Preparing for the Garden

This series of writing is a testimony to how God has spoken to me multiple times in a short 2 hour span. I was blessed enough to be able to write this, upon His prompting. Pray that this series will also be a blessing to you, as it is to me!

Preparing for the Garden

There is a specific kind of quiet you can only find in Singapore on a weekday morning if you look for it. Having some time off recently, I found myself at a crossroads—spiritually and professionally. I was about to embark on a new work season, and the weight of that transition felt significant. Inspired by a brother in Christ who was also embarking a massive "pilgrimage" trip across thousands of kilometers, I decided to embark on a much smaller, but no less intentional, walk of my own.

I decided to revisit a spot I hadn't seen since my university days. It was a nearby place where I had previously went only just once! Yet it never left my memories since then. Back then, I was a student with a whim; today, I was returning as a man with a family and a career, asking the same God: “What’s next?”

As I drove toward the trail, a massive jam threatened to derail my morning. But strangely, the path leading to the carpark was completely clear. It felt like an invitation. Right at the entrance, I saw a familiar face—an acquaintance I deeply admire—walking with his wife. We exchanged greetings and I moved on, but the encounter stayed with me.

Faces at each milestone

God has a way of planting familiar faces at key junctures. It was a conviction right at the start: "you aren’t doing this alone. I will place people at the appropriate moments.” It gave me the audacity to challenge God right then: Side Story 3

In true Singaporean fashion, every journey starts with food. For me, it was 2 simple pratas and a teh tarik. 

The Garden of Heaven

I had tried to find this specific spot a few months ago with some brothers, but we failed. This time, I came prepared—research done, cap on, heart ready.

When I finally reached the spot, it was exactly as I remembered. To enter, you have to navigate a small, rocky path that acts as a threshold. The sunlight was hitting the stones in a way that forced me to watch my footing—a silent reminder to be present before entering what felt like a "garden of heaven."

The view was a vast, open chasm of nature. In the middle of the sweltering heat, I saw a couple taking pre-wedding photos. They had hiked 15 minutes over rocky terrain with all their gear and outfits just for the shot. I couldn't help but admire them.

Side Story: The Partner's Path It hit me that life’s journey with a spouse starts exactly like that. It’s hot, it’s rocky, and you’re carrying a lot of equipment. But at that time, your partner and yourself were faced with a "lets build our lives together" attitude. Am I having such an attitude even now still? Or I've lost my passion for meeting unknown challengers together?

The Dead End

I pushed further, hoping to explore parts of the quarry I had skipped years ago. But I was met with cordons and signs. The trail had changed; the end of the quarry was now reserved only for mountain bikers. I had to u-turn.

At first, it felt like a wasted effort, but then the realization landed: Sometimes, we go back to an old spot thinking there is "more" to find, only to realize that part of our life is simply complete.

The "No Entry" sign wasn't a rejection; it was a release. It was God saying, "You’ve seen what you needed to see here. This chapter is closed. It’s time to move on, visit new spots, and discover where I am prompting you now."

To hear that voice, though, you have to have your heart open—even when the path you expected to take is closed.

Bible Passages

Matthew 28:19

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Genesis 12:1

The Lord said to Abram:

Go from your land,

your relatives,

and your father’s house

to the land that I will show you.

Takeaway Questions: 

The Milestone Face: Who has God placed at your current "milestone" (new job, new baby, mid-life) that you might be overlooking?

The Dead End: Are you trying to find "more" in an old season of life that God has already cordoned off? What would it look like to "U-turn" with peace instead of frustration?

Part 2: The Rocky Focus ahead..