Faith Story by Amilia Alcantra
I’ve been the Sales Manager for SM Healthcare since 2009; 13 years and counting. I consider myself to be adventurous, young at heart, and not afraid to speak my mind (which not always a good thing if I may add!) Privileged to be one of the pioneers in SM Health Care, I was so naïve then. I was oblivious of the medical industry, zero knowledge of the medical field. I only had a little faith. But, with lots of grace and favour, by pressing in and not giving up, I learned to maneouver sales throughout Sabah. Today SM Healthcare has supplied consumables and equipment to all the hospitals throughout the state.
Over the years of working experience, I’ve learned many things. A few stand out. I can never be the best no matter how hard I try, (there will always be someone better, someone younger, someone smarter, someone faster, someone else can always do a better job. The second important thing I learned is that while I may not always be the best or the finest, if give my all and don’t lose heart, I will better than I was yesterday, both in character and in skill. The dog-eat-dog world is brutal, and it’s real in the marketplace. Nevertheless, I still hold on to the truth that the marketplace is God-designed, hence it is good.
Workplace is where I am stretched the most. I love working, but there are days/seasons when the pressure is so high that I feel like throwing in the towel. The feelings can be very overwhelming, and if I am not careful, anxiety, fear, feelings of incompetence creep in, and I just want to pack my bags and run. Indeed, today as I write, I am in still the season of “Crossing the Rubicon” (a phrase I learn from my Senior Pastor when he preached an awesome sermon during Faith Promise Day). I am not at a crossroad. If I had to choose, there is only one direction to go, and I can’t retreat. I either move forward, or face drowning! So, whenever I burst out in tears because things become a bit too much, I just stop and tell myself, “Ami, just one step, just one step more”
It is during times like these, when my emotions get on top of me, God’s Word saves me. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds me “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. 14 I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes.” The key word here is “look for me wholeheartedly”. We often stop at verse 11 but the Word of God continues to say in vs 13-14 that we need to look for him wholeheartedly. It is then that we will find Him.
There are times when I feel people at the workplace can be so self-centered, so conniving, so immature. Then the still voice inside reminds me of Galatians 6:9, “Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.”
There have been times when I am lost for words; my heart is racing and my mind goes numb, and I just don’t know what to say. The only thing I can do is to pray in the spirit. Then a verse like this comes to mind: – Philippians 4:6-7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Indeed, no matter what the situation, whether I can see it or not, whether I know it or not, GOD is at work, and He does not stop working. He is not done with me yet. My God will provide me what I need – if I need a miracle, then a miracle I will receive. If clarity and wisdom are what I need, clarity and wisdom is what He gives. All I need to do is seek Him with all that I have, wholeheartedly. Man may fail me, money may fail me, everything in this world may fail me, but my God and my Lord will never fail me.
My story is not a “happy” story, but instead, my story is a story of miracles, of breakthroughs and of the impossible being made possible. Work IS good; it is God’s design. Take one step at a time. Cling to God, and don’t let go. Grow your faith and don’t lose heart.
Amilia Alcantra