Janice Ha
This is it, folks. It is done. I have tendered my resignation. After 7 years, the time for a sabbatical leave has come. Actually, I am already one year late because the Bible did say that on the 7th year (not after 7 years), the land shall be allowed to rest. Well, I have overworked it one extra year.
JANICE on the top left
Questions have been coming in fast and furious since I announced my decision to take time out from work sometime early this year. I have lost track of the exact date and the number of times I was asked the same questions, all coming from different people who were concerned and/or curious. So, I have decided to pen down my thoughts in a Question & Answer format.
Q. Why are you taking a year off?
A. Largely because I am convinced it is the right, biblical thing to do. There are some really good reasons why God commanded His people to rest on the seventh year and to let their lands, vineyards and olive groves lie fallow (Exodus 23:10-11). He is thinking of the poor and wild beasts — the wild crops that grow during this rest period are food for them. He is also thinking of the earth — the soil gets to regain its nutrients naturally. I bet He is also thinking of His people — time off to take a breather so they can evaluate their direction, enjoy the fruits of their labour or to simply trust in obeying His Word. Whatever it is, all the above reasons sounds pretty good to me and am challenged to follow this ancient command. Maybe the world will be a better place for all if everyone followed this command. Imagine the poor (and animals) having food, no ozone depletion and no stressed-out lifeless people on the treadmill of life. Imagine how far the Gospel will go if every Christian took one year off every six years to do volunteer work!
And for some strange, supernatural reason, as if God Himself is affirming my decision, my dad accepted Christ the same day I handed in my resignation letter.
Q. When did you decide to take the sabbatical?
A. About 4 years back, I think. I remember it was sometime near the very start of my present project (most developments take about 2-3 years to complete). I took this project as my “bookmark”. Once it nears the tail-end, I will be free to go without the need to hand-over the job to another — nobody likes to take over someone else’s ‘baby’.
Q. How did you get your boss to grant you such a long leave?
A. When I sounded this out to Mr Wong (my boss), he was really supportive of the idea. He has a heart for charity work and sees my going as a worthy assignment. Much credit goes to God for planting me in a workplace with such an understanding boss where I could grow professionally and pursue my love for missions. I think I am the only person in the office who consistently exhaust all my annual leave of 15 days AND take at least another additional 10 days of no-pay leave every year and still keep my job. Apart from the favour of God, I suppose integrity at work and the many slide-show presentations of my mission trips with my colleagues did pave the way for Mr Wong and the management to give me the ‘green card’ to take as many days leave as I needed so as to do missions work. They know the difference between a holiday and a mission trip. It starts and ends with us being firm in our commitment and priority in life �C to always fear God, to honour Him and to be true to yourself.
Without hesitation, Mr Wong asked me when I will be coming back to work. In many ways I was sorry I could not commit to my return because I really have no idea where God will be leading me to. There is a 50-50 chance I will not return. So to make them wait for me without a solid commitment to come back is not fair to the management. Although he said I am always welcome to return, I told them not to wait for me. Therefore, it is not exactly taking leave — it is more like leaving.
Q. How will you support yourself financially?
A. Good question, because the people of old asked that very same question when God told them to take 1 year off from work. “What shall we eat in the 7th year?” (Leviticus 25:20-22). I suppose every responsible person will ask the same question for we do have commitments, don’t we?
Poor but happy
In return for their obedience, God promises a threefold harvest (harvest enough for 3 years) on the 6th year so they will have enough to tide over the 7th and 8th year while they await the next harvest due at the start of the 9th year (God tells His people to return to plowing their fields on the 8th year). Theoretically, it makes absolute mathematical sense. Well, I did not strike lottery last year or got a pay-rise. In fact, I had a pay-cut. So I was really wondering if God will honour this promise in this time and age. Anyway, I am not waiting for the extra harvest to come in before I obey because I know He will. It is not a matter of ‘if’ but a ‘when’. He is never late. Right now, I will be supporting my parents and myself with my savings. Will it be enough for this one-year period?
Poor but happy
Well, the constant fear of not having enough is the root condition of a poverty-stricken soul! There are many financially poor people with a very prosperous soul �C they are so happy. How can people who have so little be so happy? From them I learnt the truth behind Jesus’ words “..one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” (Luke 12:15). I also remind myself of 2 Corinthians 8:12 everyday — “for if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has and NOT according to what he does not have”. We may not have a million dollars, but we certainly have $10. God is interested in what we do with what we have. Our God can use our $10 to feed the 5,000.
Q. What are you going to do during the sabbatical leave?
A. I will be spending 3 months (July to September 04) in CNL-Philippines and then another 3 months (October to December 04) in CNL-South Asia as an intern to learn from our missionaries and to help out in whatever they give me to do in whatever way I can. My objective is twofold — to be a sponge (to learn) and to be a helper. Come 2005, I am also looking forward to take time to reflect on all that I have seen and experienced, to learn more about God, to be better equipped for His work and to wait on Him for His next move for my life. I may or may not return to my work at the end of the day, it all depends on what He wants and what I hear. I believe things will get clearer as the day approaches. Watch this space for updates!
