The Circle of Care

Hello people, once again thanks for visiting this my blog thought i don't update it regularly. This post will be one that i occasionally post when a sudden idea hits my head faster than a chicken can dodge a basketball.
Anyway, here's what I have to say:

Every year when you say you're going to grow spiritually stronger, what do you actually mean?
Pray more?
Read the bible more? (Or once through at least, if you're like me :X)
But my point is, you have to have a form of measure, to see how far you're progressing.
One way of measuring, is definitely by your fruits.

Its commonplace knowledge that fruits come from the complete maturity of seeds.
The thing is, I'm not driving at how many new friends you actually bring to church, rather, I'm coming from the point at where how many seeds have you sown or scattered within the church?

"Its only about a year before we move to Suntec." - Ay

Just because someone is saved doesn't mean he or she doesn't need to receive scattering of seeds from someone else.

Everyone has 24 hours, but how much of it is actually dedicated to impacting someone else's life?

Yes when we first came to church, we'd probably knew a friend or two, one that we've stuck by for quite a while. If one no longer attended church, the other would probably be that final piece of rope you'll cling on to, aside from God(I hope).
So is it too long since you've just had that 10+ or more friends in the cell group?
Yes, friends of quality are important, but isn't it much greater to be able to strengthen the church of Christ by what you do? How can you do that when you don't even have influence over them?

You've stayed in church for the longest time, yet, you only still know the same number friends 5 years ago!

I'm not an advocate for networking, I'm just an advocate to educate.

Building new relationships is vital to strengthening you and expanding your capacity, and by expanding your capacity I mean your 'Circle of Care'.
Why are cell group leaders who they are?
Because they a really really wide circle of care that encompasses not just every single cell group member, but also ministry friends, ZS, Pastors, etc and the list goes on.
They care about what their members are doing, what their peers are doing, and definitely, what their own leaders are doing.

And how does that care start?
It may have just started from a simple conversation about interests or possibly even birthed forth from just being in the particular situation in that particular time.
Never condemn, judge, criticize, complain, disfavor situations where God puts you with people you might dislike.
In fact, the moment you feel uncomfortable, rejoice, because its a time where you're out of your comfort zone.
Just like how Paul says he rejoices in tribulation, choose the joy of the Lord and take the best out of the situation.

The hardest ships to build are relationships yet they are the hardest(or even impossible) to sink if built and maintained well.

If you were just caring about the life of one person last year, challenge yourself this year to care for 2.
If you cared for 3, try 4.
Increase that number and step up your game, its the only way to stay in tip-top condition all the time.
By the time you realise it, you have grown yourself to have the same capactiy as a ZS!

Relationships don't come easy, some are just downright hard(metaphorically and also literally) to start.
But always remember that it is because He first loved us and that is why we love others.
If we love God, we should tend to His sheep.

So before I close, let me give you 3 practical tips on how to care for other people.
They always say, caring is sharing so there are 3 things in which you can share with other people:

1) Share about your Life
You can give a testimony, talk about yourself a little bit, but always give the other party air space to respond.
This is also an effective conversational tool when you've run out of common topics to talk about.
People generally become more open as well if you truly share with them sincerely about your own life story.

2) Share about your Problems
For most Asians, this won't be a real problem.
Sharing with people about your problems will make them feel you are more humane and less 'celestial' or 'angelic/holy'(Wah my leader can serve 10 days without rest!).
Problems connect people in a very special way, especially if they've met with similar problems on their own.
Experience derived from these problems can also be stepping stones that you build for other people to gain success earlier in life.

And lastly, you got to:

3) Share about your Visions/Dreams
People that realize their visions or dreams usually share with it to a whole lot of people.
Martin Luther King realized his dream in his speech 'I have a Dream' even though he was assassinated. Dreams get carried on to the next generation because they are shared.
David's dream of building an awesome house for God was only accomplished during the time of his son Solomon.
You've got to share your visions and dreams in order for them to be established.

Mat 18:19-20
Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

These are just one form of care and concern that you can show for them. Sharing is great but its not just the only way. As long as you remember that above all, you do it out of love, that's most important.
Be awesomely blessed and empowered today, and start expanding that Circle of Care!