This was written a few days before we moved to Singapore.
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We are currently in the midst of transiting from Canada to Singapore. I did the same thing back in 2011, and I thought it was difficult. Now having two kids, I realized ‘difficult’ is a matter of perspective.
In the past two months, there were a few stressful nights. Stressful because by the time both Wai Jia and I finished eating dinner and cleaning up the house, it would be 9:30 pm. We would have about 30 min or so to pack, process and prepare ourselves for the big move.
Plus, the amount of paperwork involved. Wow.
By God’s grace, after many nights of doing a bit here and there, we finally saw much progress this morning. Wai Jia has been tirelessly packing our children’s things and preparing for a place in Singapore. I, on the other hand, have been focusing on items we need to check off here in Canada.
One thing I realized about moving to a different country (for us, an average once a year), is that it is easier to ‘take shortcuts’ and just not do things properly. I will expand on this for the rest of my post.
One other thing I realized about Canada is that the system is voluntary. If I don’t tell the system, they probably won’t know. But if I inform them, then I have to submit forms, pay fees, and make sure I meet the qualifications. I love Canada, and at the same time, I could do things improperly and probably get away with it. Of course, it is not wise, but it will save a lot of time and effort.
I will take Healthcare as an example. In order to maintain health care coverage, I need to meet certain criteria. This means going to the local Ontario Service (an office where it deals with driver’s license, health cards, etc.) and inform them. This also involves filling a form and getting a letter from my employer. It is a lot of work now that we have two more children (they are dependent on me).
The easier way is to go without informing them. Of course, if you are caught, you are in trouble. But the trouble won’t be fine or a penalty. I am sure many people do it because it is less of a hassle and so on.
I can go on and on. But something that the Lord has put in our hearts is the importance of walking rightly before Him.
It would be very silly to lie and cheat my way in order to do things for God. It is tempting, but God looks not just what we can do for Him or the results, but what’s in our hearts. Every step and every decision we should be making righteously.
This is hard. It is hard because it is easier to cheat, lie, or not tell the whole truth to move on. It is easy to justify it by telling myself, “well, I have many things to do. I am sure the Lord understands. He will probably forgive me. I need healthcare coverage to do more work for Him.”
No, He won’t. He will hold me accountable in heaven.
A while ago, we read in Psalm 84:11:
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor;
no good thing does he withhold
from those whose walk is blameless. (NIV)
This verse is very interesting. A lot of times, many of us, myself included, ask God for blessings like things. I need a new job. I need a favor. I need help with my kids etc.
Yet, this verse is telling us the focus is not solely on asking for blessings.
Rather, when we walk uprightly, when we chose the right decision, even though it almost always will cost us more time, effort, or money, He will not hold back good things from us.
This, for me, is probably, the most important lesson for a Christian in walking in Christ. It ain’t about just asking for blessings (even at times when we are doing His ministry).
Rather, we need to examine our own walk and make sure it is righteous or blameless before God and before men.
AMEN!
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Update: We visited Ontario Service to discuss about my health care (OHIP) coverage before we flew out. They informed me the maximum I can take is two years while overseas. This means it is most likely I will lose my Canadian health care when we go to mission. God is still good and He is still my healer.
