I realised that throughout my working career, I've always studied while working. I've taken Chinese classes, completed the Children Ministry Training Programme certification, studied a year of Biblical Greek, completed my professional certification (Chartered Institute of Management Accounts), completed my Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Anti-Money Laundering and now doing my degree in Theology, Ministry and Missions. 

My colleagues are puzzled when I say I'm doing my degree. The first expression would be, "You don't have a degree? I thought you are a graduate?" and the next question will always be "What degree are you doing?" and because I know the reaction I will get when I tell them what degree I'm doing, often times I try not to mention it and tell them "Yeah, I'm doing another degree. I love studying." Not that I really love studying in particular but it seems like that answer appeases their curiosity. But for those who do find out what I'm studying, the next questions are almost always, "What course is that?" followed by "Why, do you want to be a priest/ pastor?"

So why am I doing Bible College? Well, it's something I have wanted to do. I wanted to go off for a year or 2 right after finishing my SPM but it wasn't something that I could do back then. Then I tried finding for opportunities throughout my working life but somehow nothing seemed to work out. And August 2018, about a week before the first week of class while sitting in office, SPTC came to mind and I browse the website. Since I don't know much about SPTC, I thought I'll just drop a "query" to find out about the course which in turn became an interview, a book review submission for admission and here I am today in Year 2! 

God does has His own timing. His own ways. Reading my journal entries, Bible College was one of my prayer items when I was in College. Well, God answer that prayer many years later but He answered that prayer way much better than I expected. I wanted to go overseas and study but God sent UK to Malaysia so that I can still keep my job (yes, financing wise would have been crazy overseas) and still study Theology. I'm amazed and truly humbled that God would give me such an opportunity. What more to study Theology in an environment that values worship and ministry and not just focus on the theology aspect of it. 

I remember end of July 2018 when I got my car (yes, another story of God's amazing-ness) and the number plate was BPP,  I felt that the Lord was telling me to 'Be Prepared'. For what I don't know but I do know that this season of studying Theology is part of that "being prepared". 

And so far, I've been blown away many times over with all the crazy discoveries about God as I dig in Scripture and follow the ancient paths of the Church. Yes, there are days when it challenges what I have believed about God but hasn't that always be the tension of the church? To test everything? So that this faith that I have is 'real'. It's not borrowed, it's not someone else's, it's mine after I struggle and wrestle through it. 

But no, knowledge is not to puff up. It's not to feel good about how much I know about God. Such a pity if all these studying is merely for a certificate or just to have more knowledge. No, studying theology has made me realised how little I know and how much more dependent on God I need to be. I'm glad that the experience has also helped me in my ministry to the OA and the people that God has placed around me. 

Is there more to this? Well, I'm sure there will be. Trust God to take you out of your comfort zone. Blow your mind and leave you breathless. If it's something that I can plan or imagine then it won't be God, it would be me. So for now, it's taking the word - wrestling with it,  drown in the reading materials and struggle with the assignments but it will be worth it! 

Waymaker

Miracle Worker

Promise Keeper

Light in the darkness

My God

That is who You are

Even when I can't feel it, You're working

You never stop, You never stop working