Sovereign God in Uncertain Times
The theme for the IFES East Asia Graduates’ Conference (EAGC) 2025 was “Sovereign God in Uncertain Times”, which resonates well with my transition to working life. Being a fresh graduate from university and entering the workforce, there are many uncertainties ahead which I want to seek answers to. I also enjoy conversations with fellow believers from other nations, where I can hear their perspectives and understand more about their society. Thus, I signed up for this conference to consider what being a Christian graduate is like in Singapore and how it differs from the region.
EAGC 2025, which was held in Tagaytay, Philippines, from 7 to 11 August, focused on Bible expositions on Esther, where we learned about how she used her position as a queen to help the Jews. Despite God not once being mentioned in the book, we could see how God was orchestrating His sovereign plan through a person of lowly background. I was deeply impacted by how God can use anyone, regardless of our role, to shine for Him, while being a blessing to others. We should not compare our positions with others but instead focus on doing well in our calling.
However, this is not easy to grasp, especially for those for whom work is a burden. If we do not have the right understanding of work, it could lead to pain and unfulfillment. I enjoyed the plenary by Dr Tan Soo Inn, who shared about how work can also be a form of worship to God as we discover our mission there. We should be obedient in our calling, stewarding what God has provided and utilising them for our environment accordingly. Therefore, it is important to constantly seek growth by learning from seniors who came before us.
Small group discussions (Yi Jin is first from left)
This conference reaffirmed that adapting to adulthood is not a lonely path. Although there are many burdens that I must now carry, unlike my student days, I am encouraged to entrust myself to God more and let His plan encompass my life. Understanding this, we will not be stranded in this never-ending hustling culture but instead deeply appreciate what we have as a form of God’s blessing. However, I should also be cautious with how to use my resources accordingly so that nothing is wasted. An example is financial management, where I should divide it properly and ensure that it continues to support others while being self-sufficient.
As a social worker, my mission is to serve the students in the school. Due to the societal label against those with special needs, these students may miss out on opportunities that would allow them to reach their potential. Through my job, I can reach out to them by showing encouragement for them to reach their goals. I can also seek resources to better support them. After all, these students also have a place in society, and they should not be isolated. Through such opportunities, I feel that I can contribute to making society more accepting and inclusive for everyone, regardless of their limitations.
Ho Yi Jin graduated from SUSS in 2025 and is currently working as a social worker.
