Many thoughts to distill over the events that have happened over the last two days, but it is imperative I put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) that I may sort them out clearly.

My time in Accenture is over, and truly, it was a journey filled with so many ups and downs, so many learning points, so much personal and professional growth, and at the end of it all, my conclusion is that God's mighty hand is at work. It is my testimony that despite the crazy hectic schedule of work, I was always able to attend church and do God's work. Truly, placing God as first priority, and watching Him orchestrate events in my life was a sweet wonder. I OTed almost daily, and yet, when Wednesday came, I was always able to attend Prayer Meeting. There was only once where I could not attend. How is it possible, that I can OT four days a week, and yet it was always a Wednesday where I am free to go off early for Prayer Meeting? Nothing but God's grace! As assistant camp master for my Church Camp, when planning and execution went into the intense phase, somehow I was more free from work commitments to be able to plan and execute. When I needed to catch-up on proofreading, editing, and then uploading J.C. Ryle's daily devotions to the church website, I was somehow able and willing to do those. Yes, these 7 months have been really busy, but God made a way, and sustained me through it all.

In this light, His grace has allowed me to undergo all the stress that comes from working in a crazy fast-paced environment, I was for the most part, not in my zone; the people were unfriendly (but mostly because they're swamped by work too), I was dealing with a field and expertise which I completely did not learn in university, I was dealing with adjusting to working life. There were many times I wondered, maybe I'm too pampered too much of a strawberry to not be able to handle labour. But during the past few days, when people came up to me, the general tenor was one of congratulation. Most had negative impressions on the project I worked in, and there were zero positive comments on the project. Everyone wanted also to leave, or to take a long break. It wasn't just me. Thus it is, I look back and say, I have survived, even for a relatively short 7 months, and it's all because of God's grace, that I am able to find another job, and that I have survived.

And now as I leave, the bittersweet emotions are there. I won't miss the work (at least 90% of it), but I'll miss some of the people. To those like Shermin who are struggling now, I can't help but feel bad and guilty that I won't be there as an office buddy any more. But I know God's presence and grace, and my prayers for them, are worth infinitely more than my physical presence in the project. I thank God, for without Him, I would not have obtained a good report in these seven months. My work performance, I scored 5 "exceeding expectations" and 2 "met expectations", it was such a pleasant surprise, but I know once again, that it comes from Him. And yesterday, as I went around the office to say goodbye to my colleagues, I am pleasantly surprised that so many spoke positively about me. "When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7) They knew me as the friendly person who always smiled when the office was gloomy. I had so many long conversations with my colleagues, I knew I had made an impact on them. And I know these all come from God.

And so there it is, seven months of growth and lessons in all aspects of life. Tough, but grateful and thankful at the end. Moving on to the second matter.

God's trials do not ever end in our earthly journey do they? When a sister in Christ is afflicted with sickness, it pains my heart, especially at a young age. I can't help but worry for her health. Today has made me realise, even to a smaller extent, how painful it is to hear of a friend who is sick. Doubtlessly God's sovereign hand has made it so for our benefit. When God instructed Abraham to offer Issac to Him as a sacrifice, how much it must have pained Him. The extent of the agony must be terrible, and even greater his sense of bewilderment. Today I am offered a glimpse of that pain, and worry has already seeped into me. I have to learn faith, to believe in the never-failing promises of God.

Faith is not, listen, it is not believing God in spite of evidence, faith is not believing anything in spite of evidence. That is not faith. That is superstition. Always when you believe, you are believing a word from God. Do you understand? That is your evidence. That is your warrant. That is your authority. Faith is not believing in spite of evidence, faith is obeying in spite of consequence. Do you like that definition of faith? That's what faith is. Faith is obeying in spite of consequence, or appearance, or anything else. Get up to mount Moriah. Offer up Isaac. I have told you to do it. Faith is measured by the depth of it's devotion, the height of it's obedience.
- Adrian Rogers

And so as my thoughts get more and more convoluted, I shall end here. Faith is intelligent obedience in spite of consequence. Trials and testings might beset me, but I shall learn to obey, in spite of the consequence. Amen.

"And Abraham said, My son, God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together." (Genesis 22:8)

God is Jehovah-jireh, trust in His promises, for He never fails. || posted by Kuan Hui