Sunday, July 31, 2005

in the meekness of wisdom.

today at ypg was a special students session. special workshops were available for us to attend. the sec 3 and 4s attended workshops on the revised A-level cirriculum and polytechnic experience. the JC students and us attended the one on university experience. then there were workshops on studying effectively, working with people on projects, and planning a study timetable.

i, together with most of the uni students, attended the university experience conducted by peiyong, louisa, michelle, siyu and tr. chung han. the JC people asked questions pertaining to uni life and hall life and courses and universities. tr. chung han shared his overseas uni experience and took a verse from proverbs.

"There are many plans in a man’s heart,
Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand."

or the NIV translation

"Many are the plans in a man's heart,
but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."

proverbs 19:21

how true is it, that it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. we may have so many plans for ourselves. i had many plans for myself. to be a doctor, forensic scientist, vet, musician, dancer (haha~), actor, writer, teacher. but in the end, it's His purpose for us, His plans for us that matter. sometimes i do get too caught up with getting the things i want and doing the things i want to do. but have learnt to be still and just listen to God.

next workshop was working with people on projects, conducted by tr. chen kee and assisted by tr. aileen. it was quite enlightening as i never really thought about it, but the intricacies (is that how u spell it?) of working in a team is complicated. especially when personalities and values clash and conflicts arise. i thought this really spoke to my heart, having encountered unpleasant experiences working with difficult people for projects, as well as my current problems with my new room-mate and new neighbours. sometimes it gets so irritating and frustrating when u meet free-loaders, lazy, irresponsible skivers who conveniently absent themselves from project meetings and refuse to do their part for the project and we end up doing their share but they get the same grade as us.

indignant? you bet.

so tr. chen kee came up with a triangle. at the top vertice is the project, which is the focus of all the team members. on the left bottom vertice is self. first, you must know yourself. know what you bring into the group. are u domineering or a submissive? type A or B personality? then the right bottom vertice is others. is there a clash of personalities? are there 2 domineering characters? these group dynamics are essential for a healthy working environment. and bringing christian values into the picture, in order to be a good testimony in such a sticky situation, where our inner devil comes into light as we start to feel irritated and frustrated...yes we are all human...

"Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

James 3:13-18

such frustration is earthly, sensual, and demonic. but wisdom from above is pure, peaceable, without partiality and hypocrisy. and whatever horrid things come your way, just reach out to the Lord, pray for a peaceful mind and do good work for the glory of the Lord. even if it means doing a part of the project that was supposed to be done by someone else. because, ultimately, the project must be done. the show must go on.

it really spoke to my heart. =)

then our last workshop was by tr. chung han. how to plan a study timetable! and i think his way is super effective if you really dilligently keep to it. i shall attempt to be disciplined and try his way this semester. with the Lord's help of course.

then pastor mitch gave a short message, sharing from daniel 1. how daniel was a brilliant student and how his faithfulness saw him through many times.

learnt a lot today. after the message we headed downstairs for a light dinner, featuring yummy food! as always. fellowshipped with other uni students over dinner. was nice. gave justina a ride home. had a really nice talk with her about friends. friends with different ethics, morals and values. extremely sticky subject. advised her to talk to her sunday sch tr. about it. don't worry jus! just commit it to the Lord and He'll see you through it all. =)

again, am so amazed at His everlasting grace.

This girl posted at 12:39 AM