I think as I keep walking this journey with God, I just realise that there is still so much to understand. It's ironic how we know things around us are complicated, yet we still look for the easy way out of everything. And then we ask: "Why can't people/things just be simple?"

So what if we are leaders? Even if we have the authority to speak into people's lives, even if we have empathy and perfect understanding of their situation, even if we have earned their trust and total respect... What gain is there if we spare them of the love that requires much of us?

To burst the damn bubble, there is no shortcut in love. Love suffers long (1 Corinthians 13:4), and it bears, believes, hopes and endures all things (1 Corinthians 13:7). So, we can talk about how much we love people. But think about it, when we tell someone we love them, do they feel that we are patient with them? Do they feel that we are bearing their burdens and issues with them? Do they really know that we believe in them? Do we see hope in them? Are they assured that they are strong enough to last this tough time?

Pastor How once told us that this ministry is grown by love, not people work. If people's problems, burdens, issues in life are seen as work, then people will never grow. Love is the essential factor for growth. Without love, no ministry can grow, let alone pastoral. Without love, E8 would never have grown from 5 to 10, from 10 to 20, and soon from 20 to 40, and to 60. :)

As a leader, what more a CGL, I want to love. I think I'm more excited about bringing God's love to people more than being able to disciple them, pray over them and say something powerful to impact their lives... I believe people are more impacted and touched when they feel God's love, and what more from their leaders. I would rather be known as a caring and approachable friend more than a firm leader. I'd compromise that strong front anytime.

Well that's me. This is something about me that will never change when I rise up and grow from a leader of 20 to a leader of 60, or when I get promoted from CGL to SCGL or ZM... Regardless of number or title, I will always be who I am. I never want to be too 'leader-ish' that people dare not be too honest and transparent with me about their lives. I never want to be distant from people I'm leading, in fact, I want to be so close to them and be able to connect them to God and pastors too.

Besides, I remember how it was pastors who loved us first before they spoke into our lives. If pastors did that, how different can it be for us?

Relationships. That's what is still all about, isn't it? Even with God it is. What else can it be with people?

Yes, life isn't that simple, but love is. Why do people chase after the oh-so-powerful gifts and mysteries, when the greatest gift of love is something all of us can possess and pass on regardless of spiritual level?

Love. It's the greatest thing you can ever do.

God is Love. It's the greatest relationship you can ever have.