Family in God.

Having to move from one place to another really meant leaving one culture to another. It also meant leaving one friends to another, leaving on habits to another, leaving one home to another, leaving the past to the future, and so on. For those who knew my family would know & have come to realize that this was not something new for me. All the things we've gotten used to had to be left behind. From all those friends, homes, schools, and everyday lifestyle had to be changed and we step to new ones.

Just did a bit of reflecting in my life today, and i noticed all the changes that i had to make. One of them was my 'family'.

=)

To come and think of it, i've got 3 families by now.

hehe, no. I'm not talking about my real blood-related family, but rather more my Family in faith.

First family that i had was in BIC-Bangkok, then i moved LGM-Mayapada, then now to BIC-Melbourne.

It just started to reflect me how each of the families in those places really build me and mould me to becoming a better person. I didnt realize it then, but i do realize it now.

Honestly, I didnt really feel like i belonged to BIC-Bangkok. Especially in the years 2002. It just seemed that people (esp the youth) kinda judge me and all that. I really did all those ministry just for the sake of it. Every saturday, i felt a burded inside of me everytime i had to go to those youth meetings, and i just felt like i didnt connect with anyone at all. I really felt self-insecure at that time. I thought that people would mis-judge me n talk about me behind my back.
But yeah, i knew they cared for me. Its just that i didnt really believed it cause i really dont understand their actions.
They were all interesting experience though. I really missed them all, and i see how they all became children of God that're really thirsty n hungry for Him. I sincerely salute them for being so faithful in such a young age!

YCC-Mayapada. Hmm, the first time i went there, i didnt really think that it was my place as well. How could i not, i didnt know anyone there at the first meeting (since it was a new church) and most of them were old. Really.. they were. I was introduced to a couple of the choir members, but they knew each other since before and it seemed a bit hard to connect with them. So there you go. Another ministry that i didnt really do sincerely.
But then, it just happened. When my world really went upside-down, i tried to still be faithful to God cause I had nowhere else to run to or depend on. But at that exact time, God really trusted my with some responsibilities. It was just so overwhelming and too much to comprehend. But i do believe that it was God and He was taking me to a higher level. After that, i really felt that YCC was my family & home as well.

BIC-Melbourne. Hmm same as both of the above. I did not think that this was my home at first. haha. dunno why but maybe because i've been with this church (the churches that's under Ps Niko's supervision) for quite a while, that i've actually looked down on it. Out of nowhere though, this year, i've actually felt a love for this church and i know that God has put me here. I mean, i've tried to go to other churches last year, but it just didnt happen. I dunno,, the more i tried to runaway from this church, the more God pulls me and tells me to stay. Well, i've been really blessed with this church so far, and i guess its my turn now to bless this church. Dunno how and dunno when. All i know is that I will do whatever He tells me to.

I know there are millions of churches everywhere, no bad ones and no best. But if you just choose one church, and decide to make yourself be planted there, commit yourself, then i know that you will grow and be a blessing. It wont be easy, they'll be many sharp edges here and there, but hey, that's how you become stronger. If i did stop or give up while i was in Bangkok, i dunno where i would be now. I wouldnt have a clue what i would be holding on to. Yes I was dissapointed and felt betrayed, but that's the process. I learnt that your family loves you too much to spoil you and see you enjoy yourselves in sin. It hurts, but it was for the best. 2nd of all, if I didnt take the responsibility that was offered to me in Jakarta (well it wasnt a choice anyway, it was just handed straight to me), i guess i wouldnt learn on how to be a caring friend, a mature friend, a friend that has a responsibility to show others how you should live. I guess i wouldnt realise how much people actually watches you, examines you and really look up to the way you live your life. I was really blessed, and i hoped i was a blessing for them. 3rdly, If i was still looking for the best church right now, dunt think i'll ever find one. But yeah, i made a decision to be planted here, and i've grown. I know i have and i hope others could see that too. Maybe i havent grown much, but i know i have. Now its just time for me to find out what i can to do be a blessing for BIC Melbourne. I wouldnt want to waste any of my time & energy for nothing.