27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Hab 1:2-3;2:2-4
2 Tim 1:6-8,13-14
Lk 17:5-10
Fan into flame the gift that God gave you.
I am in the midst of my Masters in Counselling, with another seven months to go. I should be excited about this next stage of my life. Yet in all honesty, I feel uncertain about where this is leading. The path to being a counsellor feels like an uphill climb.
Still, I know God has called me here and entrusted me with gifts — my time, compassion, lived experiences, my listening heart, and, by His grace, the opportunity for these last four years of training. At times, the flame feels small or fragile, especially when I consider the cost and uncertainty of the path ahead. But Paul reminds us: don’t let the flame die down—fan it into fire. I may not know exactly where God is leading me, but I can keep learning, practicing, and offering myself faithfully, trusting that He will use these gifts in His time.
God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control.
My feelings of self-doubt are real. While I have no shortage of clients now in practicum, what will happen when I graduate? Should I start my own practice? Should I volunteer in a social setting? And, even beyond graduation, the learning never ends—there are so many modalities that require further training. The financial and professional weight of these decisions feels heavy, and fear often creeps in: Will this be worth it? Am I in the right place?
Yet, the Spirit reminds me that He has given me power, love, and self-control. Power — the courage to step into the unknown, even when the way ahead feels unclear. Love — the heart to journey with others in their pain, which is the very foundation of my counselling work. And self-control — the discipline to persevere when I feel overwhelmed, and the steadiness to anchor myself in God’s promises instead of spiralling into fear. This is exactly what I need at this stage of my journey — not a clear map of the future, but the Spirit equipping me, step by step.
…never to be ashamed … but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News…
The Counselling profession does not only require knowledge and skill; it demands emotional resilience, empathy, and the willingness to sit with pain. It is costly — not just financially, but spiritually and emotionally. Yet, there is encouragement here. Paul invites Timothy not to run from hardship, but to see it as sharing in Christ’s ministry. In the same way, I am reminded that my studies, practicum, and future journey as a counsellor, though tiring and uncertain, are part of God’s ministry of healing and reconciliation.
Keep as your pattern the sound teaching… You have been trusted to look after something precious; guard it...
As I reflect further, I see that God has entrusted me with something precious — not just psychological theories, but the deeper truth of His love, wisdom, and compassion. This is the deposit I must treasure and guard.
Brothers and sisters, whatever path God has called you to — and however hard or uncertain it may be — do not give up. You too, have been entrusted with a precious gift. Treasure it and guard it with faith and love in Christ Jesus. And when doubts and discouragement arise, remember — the flame may flicker, but by the Spirit, it can burn brightly again.
(Today’s OXYGEN by Geraldine Nah)
Prayer: Lord, when doubts creep in and the path ahead feels hidden, help me cling to You. In Your love and faithfulness, sustain me and guide me along the way You have already prepared. Teach me to treasure the precious gift You have entrusted to me, and grant me the grace to use it for Your glory.
Thanksgiving: Father, thank You for trusting me with what is so precious. Though I feel unworthy, in You may this gift be multiplied and bear fruit for Your Kingdom.
OXYGEN 
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