Turning away from my idols and to God

by | Sep 11, 2022 | Qin Ting, • Timely Word •

I give thanks to God for speaking to me about my spiritual whoredom through the sermon series on Hosea. I would like to take this opportunity to share some of my reflections.

The Lord reminded me that I had forsaken God and put one hundred percent of my energy in pursuing financial stability. I had desired to switch to part time work since last year so that I could have more time for God and my family. I even asked Pastor Adrian to pray for me on this matter. However, I changed my mind when I got the approval from my employer. I was not willing to give up my current lifestyle. I rationalized that I needed to spend a lot on my daughter’s enrichment classes, support my parents and save up for my old age.

Pastor Rick reminded us in one of the Hosea sermons that modern days of idolatry can be certain principles or belief systems we uphold that govern the world. This is so true in my case. I was very busy sending my daughter for different enrichment classes because I wanted to secure a better future for her by ensuring she remains competitive. Instead of spending time with her on God’s Word, I used my own ways to help her achieve worldly skills and competencies. Just like the Israelites, I have failed to pass down my faith to my daughter.

The fact is that, we do not know what tomorrow will bring. There is no guarantee that our certificates and skills will ensure us a better future. Our loved ones can only be well and safe under the mighty wing of God. Psalms 118: 9 says: “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes”. May the Lord help us and give us faith to invest our time and energy in eternal ways.

In the days of peace and prosperity, I am so busy enjoying earthly pleasures that I forget God is the one who provides and protects. In the days of peace and prosperity, I don’t have any daily struggles of wrestling with materialism, sensuality and pride because I have already surrendered to all these idols. It is true in my case that the days of peace and prosperity are the days of spiritual adultery and compromises. When earthly commitments fought to get my time and energy, I had always sacrificed God.

By God’s grace, although I withdrew in my relationship with Him, He never ceased caring and providing for me and my family. Looking back, has God failed to provide for me and my loved ones? No! not even once! Though I am faithless, He remained faithful even when I disowned him. May the Lord forgive me and help me to put Him as my daily priority.

At the start of Hosea series, Pastor Rick asked us about our motivations to love God. It is good that we turn back to God when we are overwhelmed by life’s challenges. But it is more beautiful that we turn to Him every moment in peaceful and prosperous times.

I will use Titus 2: 11-12 as a conclusion for this sharing: “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age”. May the Lord help us to turn away from our idols and stay close to Him every moment in our life.

By sister Qin Ting

His Faithfulness Endures Forever

by | Sep 13, 2020 | Qin Ting, • Timely Word •

It was about a week before the first COVID-19 case in Singapore, when my nurse manager assigned me to be part of the COVID-19 ICU nursing team in Singapore General Hospital. It was the first such nursing team to be formed and I was the only nurse with a young child at home among the five of us in the team. In the beginning, I was upset with my supervisor. I thought to myself: “Why did she choose me? Doesn’t she know I have a young kid at home? Who is going to look after my daughter if something happens to me?” I asked my supervisor for more time to think through the assignment before accepting it. I called one of my mentors and talked to her about my fears and concerns. Through the counsel of my mentor Suzanna, I was reminded of God’s faithfulness. She helped me shift my focus from all my fears of the unknown virus to who God is and what He can do for us. I prayed after putting down the phone with Suzanna, “Lord, take away my fears, help me to be so zealous in serving you regardless of the assignment you are going to give me. Lord, here I am. Use me as you will.”

The first ICU activation for a suspected COVID-19 case soon came during my night shift. I remember hearing the sounds of my own heartbeat as I walked the empty path to the isolation ward. I said a quick prayer before I entered the isolation room. God arranged all the senior doctors and nurses on that night with me and everything went smoothly though it was our first experience wearing the personal protective equipment to perform life-saving procedures on a real patient. Subsequently, this patient tested negative for the virus. The Lord provided me this dry run experience and I had gained much confidence in the steps to take to protect myself. I was in the isolation ICU until May this year; God’s hand was with me all the time. I know many of you had been praying for me and the safety of our healthcare workers. Thank you; your prayers were answered.

Thank you for blessing us with your encouraging words and the lovely snacks before circuit breaker; my colleagues and I are touched by your love.

As I reflect on my experience, I have learnt much:

  1. God is faithful and merciful; He will honour my desire if I desire to honour him. “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him (Lamentations 3:25).” I was prepared for the worst, God protected me from danger and harm.
  2. My heart is always filled with gratitude whenever I receive credit for being a good nurse. I knew little about loving and serving others when I came to Singapore at the age of 19. I learnt it from many brothers and sisters in YCKC who demonstrated love to me in one way or another over the years. I give thanks to God for your faithful service onto others.
  3. Even though I really struggle with my daily devotion as a working mum, God remains faithful even though I am faithless; His loving kindness never ceases in my everyday life. I experience His forgiveness and empowerment every time I confess my sins; He comes near to me whenever I come near to Him. Great is His faithfulness!

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commands (Deuteronomy 7:9). May our faithful God protect you and your family. May the Lord help us to love him and keep his commands in our daily life, Amen.

By Sister Qin Ting (YCKC Bulletin 13 September 2020)