ENCOURAGED TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS

By Luke Roy Tan

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV)

My business and income were greatly affected in 2020 due to COVID-19. Initially, I felt anxious and afraid but I decided not to give in. Turning to God, He helped me put my hope in Him rather than in the things of this world.

Looking back on hindsight, I can see God had prepared me even before the pandemic.

I faced a lot of uncertainty when I could not continue as a driver, a role I took on in November 2019 before the pandemic hit. It was only when COVID-19 surfaced in Singapore in January 2020 did I realise this was God’s plan to stop me from chalking up “vehicle rental” costs which I would not have been able to keep up. My business depended on overseas travellers and was badly impacted. My income dropped drastically.

It is still a challenge now to make a living but I thank God I was eligible for the government grants to supplement my reduced income. Some opportunities also opened for contract part-time work in another industry.

Since I have experienced God’s blessings, should I just receive and not give? I know God has plans for me. I know God gave me CCsg Limousine Ministry for a reason. God’s heart is in this ministry too.

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35 (NIV)

I may have no monetary resources to offer, but I reckoned I have other resources to give - the time and talent that God has gifted me!

A weekly CCsg Limousine fellowship

My immediate focus was to stay connected with the ministry members as many had lost direction and were in despair. They needed encouragement and friendship during this dark time.

My ministry committee members and I stayed in contact with them, helped solve their problems and prayed for them over the phone or in person. We also meet via Zoom every Saturday at 8 a.m. and are still meeting today.

We trust fully in God because He constantly sent people who needed encouragement to us. I know He has plans for this ministry. All we need to do is to be ready to be used by Him.

L-R Gary Cheng, Peter Lee, Luke Roy Tan

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV)

Though we have technology at our disposal, I feel virtual meetings can never replace physical meetings. We have started meeting physically in small groups and I am amazed how God continues to send people who need Him my way so I can encourage and befriend them.

God uses broken people like you and me to rescue broken people like you and me. Let us continue to serve God with a ready heart!