Introduction: The Days seem Shorter
Don’t you also feel that time seems to past way faster these days? (Well I certainly have felt that!) Probably a psychological effect of doing more right now, than 1 or 2 years back during the lockdown of Covid-19.
Are We There Yet? : Starts and Ends
I came from a background of entrepreneurship, so with most things I have a vested interest in, I’d start to generate ideas and dream of the ‘What Ifs’ from an entrepreneurial point-of-view. So some where between November and December 2021 the gears within me began shifting. I began to explore business building opportunities with several friends. Having been in business before, I some what knew the basics, yet after 10 years those basics were almost obsolete. (Tell me about it right?!) Much has changed in the business building landscape, the principles the same, the methods changed. After several weeks of intense exploration (working round the clock), experimentations and humbling conversations – I shelved the idea of business building. I put into words here quite succinctly, but what I felt then took weeks to reflect, recollect and recover. I did not receive any income for those months of work, which I was prepared for, more than that I was mentally and emotionally spent! As a husband and father, I felt the crushing pressure of providing for my family weighing heavily upon me. I just broke down. I thank God for my coach, mentors and counsellor journeying with me, they were God’s tangible felt voice, ears and arms of love when I needed it the most.
Are We There Yet? : The Ledge of the Mountain
I truly believe nothings escapes God, if only we are to be yielded and obedient, we then are able to sense and interpret better his voice and direction for our lives.
The first 2 weeks of December 2021 were the last legs of prayer and fasting of the year. They were the hardest of the 4! In those 2 weeks, God began to humble me. Little did I know, what would come next required me to go face flat on the floor without any former thing to hold on to. They were 2 weeks of preparation for the 2 months of consecration that came next.
For the first time in 15 years of working, I did not have any income for 2 whole months (If you’re a husband or father, you’d start to churn out the list of bills and emotions that come with it). Yet, I was completely at peace. For real. My joy in the Lord was intact. My family was still provided for. Remember those 2 weeks of prayer and fasting? That, prepared me. God, prepared me. What the Lord needed to teach, discipline and correct me – I went face flat on the floor and allowed my faith to be re-built and re-established. It was strangely a beautiful time. I must say too, that the Lord granted me and my wife the wisdom many months prior to set up our Emergency Buffer Fund of 3 to 6 months of salary in savings should any such situation warrants us to need it. And we needed it this time! Rainy days do come – so exercise self control, have a budget (that you actually follow) and start the discipline of saving!
At face value, was it easy – no. I had a growing family. Seaw Chin was also on her on personal journey of rebuilding her career too. Christmas and Chinese New Year, the 2 heavy weights of mindless money mongering came. Oh yes, then came the ‘Back to School’ expenses as well, when school reopened in January 2022. But in all of this, nothing stole my joy nor my peace. Yet certainly with each day passing by, the foremost question of ‘When will I get an income again?’ grew louder. I sensed I needed to keep myself submitted to the Lord, being ever so patient, until I discerned breakthrough was on the way, so that was what I did. Not easy at all, but possible as with my experience.
Are We There Yet? : It’s Time to Move
And soon enough it came! The reward of patience and perseverance in God. In the last few weeks of those 2 months, I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to go out and meet with former business friends. Many of whom I have kept in touch, but not met in person 10 years over! Simply to gauge how the business landscape was at the moment, and what are they preparing themselves for in the next few months to come. The exercise was invaluable. Rekindling those friendships and beyond that, being ‘tutored’ by these who have their hands on the plow to share their experiences, forecasts, fears and advice. What in hindsight I should have done prior. Nevertheless, the timing was spot on. God never misses his cue!
Finally, in mid February it was time to move! I was offered a role at an industry which I had never given any thought before. Book distribution. (Never in my wildest and boldest of ambitions have considered this). In mid November 2021, my wife was asked casually by her school’s book supplier while having coffee, if she would know of any one who’d be interested in a job to learn, be mentored and if it works out well – potentially succeed after him, the owner of the company. (This company distributes books presently to private and international schools primarily around Klang Valley, as well as having a flagship bookshop at the heart of PJ and at several schools; and several online retail portals). At that time, she likewise casually mentioned as well, that perhaps her husband, that’s me, (sorry pretty obvious but oddly satisfying to say) might be interested. Yet with what God was leading me through then, we kept that invitation for coffee reserved for another day. And maybe never in all honesty. Just seemed too far fetch. But, that day did finally come. Just before Chinese New Year in 2022, I met the owner of this company to have a casual conversation at his office. Personally I prepared myself not expecting anything, simply because I was very yielded before God. If this was from him, I just wanted him to show up and lead me. As the conversation went along, I could sense it was Holy Spirit led to say the least. The owner was intrigued by my life story (aka testimony), what made me go through such seasons in life all to find myself here and my willingness to learn. It some how led to a point of him asking what figure (salary) I have in mind should I be employed by the company. I sensed in that very moment the Holy Spirit nudging me – be honest, the kind of honesty that would make you a fool in the corporate world. I sensed it was to let him know what was my last drawn salary from church (with a tinge of regret) but right there and then I could see his countenance changed and with a sign of appreciation he acknowledged and responded that he will consider what will be suitable for me and my family. We scheduled to meet again after the Chinese New Year holidays on the 14th of February (nothing romantic happened), I was offered the role of Operations Manager with a pleasant increment and a proposal of a prospectful future ahead. Here’s where I have been working at for the past 6 months till today as their Operations Manager. The learning though steep and very humbling, has also seen many days of God’s incredible favour with – colleagues, vendors and now this boss of mine. Am enjoying the work that I do, the schools I visit and the value I add into those that come my way.
Are We There Yet? : The Church
With the bivocational ministry the Lord has led me too of house church planting, preaching engagements, personal discipleship, mentoring of younger pastors and leaders, coaching and counselling – I am getting more engaged. In September as well, I will be assisting my mentor Ps Benny Ho with Faith Community Church’s – Online Campus as their Connect Group leader for the Malaysia+ group. A gathering of several worshippers from Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, China and as far as South Africa. I am constantly ever grateful and in awe that the Lord would consider me to serve Him and His people.
Are We There Yet? : The Future of the Family
As a family, we’re preparing ourselves to make some very important decisions (some of which I’ve mentioned) in the last quarter of this 2022 for what we will invest ourselves with for the next season, possibly 5-10 years worth. We have opened ourselves to even more possibilities (and vulnerabilities) in recent months, simply because we realize (yet again) that God is good and faithful. And that we can trust him COMPLETELY! So we desire to be at his mercy and to believe we can thrive by his grace. To leave him unhindered from directing us according to his plans and purposes for our lives. To promote and prosper us as he wills. So whether it’s giving up our careers, our finances, our possessions, our desires and even perhaps our home here in Malaysia; so that we can be given more, to do more for His Kingdom – we’re all in! So we’re excited to share with you where we’ll arrive at in the next few months to come. The 40 days of prayer and fasting is about to end soon (15th Sept 2022), and I pray by then we as a family will be able to discern with greater clarity what comes next and to trust the Lord with what He will lay before us to embrace.
Conclusion: So Are We There Yet?
David Yong
September 2022
image credit: unsplash.com/@fzeo
