In So Many Words
As a Columban lay missionary, I have been living and working in Britain for two years. From the limitation of involvement due to covid-19, until becoming fully immersed in different ministries, I have been blessed with new friends, new challenges, new adventures, new opportunities to learn things. Everything is new, as the Lord said “Behold, I make all things new.”
As Pope Francis encourage us to be people-oriented, I truly enjoy being with people and being surrounded by people, it can be with toddlers or with elderly, intellectually gifted or with intellectual disabilities, asylum seekers or refugees, companions or volunteers. Thy all are a blessing to me! I continue to see God fulfilling His promises to me, as He said: “Everyone who has left hoses, brothers or sisters, father or mother, children or fields because of My name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life.”
The new challenges continue to shape me and mold me to be a better person as the Lord created me to be, more attentive to the need of others, more open to being teachable and flexile, more patient, and becoming a more loving and joyful person.
The new adventures: to be accepting and receptive to what life has thrown at me with an open mind and open heart. For the Lord delights in the cheerful giver, and we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. He continues to unfold the surprises along with the adventures He plans for me.
For the Lord delights in the cheerful giver, and we know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.
New opportunities to learn new things: continuing to learn how to communicate. Good communication needs both listening attentively and responding accordingly. Learning to say no without feeling bad, learning to set boundaries and respecting the boundaries of others, learning to seek assistance and ask for help when I need help, learning to be a good team player as my ministries all interact with people. As the Lord reminds me: You are called to serve not to be served.
As a Columban lay missionary, I learn more about myself. Saint Teresa of Calcutta said: “Self-knowledge puts us on our knees; this is very necessary for love. For knowledge of God gives love; knowledge of self gives humility.” How well do I know myself, my strengths and weaknesses, my inner drives and the hidden motives of my heart? By examining my conscience and with the help of the Holy Spirit I come to understand a little of the desires and compulsions of my heart. This self-knowledge is the truth that sets me free because it leads not to despair and self-loathing, like Judas, but the joy of turning back to God, like Peter.
Columban lay missionary Teresa Chuah Hui Ling lives and works in Britain.