Branded by Design

~Give for You Have Received~

Before this semester started, I set goals for myself. What do I want to do? What do I need to do? What things do I want to improve on? What gifts do I want to share? And what steps do I take in order to achieve my goals?

I listed my priorities and my interests. I allocate time for things that are for me, necessary in life, but not mandatory. For example, school and work are mandatory, for me, personally, it's not an option. Meanwhile, volunteering, pursuing interest, catching up with friends, being involved in organization, keeping in contact with family, spending time with God (aka my Daddy as Lisa would put it) are necessary. So, when planning my semester, I was so caught up in the fact that I have to have a so-called balanced life. And on top of all, I was pumped up at the possibility of excelling in all the areas that I want in my life.

Without really realising it, I'm slowly building up my pride. In fleet moments I would think of the praises that I'd received if I suceed in all those. And I seriously thought that I'd become a better person by having a my supposedly balanced life.

Then, last week at church, it hit me that I'm doing it all wrong. There's this lady who was introducing the ministries in the church and she gave a personal account of what 'ministry', 'serving', 'volunteering' and those along the line mean to her. A sentence from her that struck me is 'give because you've received.' And it hit me that I'm actually asking a lot back from what I'm doing in my life. I'm asking for lots of money when I graduate in the future and have a job, I'm searching for recognition for me deeds, I'm looking for personal satisfaction from excelling, and perhaps many more that I'm not even concious of.

So, I'm trying to remind myself to do because you've got a talent to do it. Give, because you have it abundantly. Love, because I have been loved. Do, give, love, period. Life's a lot simpler when you're not thinking of what's coming back to you.