From Scratch

A shot from my homechurch here in Melbourne, Bridge Church (formerly known as Richmond AOG) @ Bridge Road, Richmond.

I realised that I've not mentioned anything about my church. Haha, cute church name, right.

Today was prayer and worship night at OCF; today I was reminded how the phrase "We're all in this together" is more than a cheesy line from High School Musical.

Yong Shen went up front to share. With the microphone in one hand and a piece of paper in the other, he told us, "Okay, I'm going to share something with you guys, I may even start crying. But I'm not going to--" and he continued. A few sentences later, we all knew that he was holding back his emotions - in other words, he tried not to cry.

"Okay, I think I'm gonna cry". But he didn't; control macho.

Without hesitation, Joel and OJ got up from their comfortable seats (the seats in the Evan Burge are soft and nice to touch, heh heh) and stood side by side with Yong Shen - Joel on the right with his arm on Yong Shen's shoulder, and OJ on the left with tissue. Since Yong Shen too macho, he ignored the tissue.

I saw this guy standing in the front - trying hard to control his emotions as he spoke to us, but stripped down and in complete honesty before God. And that is the real deal. He reminded us/me to run to God, not only in our times of trouble, but in our times of success. He challenged us/me to stretch our trust in God and exercise our faith, because GOD IS GOOD. He asked us/me if we have been praying for salvation. He showed us/me that being real with God is all that matters.

I saw his brothers alongside him offering support, prayer, encouragement and drive as he shared. Praying for him before the cue, standing with him as he stood, affirming him while he spoke and encouraging him at the end. They reminded me of people I know who would have done the same. They challenged me to be that person for someone new.

That's the kind of man I'd like; that's the kind of friend I'd want to be.

It's humbling.