2008

There's something about this year. For the chinese , 8 is a good number. But I understand the Indians hate 8. But, this year has proven that the Yinyang theory has been true. A balance of white and black , the good and the bad. ( Am not being racist here ) :p By the way, I was just kidding about the Yinyang theory.

However, this year has been very eventful and dramatic for the whole world in the economic and political scene. I don't need to mention them la , you should know. Unless of course if you're Amish. Personally, this year has been A YEAR OF THE LORD. For those who do not know, 2008 has been a break year for me. A year of rest and learning. A year I never expected myself to be in.

There's just so much God has taught and shown me throughout this whole year. Things so deep in my heart that only an oil rig drill can reach. But God has chosen this year , to dig out all the dirt , to expose me , to prove to me that there's nothing He does not see, or does not know. I've been full of pride inside, deep inside. Of course, always being the few top student in school , having the attention of every teacher , being the ' school grass' of every school I was in , having girls harrasing you , having your own name being mentioned everywhere only for the good things, being viewed as an all rounder and it goes on. These things , have been building up inside me for years , and it felt good, I didn't want to expose it.

But God humbled me, knowing that if I had gone on like that , I'll probably never turn back. And so, through the circumstances of 2008 , I was humbled. I was ' left' behind in Kluang. The reasons : I didn't do as well as I expected in STPM , didn't get the course I applied for , didn't even get in the first private uni intake , made to wait for half a year for the second intake , became the last person in my batch to leave town for studies when I always thought I'll be the first ! How awesome is that ?! The scripture says , the first shall become the last. Yeap , now I get it! To the world , I may be viewed a failure , and I rather fail. I rather fail now. Than to fail harder next time. I thank God for making me fail. Now, I really love to fail. It just breaks me again and again , and drawing me closer to the One who breaks me. I don't know what He's doing , but I know where He's leading me to. I thank God for whatever He has done to me , eventhough I do not understand then. But now, I know. I've got nothing to prove , have got nothing to show , all my successes had been His , and never was mine.

God is dealing with another area in my life now. He is challenging me to the course of giving up everything I have , and desire to have. All for his sake. To love Him more than my father, my mum, my wife ( if I'm going to have one ) , brothers and sisters. Only then shall I be worthy to be called his follower. I am counting the cost , I am struggling with it. I am waiting upon Him. It is really a call for all Christians , who call themselves a true follower of Christ , who does not want to be conform to the pattern of this world , but be transformed by the renewing of mind. This is it , this is the call. Take it or leave it.

Besides all that , of course I enjoyed my 'stint' in my lovely town here. But it's coming to an end. And I shall go where God wants me to be. It's been a fruitful time here in kluang , getting to be with my family , friends and getting to be part of God's work here. I've been enjoying late nights and late mornings. haha. I am going to miss those times. Nevertheless, something bigger than me awaits and I shall be discovering and experiencing it very soon.

You see , another strange thing has happened. God has been allowing me to go places I never thought I would have gone , eventhough deep inside my heart ,I did thought of it. But never did I pray or ask God for it. Let's see, in 2008 , I've been to Pulau Redang , Pulau Penang, Pulau Langkawi , and China. Honestly , I have always wanted to go these specific places , but not until this year. I didn't even ask HIM!! Amazing right ? I didn't even purposely plan to go , it's just opportunities and opportunities. Now, I understand again what the scripture means when it says ' Your Father in Heaven knows what you need even before you ask ' !! Hmmmm........

In conclusion , expect great things in 2009 ! You'll never know or expect what God is going to do to you. haha........ So, be on guard :) Oh , btw , I would love to thank everyone in Kluang , to my friends and those of you who have been a part of my life so far. I truly am thankful to God for putting amazing people like you in my life. You know who you are ;) Shalom !

p/s : No this is not my farewell speech. This is just 2008's closing ceremony. wahaha!! 2009 !

Expect the unexpectebles !