The setting of this episode is a rather chilly Sunday evening where I am wearing jumpers and thermals in my hostel room – a first, but not the last for me as the year closes with increasingly colder weather.
In order to brace myself for it, I went to Primark @ Oxford Street on Saturday afternoon with Charing and Elva after our second round of yum cha. I came out with GBP52 worth of warm clothes and a pair of simple brown loafers. It was retail therapy when I needed it.. :)
I crossed the first month of my time at the University this week. I started school on 17th September 2007. Here are my thoughts and reflections:
(1) Support in school: I must say that I am beginning to feel the pressures of the course. Each week whizzes by quite quickly with preparation for the next day and soon, I am at the end of the week. But, the preparation still needs to carry on for the coming week. There is hardly time to consolidate and revise what was taught. Indeed, it is akin to a fast-moving steam train on a long journey without any break points.
I believe my other colleagues on the course are feeling it as well. Hence, there is a need for support from other colleagues because I believe that only LPC students can understand fellow LPC students – like a lawyer or a doctor would understand how another lawyer or doctor feels in his/her practice of the profession. I am glad to say that I have found some form of support within the course and it is always something to look forward to each day in school. I thank the LORD for providing these wonderful people – people who make school forthcoming.
(2) The need for Christian support: However, as a Christian, support from fellow colleagues in school is not enough. I also need a group/place to address my spiritual needs. This brings me to my first session at SWOT (Study the Word Of Truth) on Wednesday evening. This is a Bible-study session under the umbrella of All Souls Church for students whose English is their first language and it was held at All Souls’ “sister” church, St Paul’s at Robert Adam Street, about 10 minutes walk from Bond Street Station. I decided to attend SWOT after 2 weeks of deliberation and an internal conviction that I needed some form of Christian support.
The session opened with a short 10-minute worship session (which had a piano that I really wanted to run my fingers over). This was followed by a short 5-minute talk that was somewhat evangelical in nature. We then had dinner at GBP2 and Bible study thereafter. I was put in SWOT 3 – which was for final-year university students and postgraduates (like myself). In SWOT 3, one is also been trained to lead Bible Study Sessions.
Now, I must say that I felt at home throughout the whole session and provided some constructive insights into the study of 2 Timothy 2:1-13. I cannot explain what got over me that night, but these insights simply flowed – something that only the Holy Spirit can do. Hallelujah, thanks be to God!
I went away from the session feeling less burdened and refreshed. I am pleased with the positive outcome and will definitely make this a regular affair each week, whenever and wherever possible. I also believe this is a place where I can contribute in both my skills as a pianist and experiences as I contribute to the Bible-study sessions and to take up some sessions as well.
(3) The need to consolidate: With the feelings in (1), I am convinced that there is a need to have break points and sit back to reflect on what had been taught. So, I will dedicate a certain amount of time during the week, maybe a Friday (where I have no school) to revise the material of the past weeks.
But, how do I go about the revision? Well, it is no longer the substantive law that I am studying now, but rather the application of the law. Therefore, my approach has to be different from my undergraduate days. One idea that was impressed on me was to put yourself in the shoes of the client who is coming to his/her solicitor for inter alia, advice as to a purchase/sale of a piece of property, to file a claim in court or to start a business. If I revise with that in mind, I think studying or learning will be more enjoyable. Indeed, the law comes alive when it is applied by those seeking to rely on it.
(4) Uncertainties: I do accept that there are uncertainties as to what will happen after my LPC next July. Questions of whether I – like many of my colleagues in the course – will be able to secure a training contract and what if I am unable to. Does that mean I am not cut out to be a lawyer? As a Christian, I believe I am at peace, the peace of Christ.
I trust that as the LORD – as He has provided the unusual and ways of getting me here and equipping me (e.g. this laptop I update this blog from) – I am certain He will provide – at the opportune moment. But, that does not mean I rest on my laurels and be laissez-faire about it. I still have do to my part (ie craft my CV, attend classes and perhaps, also decide what kind of lawyer I want to be). The peace of Christ that surpasses all understanding will keep me going on the steam-train journey.
All in all, I pray for creative inspirations for fresh perspectives on all that I going to do here in London, from the crafting of my CV to leading Bible study sessions to the revision of my law studies.
Lastly, I feel renewed to go through the coming weeks after today’s Communion Service at All Souls – the “icing on the cake” for all that has happened this week.
To all my friends back home (and others) who are reading this blog, my prayer is that you will be encouraged by the contents and that amidst the storms of life and whatever the world tells you, hold on to Christ and take heart. Indeed, the Lord Jesus, in Matthew 11:28-30 said:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Praise to the LORD, the Almighty, the King of creation!
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