Above all else

I remember talking to a Malaysian friend and he was telling me how hectic Singapore felt compared to his home.  Everyone in Shenton Way walking 100 miles an hour, and the almost palpable sense of frenzy, a sort of buzz in the air.  Having just returned to Singapore from a trip to Hong Kong, I thought to myself that that was exactly how I felt about Hong Kong compared to Singapore! I suppose that's why many of us like taking beach holidays in places like Bali, or come back from driving trips to Western Australia gushing about the relaxed pace of life there. Maybe we're worried about our children's future - PSLE, 'O' levels, 'A' levels.  Or we fear getting older, getting ill.  Or perhaps family struggles - difficult spouse, children, parents or in-laws.  And of course, this being Singapore, the demands of work, work and more work... Depending on where you are in life, there's just a slew of things that gnaw at us day after day.  So where's the ...

With the start of the school year, weekday computer game time for the kids has been shelved, thankfully with less-than-expected withdrawal symptoms, as they bid a regretful au revoir to the iPad, laptop, etc!  One of the things we tell our kids is that if they get addicted to computer games or Korean dramas and lose control, we will throw them away.  I bet you have probably said the same thing to your children! Earlier this week, my wife very wisely pointed out to me the parenting double standards that are evident in this scenario.  It's often more straightforward to see our children's weaknesses.  For us as adults, we tend to be able to rationalise our weaknesses - spending excessive time on social media in the guise of keeping up with friends, buying branded goods by saying we have to present a certain image, or taking part in gossip in the name of "networking". Matthew 5:30 says: If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away.  I...

Every year, I make a serious attempt to think through what I hope to achieve - I work through the themes of "Going Deep", "Looking Far" and "Asking Big", a model I learned many years ago, and which I find works well for me.  This becomes my to-do list, as well as a prayer list - something to be held accountable for, and something to be grateful for in advance, even as God gives grace for these things to be done. I try to pray for really specific things - that I will maintain the discipline of writing and sharing this blog at least twice a month for example (reached 23).  Or like last year, for my ankle to be healed, and to make four races - specifically one each quarter (done :)).  To pray with my children every night (not done :(). As I go through each year's exercise, I look back at past years, and see where I've consistently succeeded, and where I've consistently fallen short.  These resolutions are not one-offs - many of them recur ...

As I stand in the doorway of 2016, it's rather thrilling to look forward to the fresh paths ahead. I don't quite know where they'll lead me, but it's another adventure!  It's like getting onto a new rollercoaster ride - there's trepidation and anticipatory adrenaline, because you know there will be ups and downs and loops, but you don't know when they're coming!  What things will I do?  What places will I see?  What people will I meet?  Most intriguingly, who will I be, come this time next year? Hebrews 11:8-10 says: By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going .  By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents , as did Isaac Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.  For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. Life is unce...