Monday, February 05, 2007

Life's Journey

January 22, 2007, Monday. Vienna, Austria.

Been traveling for a week and words have finally caught up with the emotions. Nothing draws me out better than words. And nothing cuts through like the Word of God. God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey. Nothing and no one is impervious to God's Word. We can't get away from it - no matter what. Hebrews 4:12-13 The Message.

One week away from home and it felt like ages. Disassociated geographically yet life continues to flow according to His purpose and timing. Home is where the heart is and Singapore is home. As a tree is rooted to the ground, its branches continue to grow as its roots sink deeper into the earth. Similarly as my heart anchors deeper into His will and purposes for my life, my thirst is satisfied through knowing Him as His promises for my life come to past. I know what I am doing. I have it all planned out - plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for. "When you call on me, when you come and pray to me, I'll listen. When you come looking for me, you'll find me." "Yes, when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else, I'll make sure you won't be disappointed." GOD's Decree. Jeremiah 29:11-14 The Message.

February 4, 2007, Sabbath. Singapore.

Been back for a week and finally able to find the time and space to write. It's good to be home. Throughout the two weeks that I had been overseas, I witnessed the intervening hand of God (through storms), experienced His faithfulness (in taking care of travel arrangements and accommodations) and found solace in His presence (when I felt alone but not abandoned).
On the third day of the trip, My cousin and I were visiting the town of Nymphenburg, northeast of central Munich in the morning when we received warning that a storm was expected to hit town some time in the afternoon. While taking pictures of the Nymphenburg palace, we were almost carried into the lake by the strong wind. It was not too long before we decided that we had better return to the hotel. Storm clouds gathered very quickly and seemed to block out the sun sooner that we could turn our heads.

We got back to the hotel between 2 pm to 3 pm. As we had been out the whole morning, we decided to stay in to rest while we wait out the brewing storm. Little did we know that the full force of the storm was unleashed upon Western Europe shortly after that. News reported that wind as strong as 180 km per hour was sweeping people off the streets of another foreign city, even related injuries were reported. Flights were cancelled and train services running out of Germany were suspended. The country was on storm alert. We had originally planned to take the overnight train from Munich to Vienna the following night. And for the first time in my life, I was not too proud to ask members of both my biological and spiritual family to pray for me and my travel companions.

As the skies turned darker, the winds got stronger and the rain came down. Besides the sound from the TV, the constant sound of the night was that of the wind and of loose canvas flapping from the construction site next to the hotel. I went in to the bathroom, shut the door behind me and pray to God for journey mercy and for the safety of a friend who eventually returned to the hotel. The next morning, we woke up to the sun breaking through the clouds and a light drizzle. My heart leapt and I gave thanks to the Lord. As the storm died down, we even managed to spend the day visiting a Nazi concentration camp in the township of Dachau. The cold and rainy weather added to the melancholy that overhangs Dachau.

Night came and it was time to leave Munich. While waiting to board the train to Vienna, I had the chance to speak with fellow travelers who were apparently stranded for two days because the trains were delayed due to the storm. Thanks be to God that we were able to board our train and leave Munich on schedule. It was a God-orchestrated trip right from the start. I would not be where I am and having a future if not for Him. He has given us life. Do we dare to trust Him enough to live it?

In Christ,
Sv ",+

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