Here's to all the Pauls in our lives.

Yesterday, I was reminded while walking to Hall 9 that it was the birthday of one of the pastors who had personally mentored me through my early uni years. As I thought of what to message her to bless her on her birthday, I was immediately reminded of the times where she went the extra mile to show God's love to me in a very real way. I remembered with great fondness how she would spend time having supper together with Evan and me at Fong Seng (near NUS). We would chat over prata and nasi lemak through to the wee hours of the night, talking about our struggles, our dreams, our disappointments, our victories. Sometimes, we called those sessions catching up, however, it was often us talking and her listening. Yet, she would patiently listen to us and gently offer her words of wisdom based on the word of God. Many times, our sharing would end with her challenging us towards something that we were uncomfortable to do, but deep in our hearts, we knew that it was what Jesus would have done. And that's how I grew, by obeying the voice of God in my heart through my pastor. (Read on...)

This led me to reflect upon the different mentors who at various stages of my life, had contributed in no small way to who I am today. I realised there was something common among them. They showed God's love to me in a very real way. These were normal people who became extraordinary to me because they were willing to inconvenience themselves so that my life might be built up.

There was Chris Kong who spent time after work coming over to my home or the nearby CC to study with me for my J1 promos. That was his way of encouraging me to be more disciplined in my study time. Then there was Pastor William (then my zone supervisor) who would open up this home for us to have retreats, who would teach me to play basketball so we could reach out to those at the CC better, who taught me what it meant to be "garang" for God by demonstrating an incredible "can do" spirit in everything he did, who introduced me to the concept of experiential learning by bringing us on super long walks by East Coast Park. There was also the pastor who came to my hall in NUS and brought me a small bottle of Biotherm water-based moisturiser after noticing that my face had been peeling after being under the hot sun. Of course then, there is Pastor Seng Lee, who spent an entire day with me climbing the Great Wall and having dinner afterwards, while I was in Beijing.

I thank God for all these people because what they did for me helped built a foundation upon which I disciple my own guys today. More importantly, they demonstrated to me the reality of God in an undeniable way. I am sure there were times that I caused them much frustration and disappointment, (I remember Ps William saying that in my Sec school days, I needed to be kicked before I would move) but they pressed on and continued to believe in the potential God had created me with. They did all they could to present me as perfect before Christ. I am sure there were times that they too struggled, trying to balance all the other commitments they had. Yet, they laboured on so that I might one day see Christ in me, the hope of all glory.

Pastor shared this passage with us the other day -

"24Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.25I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. 27To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
28We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ."29To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me. - Colossians 1:24-28.

The part that really touched me was when the verse said "to present EVERYONE perfect in Christ". It affirms that no matter how bad each of us think we are, God says that we have the potential to be presented perfect in Him. Isn't that wonderful? But you know what? For us to be presented as perfect, there must exist the Pauls around us who are willing to labour with all they have, not giving up but pressing on, empowered by the power of the Holy Spirit. And to all those of you who are the Pauls of the 21st century, I thank you for your labour. It is never in vain. I am testament of that.

And for the rest of us who have experienced the blessings of God through someone who made a difference in our lives, know that there are many others out there who have yet to experience the reality of God for themselves. They are waiting for that someone who would obey the call of God to go disciple His people and love them. That someone could be you if you would decide today to obey the call of God in your life. I pray you will.


Joshua Teo