Fes NC18: Mission 4

Equipping: Workshops on Food Wastage, Travelling, Social Media, Online Shopping, Coffee, and Fashion, offering a biblical perspective and practical suggestions pertaining to common lifestyle habits and behaviour.

Planning a ‘travel package’ that reflects our consideration for the world and the local community

TRAVELLING

What spurs us to travel as a hobby? Unsurprisingly, our main motivation lies in the desire to heartily enjoy ourselves and run away from our stress and responsibilities. Yet, do we see God amid our vacation plans as we travel; or do we simply leave God behind in Singapore along with the other things we’re escaping from?

I realised we often prioritise our own interests when we travel instead of submitting our plans to God. We travel without situating God in the centre of all we see and do. Consequently, a vacation abroad becomes a vacation away from God. The speaker reminded us of how often we trust in our own plans. Such worldly self-confidence makes us believe that we can be independent from God when in fact we are helpless on our own. However, Proverbs 27:1 tells us “Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring.” It really humbled me and reminded me that we need to be dependent on God and submit everything to Him.

God is our travelling companion and our map: He gives us directions that keep us from getting lost and opens our hearts to things we otherwise would not see. We should travel with a spirit of worship as God’s glory is displayed through all of creation. We also honour God by praying for His people and seeking Him in each place He sends us to.

Written by Azalea Wu, NUS VCF for Perspective October/November 2018 (FES newsletter)

What problems are caused when we waste food?

ONLINE SHOPPING

With a simple click, you can purchase a wide array of things online at low costs without being aware of the hidden costs. Online shopping aggravates environmental problems in terms of plastic packaging wastes and carbon footprint from deliveries. What are we lacking that we constantly seek to possess more and allow consumerism to become pervasive in our lives? 

I reflected on my motivations when I make unnecessary purchases. Does excessive gratification in material goods encourage spiritual poverty, since it leads to over-dependence on things apart from God? The conclusion was to adjust our hearts, surrendering to God, befor adjusting our actions. The workshop facilitators also shared some practical tips like tracking our spending habits, evaluating if we truly need an item, and swapping things with people. While these are useful ways to curb an online shopping addiction, I still have to say: old habits die hard. If you can relate, let’s continue praying for renewal in our hearts and actions – to be loyal servants of God, not of His things.