Interview with Michael
Aulia
Michael Aulia is the author of WriteforGod.com,
a blog designed to share Christian articles and resources with
others.
He lives in Melbourne, Australia where he is an active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church. In fact it was there where the idea for his blog began, writing sermon summaries for the web each week.
Michael is a single Christian whose hope is that people will encounter Christ's grace and kindness through his blog and he was kind enough to share his thoughts on singleness with me. So here is Michael's perspective on singleness.
CSW: Thanks for so graciously honoring my interview request and taking time to answer a few questions.
Though you’re not new to blogging, please tell my
visitors a little bit
about yourself, why you decided to create a Christian
blog
and how it has blessed
both your life as well as the lives of others.
CSW:
Writing a summary of each week’s sermon to publish on your
church’s
website
requires focus. How
has that enhanced your understanding of
God’s Word?
MA: Honestly, there was a moment a few years ago when I felt that all those sermon summaries I wrote were useless. I only saw a few people reading them and I thought it wasn’t worth the effort. Until God opened my eyes through a couple of people: a stranger on our Guestbook and an old congregation member through our mailing list.
On that week, they mentioned how they were blessed by the sermon summaries and wanted to thank whoever wrote them. Those moments struck me and transformed me. I never complain now when I do little things for God because I knew at that time, God spoke to me directly that whatever you do for Him, is never in vain (1 Cor 15:58).
MA: Even though I’m still single at the moment, I've learned a lot from those sermons. I learned that it takes great effort to maintain a good relationship and to nourish love. I learned that love is not about a feeling but a true commitment. I was also taught how to be a good husband and a good father.
It’s like studying and preparing yourself for the exam when you were still in college. Of course, the real challenge (or test) awaits at the end. Although doing it is much harder, at least you already know what God wants you to do when that time comes!
MA: Similar to question number 3, I think it’s important for us to prepare for the future and to understand what God wants us to do when the time comes. Most of my cell group members were still far away from marriage (most of them were 8-10 years younger than me) :), but in one session, we learned about how to become a future good father for our children by following an example of our real Father in heaven. The reactions were quite positive from every member in the group.
CSW:
Admittedly, you spend quite a bit of time on your computer. You work in the IT field,
maintain two blogs
and an avid gamer, how do you find time to date and maintain a
relationship?
MA: Haha, good question! It’s actually amazing how you can use your computer to maintain a relationship (through online chatting, for example). Of course, I have to be able to choose what I do wisely. Playing games every single day won’t help you find a date or improve your relationship with someone. You just have to know your priorities. Choose the right priority at the right time :)
Although
honestly speaking, sometimes I wish I have more than 24 hours in a
day!
CSW:
Like most guys you love technology, gadgets and games, but
what do you
find most appealing in a single Christian woman?
MA:
Although I’d love to be with someone who has the same
passion/hobby as
me, I think it’s more important to have someone who can serve God with
you
together. Someone who loves God and someone who can support you through
life. We all have
our own criteria and
requirements, but there is no perfect person (hey, I am not perfect
myself). So
it’s important to find someone who can complement you and vice versa.
CSW: You have a pretty robust tips section on your technology blog; do you have any tips for Christian single women struggling with this season of life?
MA: Haha I guess giving
technology
tips is quite different than giving relationship tips.
Being single myself, I think it’s important for you to first realize
that God
loves you so much. There may be times when you feel lonely or
questioning God
why you are still single when everyone else has someone by their
side.
When those times come, remember that you are never alone because He is always with you. Thank God for loving you, focus on Him, and keep praying for God’s perfect timing (which is different than our “perfect” timing). While waiting for His time, continue to learn how to be a good Christian woman, have your life transformed by His Words, and continue serving Him.
I am doing the same and have faith that He knows what’s right for me and I believe wholeheartedly that He knows what’s right for you too.
CSW:
Finally, as a technology buff, what are a few of your
favorite Christian
or biblical apps and/or games?
MA: Unfortunately I find that killing zombies and people are more fun than doing evangelism and saving people in a game :(. So I haven’t actually tried a real Christian game but I’d be interested, though.
My favorite biblical app is Pocket E-Sword or Olive Tree Bible Reader for my PocketPC handheld device. This ensures that I have a Bible with me at all times and I encourage every Christian to have one too. I'm sure there are good Bible applications on iPhone or on other popular phones as well.
MA: As closing words, I’d like to thank you for the opportunity in this interview. It’s a new experience for me and I’m honored to be able to serve Him through these series of Questions & Answers.
May God bless you and everything you do on Christian-Single-Woman.com as much as He has blessed me and my readers through WriteForGod.com.
CSW: Thanks Michael, you have a servant's heart and it was indeed a pleasure to learn more about you.
Be sure to subscribe to Michael's blog to receive all his new sermon notes and other resources.
Return
to Christian Single Male Perspective Home
Return to Christian Single Woman Home Page