PlayMax 4 - My Personal Snippets of God's Grace

PlayMax hungover has officially started. After going through an intense few weeks of practices, not having any more practices makes me feel a little sad and empty. Thankfully, there are so many memories that I could hold dear in my heart. A song that has been going through my head goes "Christ is the change, He is the better reality. Christ Jesus came, He took our place on the cross. For our sins He paid the price, with His death, He bought us life. Life has to change, and it changes with Him"

This song is an original song that was produced by some volunteers in Singapore Youth for Christ for the PlayMax event. And I can't be more happy to share with you a song with really meaningful lyrics and a nice catchy tune.

Several months back, I was in a state of dilemma. Should I or Should I not? Ain't I busy enough? Going for dance practices would pack my already hectic schedule even more. But yet again, I wanted to dance and this time round for a very good purpose. At that point in time, I just received a message from Kimberly (a girl whom I have worked closely with to bring dance into SYFC, Singapore Youth For Christ several years ago). I took a while to pray and finally decided that I would commit to this.

Then, I remembered this must be an answered prayer. Back in January, I prayed that I may be given the chance to dance again. I knew I missed dance ever since exchange and coming back to seeing my hall dance friends preparing for a competition just made me miss it a lot more.

More than that, I continued praying that these dancers that I would meet may be a group of people that could laugh, have fun, be each other's support, and be able to love and serve God together.

God answered. This is a lot clearer on hindsight. But at that time, the temptation to make the choice of not joining a time and energy-demanding commitment was high.

But I can finally say after 2 days, 6 sessions of PlayMax and many days of practices that there were no regrets.

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There are simply too many things to thank God for and several moments touched my heart.

Incident 1:

I made a mistake at the first show of PlayMax. You could say that after performing countless times ever since I was in secondary school, I would be a pretty seasoned performer. And that I would have everything in the grasp of my hands - even that of costume changes especially after countless times of rehearsals before the actual PlayMax day. Yet, it was not so. I wanted to give my all and wanted with all my heart to give nothing but the best to the audience knowing that the dance would be a lead up to the entire story flow of the programme. Yet, it started off with a wardrobe malfunction. During the short time that I had to change costume in the middle of the dance, I did not get to wear the shirt that I intended to wear for the performance. That got me scarred and a little doubtful. "Why didn't God give me the promise of a good performance by allowing me to start it off well?"

Still feeling upset by the performance, I went out during the 10 mins interlude to look for youths to speak to. I decided that no matter how bad I felt, I hope to be able to share a story that I was very passionate about - the story of Jesus. I came across a little girl who was using her handphone playing games and took the opportunity to ask her about the performance and if she enjoyed the game. This girl was a cute little 9 year old and beside her sat a girl named Rina who was 11 years old. When I first approached the girls, they were a little shy. However, the 9 year old managed to tell me she was a christian and Rina told me she was not. In an effort to get them to warm up to me, I asked if they have heard the story of Jesus' birth and attempted to tell the story in the most animated manner I could when I found out that they have not heard of it. After the story, I asked the 9 year old when she accepted Jesus in her heart and she told me "a few months ago" with a little smile. Then I turned to Rina and asked if she would like to receive Jesus in her heart. To my utter surprise, she answered: "I want to but how do I do it?" I could not believe my ears. Instantly, I smiled radiantly and thanked god immediately. Here was a little girl who was ready and this was not what I expected to hear. Upon sharing this message of Jesus to so many people, this is the first time anyone wanted to receive Jesus after I shared. I quickly got her to pray a little sinner's prayer with me and continued to pray for her ever since.

I understood instantly what God wanted me to remember - that nothing that I can ever do wrong could interfere with His purpose and will for the people that came to PlayMax. This encouraging response was nothing of my ability but the Lord's doing and all I did was to be faithful and obedient to God to share what I could.

Incident 2:

This was at the 3rd session of the first day of PlayMax. At this point, I was rather tired by shifting from duty to duty. Yet, I still wanted to share the great news of Jesus and knowing that this group is older, I knew that I would want to be a little more personal in how God was real to me. I walked around and managed to chance upon a group of friends. Once again, I shared very candidly how God worked in my life and some testimonies I have in the past. This gave the group host (who brought her friends) courage to share candidly about how God was real in her life too. At the end, I asked the girl who sat beside me if she felt that the experience at Playmax was heartwarming. And she said: "Yes, especially that of your sharing". And I thought that besides Rina who said she wanted to accept Christ, this was the next best thing I have heard in the day - knowing that my life could encourage another young person.

Incident 3:

The dance portrays a battle scene between the regime and the characters. In a part of the dance, I play the role of a character and part of the costume is my signature cape. I have been very careful in trying to successfully put on the cape and by the 6th session of PlayMax, the button was too lose and halfway through the dance, the cape fell.

I was extremely thankful for the peace God gave me and handled it with as much tact as possible and as if God knew I needed some help, a dance mate's hand reached over in a matter of seconds to help take the cape backstage with as little disturbance as possible.

The show continued to run well. I was surprised when a few came to me to tell me that the problem of the cape was handled well. It is really a  #ThankGod moment.

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These responses and little miracles, I take no credit for I knew they were glimpses of God's grace shown to me - that if I were willing to be obedient to Him, He will give me joy and even rewards that are so unexpected - I could have gotten more discouraging responses but I know that even then, there would be an immense joy that God will give me in my heart.

It was on hindsight that I knew even more clearly why I worked so hard - toiling in the morning at work and toiling hard at night to practise dance. There were days I did not want to go for dance simply because I was too tired. However, God made it easier for me so much so that even the location of my work and PlayMax must have been planned by Him. The many times that I could reach on time for practise was only because the distance between my work place and SAC (where PlayMax is) was only 2 stations apart. During every single practise, God never failed, He always gave me strength to continue no matter how tired I was.

But most importantly, because the gospel message got to go out to so many people - I never regretted toiling. I am glad I did not give up. Such toils are worth it simply because Jesus is known.

"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few." -Matthew 9:36-37