PCF Days
I served as the PCF Executive Committee programmer for ’83-84 session. It was a tough year, I recalled facing much pressures, obstacles and trials. What sustained me were the prayers and encouragement from fellow PCFers. My spirit was constantly refreshed as I spent time alone with God. Consequently, I found great motivation to persevere on, and to abound in the work of God, knowing that my toil for God is not in vain.
Pioneering a new CF
After my national service, I was admitted into Hawaii Pacific University. To my surprise, there was no Christian group on campus. I became acquainted with the housing director who received me at the airport, and we decided to meet for Bible studies. Four months later, 3 other students joined us. Through much difficulties and prayer, we applied for official recognition and became the first Christian fellowship in the university. Initially, we named it Pacific Christian Fellowship (PCF again!!), but later changed it to Hawaii Pacific University CF. The pioneering group has since graduated. Presently the group has about 10 members, including an English professor.
In retrospect, I realized that my PCF training and experiences have equipped me in setting up clear goals and in planning programmes for this pioneering work. I also learnt to appreciate the hard work that must have been done by the early pioneers of PCF and other ministries, having experienced this myself.
Viewing failure and success in Life
During my 2nd year in Poly, I failed miserably in my studies (6 F’s and 1 D). I was crushed and lost all confidence in myself. For a year, I had to struggle to get out of the pit of discouragement and despair. Many well-meaning Christians “lectured” me on the importance of bearing a good testimony in my studies. I felt that I was the worst Christian God ever had. I struggled with questions like, “Is failure final?”, “Am I going to be a flop forever?”. I concluded with an emphatic NO!!
I determined not to give up, because God does not give up on me. By God’s grace, I worked hard and scored 39 straight A’s and became the top student in my university. In my graduation speech, I shared about my past failures, instead of just dwelling on success. For it is in remembering my past that will keep me from being proud or self-sufficient. Below is an excerpt of my graduation speech.
The only real failure is when we quit trying. Richard Wurmbrand, A Rumanian Christian who spent fourteen yours in communist prisons, wrote, “don’t worry about your physical handicaps or any other kind of handicap. They can be the best stimulants to great achievement.” Former Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, General George Patton, Thomas Edison and Albert Einstein all had one common handicap – dyslexia, a perceptual disorder which blocks the person’s ability to read, spell, or write legibly. Yet they did not bow down to this handicap but went on to accomplish great things. We can learn from them to persevere on…
(See the full text of my valedictory speech)
In times of failure or defeat, draw near to God for grace and comfort (Hebrews 4:15,16). As pastor Erwin Lutzer writes, “If your defeat and failure cause you to turn away from God, you don’t understand God’s grace!”
As members in the Body of Christ, let us adopt a more redemptive attitude towards those who are labeled as failures – the backslidden, the divorced, etc. My feelings are reflected in the words of D.E. Galloway, “Today, my heart bleeds for those who have been washed out of their churches…those who are branded as failures forever. The church of Jesus Christ must be more redemptive than this…”
Let us there encourage and comfort those who are feeling “down in the dumps”.
A Challenge for Us
Let us “run with endurance the race that is set before us, focusing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith” (Hebrews 12:1,2). The road ahead is long, narrow and hard. There may be setbacks and failures, but let us press on and not give up, knowing that our faithful God will never give up on each one of us.
Books I’ve found helpful: Failure: The Back Door to Success by Erwin Lutzer
Rebuild Your Life: How to Survive a Crisis by D.E. Galloway |
