“One step at a time, do as you see fit!” is a motto I trust in my faith journey, and that has helped me break through many predicaments of worry and timidity. In the cold British winter, my driving ability that had been frozen for more than 20 years was “thawed”, so I can only rely on God more; but I am grateful that He has sent many angels to help me. In early February I embarked on a long trip, driving from Manchester to Reading, to enjoy time together with my family over the Chinese New Year. For me, this was a breakthrough as well as a valuable experience: driving from a complicated urban route to a high-speed motorway, passing numerous roundabouts. Whenever I made a wrong turn, it would take me quite a while to get back to the intended route; and every section of the journey was new to me.
Looking back on my early days in the UK, I was always in similar situations: every step was new, and I had to make multiple turns at “roundabouts” to get out. From time to time, I needed to change direction to get back on track. At times I had to slow down (in the 20 mph zone), only to gear up again at no time! Whenever I was driving at high speed, caught in a downpour in a dark night, I was particularly stressed out in body, mind and soul.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens; a time to go fast, and a time to go slow. In this we learn to see that God has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Yes, sometimes we cannot understand: “Why are the days like this?!” Yet we are grateful that we have faith and the promise of “Immanuel” — that “God is with us” on our life journey! At this moment, we may be at different stages of our life journey; driving slowly or at high speed, making circles at a roundabout or stopping in a service station to regain our strength to get back on the road!
From this road trip, I realised the need for “companions”. Before departing for Reading, I picked up my daughter from her university, and made our return journey as a family of four. Although driving stressed me out, but having someone by my side made me feel secure physically and mentally. Besides, God had given them the peace of mind and courage to ride in my car!
“A person can go fast, but a group of people can go further.” The Lord Jesus calls us in this way, building us up to become members of each other, and walking the path of the Kingdom of Heaven together in the church. Before I left for the UK, God’s messenger had shown me many times that I would be going to establish a men’s peer group. God paved the way for me and prepared some brothers to work with me in the preparations. I also saw the dedication of members in our new group called “Men’s Romance”, and for this I praise God for His mighty guidance! God will “thaw” our indwelled but stronger abilities, rekindle our dreams, all for our mission to dedicate our lives to the Lord!
Thanks God for allowing me to get to know you all in MAC and making me feel accepted and cared for! I pray that the Lord will give me the opportunity to walk and partner with you on the road to heaven. You are most welcome to take the initiative in contacting me, because I am a relatively reserved person.
I have already scheduled another road trip in early April and mid-May! May the Lord use me — a person with mediocre driving abilities!
Rev Alex Yip