we move along in our Christian journey, we come across various events that serve as turning points to redirect our attention and commitment to God.
Every turning point is an opportunity for God to mould and shape us.
Like a potter who has to apply different amounts of pressure onto different sections of the vessel in order to create the desired contour, God leads us into different experiences of life to build us up so that we may “conform to the image of Christ.”
Some people find it helpful to consider the crossing over to a new year as another turning point in their lives. Last New Year’s Eve, I conducted a Watch Night service in my home for our home-group. We went through a series of exercises and questions to reflect on the year about to end and to consider how we could make the coming year more honourable to God. The dawn of another new year can be a turning point for you too! You may wish to reflect prayerfully on the following aspects of your relationship with God and His people.
- My walk with the Lord: Do I search the Scriptures and seek His will for my life? Is there an Adult Christian Education course that I should attend? How can I study the Bible/Christian faith in a systematic manner?
- My involvement in the Master’s work: Have I been faithful in the work that He has entrusted to me? If you are not involved in any ministry yet, ask the Lord to show you an area where you can exercise the gifts that He has given you.
- My relationship with the family of God: Am I fulfilling my role as a caring member of the care group that I belong to? Do I consider the members of my ministry group/care group as brothers and sisters in the Lord’s family? If so, what are the implications?
This year is coming to an end and a new year will soon be upon us. I encourage you to re-dedicate your life to God. Make it a turning point in your life. To walk with the Lord is to be involved in the Master’s work and to relate lovingly to members of God’s family — that is true discipleship!