Full-Time

I am a full-time person in almost every way. I work full-time. When I studied in the academia, I studied full-time. Never part time in anything, whether in ministry or theological study. I can't see it any other way. Full time which you are totally committed to one thing at a time. Not divided either in ministry or study. Even when I wrote my books, it is all full-time. My books were all written when I was out of active ministry, waiting for my next appointment. While waiting, I am unpaid and everything is by faith, writing, publishing, printing my books all out of my own pocket, no sponsors and no benefactors. I received a couple of monetary gifts during my 30th anniversary thanksgiving service in full-time ministry.

I talked with my good friend yesterday about reducing the cost of my book from RM50 to RM40 as the target audience are rural folks and even those working in towns and cities are low wage earners who are barely surviving with their salaries. I have never given discount for my books because I know the "brand" and the value or quality of my books. All are written through sweat and tears and in midst of sufferings as if tested in the crucible by fire. 

I am not an ivory tower scholars and sit in air-conditioned libraries. I think I must have visited one library for my John's commentary and another time for my Song of Songs' commentary for references and that's about all. I studied full-time for a total of 11 years for my four tertiary qualifications. 

I spent three years and eight months waiting for my various appointments in my ministry that it was during those times of waiting I wrote a total 6 books. The Galatians' commentary took nine months of full-time writing. The Song of Songs took several lockdowns and then due to vaccination requirements I had to resign and it took another three months full-time to revise the concise commentary. It was all full-time. 

Now I am serving full-time again in a church. My mind was fully occupied on the job (being a church pastor) since I accepted the call to serve in this one small congregation at the outskirt of Kota Kinabalu in the district of Penampang. But it is full time job. I spent five days preparing one sermon revising it, reading different passages, checking the Greek text of John 1 and tonight I am ready to deliver it in the power of God's Spirit. My life is fully dedicated to God's service full-time. Whether gainfully employed or not, whether I receive a regular salary or not like most mortals do, I serve God full time because He is my provider, my shepherd who has fed me and my family all my life.