When Your Heart Burns Again

In the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus found them confused and disheartened. The disciples had placed their hope in Jesus, but He ended up crucified on the cross. They didn’t realize the stranger talking to them was Jesus, who proceeded to explain to them the fulfilment of the scriptures from Moses until that time. When the disciples finally recognised Him, they said excitedly:

Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us – Luke 24:32

God walks with us – even when we don’t recognise Him

The disciples were talking to Jesus on the way to Emmaus, yet they did not recognise Him. Often, when we’re too caught up with our emotions, disappointments and unmet expectations, we miss God’s presence right beside us. We often miss the graces and opportunities presented to us in our daily life when we fail to recognise God in our midst. The truth is: He is always present with us, whether we feel or recognise Him.

Understanding Scripture reignites a weary heart

When Jesus started explaining the scriptures, the two disciples were amazed and felt their hearts burning. Jesus’ insight cut through their confusion. Their clarity ignited something powerful inside them. It was a conviction. It was a reawakening and an alignment of the heart. Similarly, God’s Word should ignite our heart, so that it is burning again!

A burning heart leads to a changed direction

When Jesus blessed and broke the bread, the two disciples’ eyes were opened immediately and they recognised Jesus. Upon seeing Jesus, they immediately turned around and return to Jerusalem. When our hearts are ignited with God’s truth, we need to redirect our lives towards God. We can’t stay the same, we can’t continue drifting anymore. Our burning hearts must leads us to where God wants to take us.

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: discern God’s presence in your life, let His Word reignite your heart and let it fire burning in your heart lead you to do God’s will. The fire in your heart is not meant to warm you, it is there to ignite you into action.

The Weight of Wisdom

I celebrated my birthday last week with my family in China. As part of my birthday celebration, we had a family trip to Hong Kong, Macau and Shenzhen China. It was truly enjoyable, memorable and reminded me of how blessed I am!

I realise that growing older does not always mean growing wiser. Or that growing wiser comes with a weight of sorrow…

For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief – Ecclesiastes 1:18

I’ve learnt that wisdom often brings a deeper awareness – and with it, a certain sorrow. I couldn’t help reflecting on this as I welcome another year of my life.

Wisdom Reveals what we cannot unseen

Growth changes your perspective. The more you understand, the more you begin to recognise what is out of alignment – whether in your life, your relationships, or the world around you.

Once you see the truth, you cannot go back to not knowing. You can’t feign ignorance. Wisdom stretches you, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Wisdom Confronts us before it Transforms us

Wisdom doesn’t just show you the world – it shows you yourself. As I reflected over the past year, I didn’t just see growth – I also saw missed opportunities and wasted time.

What feels like sorrow is often the beginning of transformation. Conviction leads to change. Awareness leads to action. And growth, though uncomfortable, always move you forward.

Wisdom carries Weight – but also Purpose

Wisdom can feel heavy sometimes. It makes you more aware of life’s struggles, suffering and pain – and the responsibility that comes from that knowing.

However, the weight of wisdom is not meant to crush you, but to shape you:

  • respond instead of react
  • choose with intention
  • live with deeper purpose

You are given wisdom to live more meaningfully and with purpose.

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: to be aware of the weight of wisdom that can sometimes feel like a burden, but more importantly, to see the beauty of wisdom that brings meaning, purpose and transformation.

Carried on Eagles Wings

Have you ever felt like you’re meant to be soaring high in the sky, but felt like you’re exhausted just flapping your wings?

Let me remind you of what God said when He rescued the Israelites from slavery in Egypt:

You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself – Exodus 19:4

This Eagle mindset is not about your effort, strength nor discipline. It’s about whose wings you’re riding on when you soar above the stormy situations in your life.

1. I carried you

God carried the Israelites out of the slavery in Egypt by His mighty hand. It’s about surrendering to the One who lifts us up. In whatever challenging or impossible situations we find ourselves, God is able to carry us through it.

2. On eagles’ wings

God carried the Israelites from slavery to freedom. Eagle swoops down and carry their young – even midair – to safely. It does it tenderly but with great strength. God comes to carry us on eagle’s wings when we’re exhausted – and He does it with His loving hands.

3. And brought you to myself

God brought the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt to Himself. Even though the Israelites complaint endlessly, yet God was patient with them and provided for them in the desert. He never abandoned them in the desert. In the same way, God is bringing us to Himself, seeking a personal relationship with Him.

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: ask God to carry you on eagle’s wings each day – above your fears, frustration and exhaustion. Trust in God to carry you to rise above the chaos of life and soar to the highest sky.

Commissioned To Go

When Joshua took over from Moses to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land, it was a huge assignment.

But God gave Joshua this promise:

Be strong and courageous… Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go – Joshua 1:9

The Israelites were starting a new chapter of their lives in the Promised Land. Joshua had a big shoes to fill – taking over from Moses – leading a new generation of Israelites. It was Joshua’s obedience that gave him the courage and strength to lead God’s people, knowing that God is with him.

WEEK 12 Theme: Commissioned to God

This week, we will choose to live intentionally, aligning our daily actions with who God has commissioned us to be. God demands our obedience when he commission us with His plan. There is no step-by-step plan, or guarantees, or perfection conditions – just His perfect plan.

We can choose to stay comfortable or confused, or stuck – or we can go where we’re called by God. We don’t need more preparation, or more signs. We just need to say “Yes” and move towards God’s plan, knowing that God is with us whenever He commission us.

Weekly Intention

This week, make a decision to follow Jesus wholeheartedly and take action in obedience to our divine commission.

As we celebrate Holy Week this week, let us prepare our hearts to embrace the death and resurrection of Jesus. Just as Jesus commissioned His disciples after His resurrection, we are also commissioned to be His disciples to do His will.

Seek God for discernment on where He is sending you to in this season of your life. Let go of everything that is holding you back. Stand firm in your conviction.

Go because God is with you.

Question: What is God asking me to step into right now – and will I go?

Obedience When It Doesn’t Make Sense

In the story of Naaman, he was told by the prophet Elisha’s messenger to wash at the Jordan River for seven times. Naaman was a respected commander with leprosy, and was furious with this ridiculous instruction. His servant persuaded him, and he was completed healed after doing so.

WEEK 11 Theme: Obedience When it doesn’t Make Sense

For Naaman, it totally doesn’t make sense to wash himself at the river and for seven times! And he felt disrespected as the prophet Elisha didn’t come to him, but had sent his messenger with the instruction. He refused to follow it, but was persuaded by his servants. It is only by following the instruction that he was healed.

Many times, when God calls us to do something that doesn’t make sense, or it is inconvenient or uncomfortable, we are reluctant to do so. We make excuses, delay or ignore it. Many times, our pride gets in the way – we want to know the plan first so we can feel ready. We find it hard to trust God when His instruction does not make sense to us.

Faith doesn’t grow in comfort – it grows in surrender. Sometimes, the very step we resist is the one that leads to breakthrough, just like in the story of Naaman.

Weekly Intention

Obedience is not about having all the answers. It is about trusting in the One who does. Obedience is trusting in God for His plan – taking a leap of faith – knowing that God orchestrates the people and events according to His mighty plan. His plan always prevails. His plan is perfect.

This week, ponder on God’s “nudges” that is calling you to do something uncomfortable or something that doesn’t make sense. Forget about trying to figure out God’s plan, for you will never be able to do so. It is only in hindsight, that sometimes God reveals why He did what He did, but not always.

Question: Where am I challenged to obey God, even thought it doesn’t make sense now?

Consistency: The Quiet Power of Daily Action

We can be inspired by a powerful message, or an unforgettable lesson, or an impactful experience. However, inspiration fades if it is not followed by consistent action. Many people forget that real transformation happens through daily faithfulness in small steps.

WEEK 10 Theme: Consistency: The Quiet Power of Daily Action

In the story of Daniel, he was living in a foreign land, and was pressured to conform to their culture. Yet, he maintained a daily routine of praying to God three times a day.

When a decree was issued that no one could pray to any god except the king, Daniel did not panic or suddenly become heroic. He simply continued doing what he had always done—opening his windows toward Jerusalem and praying as usual (Daniel 6:10). That consistent faithfulness led to the famous moment in the lions’ den. But the miracle didn’t begin in the den. It began in Daniel’s daily discipline. His courage in the crisis was built through years of quiet consistency.

Consistency may seem small in the moment, but it prepares us for moments that matter.

Weekly Intention

We often wait to feel motivated. This week, I propose that you choose faithfulness instead. Choose to be faithful on a daily basis.

Set you daily baseline actions – the non-negotiable – showing up to pray, post one simple content, write your gratitude journal, exercise at least 5 minutes, etc. Of course, you can do more than that, but set your baseline minimum that you must do every day. For example, you can target 30-60 minutes at the gym three times a week, but your baseline is 5 minutes at home when you are really tired or jet lagged. The aim is that you must do at least the bare minimum every day – consistency sets up your momentum.

Consistency is not about perfection or performance. Consistency is about showing up on a daily basis. God often works through steady obedience more than spectacular moments. It is the quiet power that transforms our life. This consistent daily action will build our character and strengthened our faith.

Question: Where is God inviting me to be faithful in small, daily actions?

Responding to God’s Invitation with Courage

The story of the Samaritan woman at the well shows how we can respond to God’s invitation. She had gone to the well during the heat of midday to avoid the cooler morning crowd, where she encountered Jesus. When Jesus revealed the truth of her life – five husbands and currently a lover – He was not judging or condemning her. And she responded by leaving her jar behind and going back to her town.

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, ‘Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?'” – John 4:28–29

WEEK 9 Theme: Responding to God’s Invitation with Courage

The woman left her water jar and rushed back to the village to tell everyone about Jesus. Her response to Jesus invitation was immediate. The woman who used to avoid the villagers due to her shame – became the one who invited them to meet the Messiah. This encounter with Jesus changed her life – and the life of the villagers. She overcame her shame and became a powerful messenger. After Jesus stayed at the town for two days, the villagers said that they believed in Jesus, not just based on what she had said, but what they have heard first-hand themselves.

Weekly Intention

The woman left her water jar at the well. She left her shame behind. She believe she has met the Messiah and she shared this wonderful news with the villagers.

This week, think about what you might need to leave behind to follow where Jesus is leading you – shame, anxiety, unforgiveness, past sin, future worries, etc. Leave them behind for a new transformation in your life.

Whatever your past is, God is using it to transform you. Jesus revealed himself to a Samaritan – a Samaritan with a shameful past – to totally transform her life and the lives of her villagers. God reveals the truth to us – about our lives, our identity, our calling – and the question is how we respond. It is when we respond to God’s invitation with courage that our lives can be transformed.

Question: What is God inviting me to do in response to Him today?

Restoring Faith and Identity after Shame and Loss

It was October 2023 when I finally admitted that I was scammed. I couldn’t believe it – how foolish could I be?!! I lost a huge 6-figure sum, but more than that, I lost all my confidence, trust and identity. For months, I cried tears of shame and guilt.

WEEK 8 Theme: Restoring Faith and Identity after Shame and Loss

The experience of being scammed brought deep meaning to the words, “God’s redemption and restoration” – as I lived through it in a real and painful way. I was brought to a lonely desert place, where God redeemed me with His grace and restored me with His love. When all I could feel was shame and I wanted to run far away from God, He pursued me relentlessly with His fierce love and held me tightly in His loving grace.

He brought friends who prayed and supported me, books that enlightened me, and songs that helped me weep. He restored my shaken faith and broken identity. He restored me by renewing who I am.

Weekly Intention

Each of us has past experiences of shame and guilt – but they do not define us:

  1. Identity one past experience that has haunted you for a long time. Find a safe time and space to sit with it and experience the emotions, however painful or uncomfortable they are.
  2. Place your pain and suffering at the foot of the cross – releasing them to our Great Healer, Jesus.
  3. Simply ask Jesus: Please heal me, redeem me and restore me.
  4. Thank God for His great love, mercy and compassion.

Our negative past experiences will continue to hold us captive if we do not release them to God – trapping us with their lies about who we are – lies that we are not enough, or we can’t be trusted, or we have nothing to offer.

I rebuilt my confidence through God’s faithfulness. The money may or may not return in the same form, but something deeper already has – my identity as a daughter of God. This post today is my testimony of God’s redemption and restoration. And also to close this chapter of my life, so that I can move on to new chapters.

Question: What lie did shame plant in me – and what trust is God restoring in my life?

Restored to Your True Identity

I was reading the passage of the Prodigal Son today – how the father welcomed back his youngest son who squandered his inheritance after demanding it from his father. Usually, I would relate to the elder son who felt indignant that his father celebrated and welcomed back his prodigal son. Today, I had an epiphany – like the younger son, I too had squandered the many blessings God had given me.

WEEK 7 Theme: Restored to Your True Identity

The younger son had sought freedom, pleasure and fulfilment outside of his father’s house – and ended up losing all his money and starving in a pigsty in a foreign land. In shame, he wanted to return back to his father’s house as a servant. But his father ran towards him from afar, welcomed him back and restored him as his heir. The father celebrated his son’s return by getting his servant to fetch him his robe, ring, and sandals. And on top of that, he slaughtered the fatted calf to have a feast for him.

What a wonderful imagery of restoration – being reinstated and celebrated as a beloved child.

Weekly Intention

In our lives, we neglect the many blessings that Our Father has given us. We squander our time, opportunities, and calling. We run away to find pleasure. We distract ourselves with social media scrolling or food/wine or other self-indulgences. We strive for performance and perfection. All in futility…

This week, we will set our intention to live as a Child of God, and not as servant. Hence, we will need to change our mindsets:

  1. Stop performing for Approval – I don’t need to do/achieve more to please God, but to know that I am already deeply loved. I serve from love, not for love.
  2. Replace fear with Security – replace punishment and shame with security in God’s love. God is always waiting for us, even when we have squandered His treasures.
  3. Make decisions from Identity, not insecurity – stop chasing validation and needing to prove our worthiness, but be secure in our identity as a Child of God and in His love and grace.

Question: Where have I been living like a servant instead of a Child of God?

From Redemption to Restoration

Redemption is where God starts – how He gave His Son to pay the price for our sin. After we are redeemed by Jesus, He continues to restore our lives, so that we don’t live as damaged goods, but wine in new wineskin.

WEEK 6 Theme: From Redemption to Restoration

In the story of Ruth – she lost her husband and had no future. Boaz stepped in as her kinsman-redeemer. He paid the price to legally restore her inheritance.

Ultimately, redemption points to Jesus, who paid for the debt of our sin on the cross. Fully. This redemption means that sin has no authority over us, shame has no hold over us, and our past does not own our future. We are no longer condemned by our sin. We are fully redeemed.

Redemption settles our position before God. Restoration transforms our condition.

Restoration looks like: courage replacing fear, wisdom replacing regret, peace replacing chaos. Hence purpose emerges from our pain and redemption.

Redemption happens in a moment. Restoration unfolds over a lifetime.

Some believers stay mentally stuck at redemption – knowing that we are saved and forgiven, yet living like broken and stuck in life.

The same God who redeemed you is committed to restoring – your character, your calling, your confidence – and this will lead to increasing your capacity to influence and empower others.

Weekly Intention

He redeems what was lost.

He restores what was broken.

And He often gives you something better than what you thought you needed.

This week, instead of simply asking God to fix things, ask Him to transform you through them:

  1. Write down something in your life that you want God to redeem and restore
  2. Pray and place it in God’s hands
  3. Release it and trust that God will redeem and restore it in His amazing way

Question: What part of my story do I need to release so God can redeem and restore it?

Allowing God to Restore Our Souls

Restoration is God’s work of making us whole after we have been slowly drained, neglected or wounded – often without us even noticing.

WEEK 5 Theme: Allowing God to Restore Our Souls

This week is about permission – permission to slow down, to stop pretending we’re fine, and to let God heal our soul. For God is our creator – He understands us like no one else. He knows our secret thoughts , our deepest longing, and our hidden desires. He is aware of our years of carrying, coping, striving, and staying strong. And He grasps that we are tired, exhausted, and muted – for He realizes that many of us have been surviving on an empty tank or low fuel.

He restores my soul – Psalm 23:3

Weekly Intention

This week, let us do a contemplative practice of allowing God to restore our soul (5 minutes):

  1. Settle Down (1 minute) – sit comfortably, take a slow breath in and an even slower breath out. Let us create a space to enter God’s presence.
  2. Become Aware (1 minute) – gentle ask yourself, “What feels most tired in me right now?”. It could be your body, your emotions, your mind, or your spirit. Whatever comes up – just notice it. No judgement.
  3. Turn Toward God (2 minutes) – simple pray this simple sentence: “Lord, I allow You to restore my soul”. Just sit with the words, and gently return to this sentence if your mind wanders.
  4. Rest (1 minute) – stop the words, sit quietly and breathe. Let God do what only He can do – restore what you cannot fix by trying harder.

Weekly Reflection Question:

Let God heal and restore your weary soul – to bring joy that has gone quiet, to give hope that has been postponed, and to revive dreams that have been buried. God restores us by aligning our soul with His still water, where clarity returns.

Question: Where do I need to allow God to restore me, instead of trying harder?

Listening To Your Younger Self

Today, my friend talked about seeking the wisdom of your younger self, starting from 5 years old, up to your current age, in increment of 5 years. I thought he was referring to imagining what my younger self would say, but he wasn’t referring to that. It is to listen to your younger self “speak” to you.

WEEK 3 Theme: Listening to Your Younger Self

Reawakening isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about remember who you were – before fear learned to speak louder than your faith, or setbacks kept you from moving forward, or tragedies broke your heart.

It is not about fixing your past. It’s about letting the past speak life into your present.

Weekly Intention:

Sit down in a quiet place and allocate a time where you won’t be disturbed or distracted. Ask yourself this question:

Imagine I am 5 years old, and knowing what I know now, what would my younger self share with me? (Do this for the next 5 years – 10 years old, 15 years old, 20 years old, etc)

After this reflection, very importantly, you must say this to yourself:

Thank you for serving me. I can now take it from here.

Do not judge or beat yourself up. Do not allow shame or guilt to overwhelm you. Do not scold your younger self.

Be compassionate. Be kind. Be forgiving.

Honour yourself and be proud of how far you’ve come. Appreciate and thank yourself for the person you are today. Do not be ashamed of your battle scars, because those scars are evidence of the battles you have fought and won. Do not be ashamed of your brokenness, because they show how God has saved you and made you whole again.

God can use the wisdom of your younger self to transform you – to remind you of His grace, mercy and compassion. Whether you see it or not, God has redeemed, restored and protected you in miraculous ways.

Remember: you are God’s masterpiece.

Weekly Reflection Question:

If you feel stuck or restless, then listening to the wisdom of your younger self might bring invaluable insights. Seek the truth from your younger selves – to claim their wisdom and to transform your life today.

Question: What truth from my younger self am I ready to claim?

From Affirmation to Afformation

Last weekend, I learnt a new word, Afformation – it is like a positive affirmation, but with better manners and less bossy! Instead of telling your brain something it may not believe yet, you ask a question that gently nudges your mind to look for answers.

Affirmation: I am confident and successful (Your brain: “Says who?”)

Afformation: Why am I becoming more confident and successful every day? (Your brain: “Hmm… let me check”)

One triggers resistance. The other triggers curiosity.

WEEK 3 Theme: From Affirmation to Afformation – Awakening Curiosity instead of Force

Reawakening doesn’t happen by shouting positive statements to a tired soul. It happens when we become curious enough to listen and pay attention with curiosity. Affirmations are great – declaring what we want to believe – but sometimes it is a challenging journey of convincing ourselves. Afformation invites us to reawaken our soul and be curious, even going for a deep dive, if we find the courage to do so.

Weekly Intention:

To reawaken awareness by asking life-giving questions that bypass resistance and invite God into our inner dialogue:

  • Turn your affirmation or declaration into question that pique your curiosity and/or reflect on yourself
  • Pause. Do not rush to answer the question, but be still and quiet. You can even put your hand to your heart and breath slowly
  • Even if you can’t find the answer, stay curious – no pressure, no right or wrong, and no marks for answering – just pondering the question is enough

Weekly Reflection Question:

Reawakening isn’t about becoming someone new. It’s about remembering who you were before the worldly noise taught you to doubt and second guess yourself at every turn.

Reawakening is about reigniting the fire that is already in your soul – the afformation questions will poke the embers in the fire of our soul – be ready to set the world on fire! 🔥🔥🔥

Clarity doesn’t come from effort and striving – it comes from permission and courage to seek the wisdom within you – to let it surface up, and emerge from your cocoon – so that you can be transformed into a beautiful butterfly. You are beyond amazing, if only you allow yourself to be.

Question: Why am I being invited to understand myself more deeply before I move on?

Presence is Where God Meets Us

WEEK 2 Theme – Choosing to be Present on a Consistent Basis

We live a noisy and distracted world, so choosing to be present on a consistent basis is a rare skill. We tend to enjoy the badge of honour that comes with being busy or productive. We allow ourselves to drown in doom scrolling as a so-called reward for working hard. We fool ourselves with excuses or justifications – just this once, this can wait, you’re doing enough already… Slowly, our presence erodes, sometimes without us noticing.

Reawaken is not a moment of insight – it’s a daily choice to return. To return to God – to return to ourselves – to return to what actually matters. Being present is an act of resistance in a world addicted to urgency.

Presence is where God meets us – not in the past we regret, or the future we worry about. Stop reminiscing the past, or worrying about the future, but be fully present.

Weekly Intention (Choose One):

Let us start this adventure by choosing presence:

  • Set a daily alarm called, “Choose Presence” – to do one thing fully present, for example, deep breathing, look at the sky, sip your water slowly or eat your food mindfully – do it intentionally, without multitasking, and invite God into the moment
  • Daily Devotional – download a devotional app (YouVersion/Bible, or Ascension) to guide you to read God’s Word and be in His presence
  • Be Still – sit quietly at a place where you will not be disturbed, set a timer for a few minutes and be present in the moment – see yourself with the loving eyes of God – but be kind if you find yourself easily distracted or feeling restless

Weekly Reflection Question:

In the midst of our busyness, let us be intentional about setting time apart to be present – to meet God. He is always knocking at the door of our heart, waiting for us to invite Him in. Even when we turn our backs to Him, He will not stop pursuing us. And especially when we are too busy for Him, He will remind us to seek Him wholeheartedly and to rest in Him.

Question: How can I be more present with God – and with myself?

Awakening deepens through repetition, not intensity.

Wake Up from Distraction and Be Present

Last week, I revamped the CREATE framework from my Intentional Living series. This week, I simplified this framework to just 3 steps – REAWAKEN – RESTORE – RESPOND. I realize that transformation does not happen by doing more, but by paying attention (REAWAKEN), healing deeply (RESTORE), and obeying faithfully (RESPOND).

A new year of 2026 has begun, but many of us are still asleep in our spiritual slumber. The noise and distractions from the world has a way of numbing our spiritual awareness, keeping us in an autopilot of busyness and daily grind.

WEEK 1 Theme – Waking Up From Distraction and Be Present

But before we start the journey, let us reflect back:

  • What were the three biggest distractions last year, that is pulling you away from God’s presence?
  • What are the three things from last year that you are ready to release this year?

Intention Living beings with your ATTENTION.

Weekly Intention (Choose One):

Let us start this adventure by paying attention:

  • Be present and put your phone away when you are with your family and friends, especially during meal times and festive seasons
  • Be bored and look around you – cut down the non-stop social media scrolling and train yourself to be bored – then maybe, just maybe, you will be aware at the strange and beautiful world and people around you
  • Be imaginative – dare to dream again and actively pursue whatever you can imagine, or ask silly questions like a small child and come up with crazy answers for yourself (let’s see how imaginative you can be!)

Weekly Reflection Question:

As we start a new year, let us forgo the New Year’s Resolutions, and lists of annual goals for the year, but take a deep dive on the transformation you want for yourself this year.

As yourself the question: who do you want to become this year? Visualise a “transformed you” at the end of the year – with great clarity, excited emotion and in full detail.

Question: “What is God inviting me to do—and who is He inviting me to become?”

The Costs of Staying Stuck for Another Year (and How to Move Forward)

Happy New Year! Welcome to another new year! A fresh new start. Yet so familiar – have we felt the same last January with this fresh-new-start feeling? However, are we still carrying forward the same doubts, frustrations and unfulfilled dreams from past years?

The Hidden Costs of Staying Stuck:

  • Lack of Peace – your soul longs for purpose but you settle for comfort, making you feel frustrated and restless
  • Delayed Dreams – your dreams are still in the threshold of becoming a reality, being buried year after year
  • Stolen Joy – your joy is incomplete as you realise you’re “settling” in life, staying safe, and not fulfilling your purpose or calling

The Reason We are Stuck:

  • Unhealed Hearts – our hearts continue to harbour past mistakes, failures and traumas
  • Unforgiveness – we can’t forgive others, even ourselves, which hinders us from moving forward
  • Self-Reliance – we rely on our own strength and we want to do things our own way, instead of trusting God

Question: Do you want to stay where you are for another year?

Moving from Stuck to Aligned

This year, I am venturing into a new project – to revamp my Intentional Living Series which I started in 2020 – into a 12-week guided journey, using the CREATE Framework:

  • C – Crossroad: recognise where God is inviting you to pause and pay attention
  • R – Rebuild: allow God to heal and rebuild the foundations of your soul
  • E – Establish: form structures to sustain your restored heart
  • A – Action: step into God aligned action
  • T – Testing: start small with mini-experiments, then go beyond your limits
  • E – Elevate: steward influence and grow with humility and faithfulness

This journey has two parts:

  • Restoration – Crossroad, Rebuild and Establish modules – this come first because God doesn’t release what our hearts aren’t ready to do
  • Calling – Action, Testing and Elevate modules – next comes our divine calling, which comes out naturally from a heart that has been restored and made whole again

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: live with intention – from restoration to aligning with your divine calling.

Stop drifting in frustration and missed opportunities for another year. Know that doing nothing different – not changing – will costs you more than you know.

Question: Are you willing to be allow God to restore your soul so that you can fulfil your divine calling?

Feeling is for Thinking. Thinking is for Action.

While I was reading Daniel Pink’s book, The Power of Regrets, this line struck me and got me thinking:

Feeling is for Thinking. Thinking is for Action.

As the year comes to an end, I can’t help feeling many emotions: joy, gratitude and blessed, as well as disappointment and regrets. What he said first – feeling is for thinking – made me reflect on my feelings and what they mean to me. Then he said – thinking is for action – inspires me to step into the new year with boldness and courage.

Feeling: What surfaced This Year Matters

Year-end feelings are not distractions to be skimmed over, they reveal true indicators of our past year. They point to what we have valued this year, and what we are grateful for this year. Where there are regrets for the year, it points to what has continued to stir in our hearts.

Search me, O God, and know my heart – Psalm 139:23

Thinking: Reflection turns Feeling into Wisdom

Feelings are fleeting and not always dependable, yet they are useful for reflection and insight. Sitting with our feelings makes us pause for self-reflection, which will lead us to better thinking, insight and wisdom.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom – Psalm 90:12

Action: Obedience is the bridge to the Next Chapter

The end of a year leads to the beginning of a new year, just like closing one door and opening a new door. A time to let go of the year that is ending, and embrace a new year – with the alignment of the heart for faithful obedience to God. To say “Yes!” to God. To make the decision that has been delayed long enough. To take action with renewed courage. To setup systems in place rather than rely on my willpower or discipline. To trust in God’s plan for me.

Do not merely listen to the word… Do what it says – James 1:22

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you: sit with your feelings, reflect on them to lead you to your thinking, then let your thinking lead you to your action. Because when reflection turns into obedience, regret turns into redemption – a new chapter and a new year begins.

From Regret to Redemption

I just finished Daniel Pink’s book, “The Power of Regret – How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward”. He identified four types of regrets – what it sounds like and the human needs it reveals:

Type of Regret What it sounds like The Human Needs it Reveals
Foundation If only I’d done the work Stability
Boldness If only I’d taken the risk Growth
Moral If only I’d done the right thing Goodness
Connection If only I’d reached out Love

A solid foundation. A little boldness. Basic morality. Meaningful connection. The negative emotion of regret reveals the positive path of living – Daniel Pink, The Power of Regret.

As much as we would like to live a life without regrets, we realize that it is impossible – from the small regret of eating the extra slice of cake to major regret of ruining a marriage or business.

However, regret is not failure. Often, God uses regret as a turning point:

  • Peter deeply regretted denying Jesus three times. In return, Jesus asked him three times, “Do you love me?”. Then Jesus built the foundation of His church with Peter.
  • Moses spent 40 years regretting a rash decision that caused him to flee to the desert. Yet God prepared him as a shepherd so that he could lead a nation out of Egypt.
  • Paul carried the weight of persecuting Christians, until God appeared and spoke to him, “Why are you persecuting me?”. This transformed him to become one of the most powerful apostle to spread the Good News to many pagan nations.

God has a long history of redeeming regrets. He used our past regrets to become wisdom and conviction to move us forward in a way that no other way could. God had used all my regrets for His purpose, and redeemed me in His love, grace and hope. Looking back, there was no other way God could have convicted me from my stubborn heart, except through the pain and sorrow of regret. What I had regretted – revealed to me what I truly valued.

For all of us still wallowing in the “If Only” Regrets, God is calling us to His redemption of grace and hope, to lead us to our salvation.

My Invitation

This is my invitation to you today: to seek God’s redemption for your regrets.