In Christ Alone
01.09.07 - 12:23 a.m.
I am thankful for so many things in my life :)

Instead of using this diary to talk anymore about myself, I think I should use it to talk about what God and others in my life have done for me...

Because I feel that in the last two years I have been just receiving, receiving and receiving; so many blessings from so many quarters.

I do feel that I have been taking, taking and taking and not giving anything back. Actually, I want to be able to repay somehow everyone who has helped me so much in the last two years.. at least to let them know how much they have done for me and how much their actions have helped. A great many people I would like to express my appreciation to!! And I am kind of ashamed I have not done it sooner.

Dear God, show me how I can change, and be less self-centred, and be a better friend.

And to all who thought I was angsty over the last week, well... I'm not angsty lah. I'm actually... well, I would be extremely happy if I were not a bit concerned for some friendships and some friends :P I know that in the long run, I may have to allow some friendships to be sacrificed to a certain degree as I walk with God and follow His path for my life.

But I won't allow my desire for man's good opinion to rule my life - I have committed all to God. He knows what is best for me, and while waiting for His will to be revealed, I will be patient and try to joyfully accept whatever He has in store for me... :P

And in the meantime, I will stop thinking so much about myself and start thinking instead of how to serve God more effectively with my life and how to be a better student :P It is no use brooding on possibilities... The most important person in my life, the only one whose favour and good opinion I should strive to obtain every day, is God. I'm not out to impress or retain the love of anyone except God... And the only useful way to live my life is to live it for God - to truly treat him as my First Love: first not in the sense of "puppy love", but in the sense I used it in "Mr Nearly" - the love you have for the person you put Number One above all else. And my Number One is, and will always be, God. Let everything else fall into place.

In the words of my all-time favourite hymn/worship song:

In Christ alone
My hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone
This solid Ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love,
What depths of peace
When fears are stilled,
When strivings cease!
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone! - who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe!
This Gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied -
For every sin on Him was laid:
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again!
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine -
Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till he returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand!


In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory in the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength, my source of hope
Is Christ alone