Graduate Henry Aung: Do Fewer Things With More Love

 

Learning to slow down, know God, and embrace His heart for the world

In a culture that often equates busyness with faithfulness, slowing down can feel counter-intuitive. For Henry Aung from Myanmar, an MDiv Teaching & Exposition graduate at East Asia School of Theology (EAST), learning to slow down became an important part of his theological formation. Henry, 29, moved to Singapore with his mother when he was nine years old. During his studies at EAST, one of his steepest learning curves was discovering how “not to rush about with busyness, accept my limits, and do fewer things with more love.”

It was more than simply learning better time management. Slowing down created space for something deeper.
“As I focused on knowing God, I grew to embrace His heart for the world, not just for my own Myanmar people.”
For Henry, knowing God more deeply began to enlarge his vision of whom God loves and where He might call him to serve.

Learning to Love God’s Word
Another important part of Henry’s journey came through Bible Study Methods (BSM).
At first, he found the subject difficult. “BSM was very technical to me at first but Ms Amy Lau, with patience and skill, inspired me to love God’s Word more.” That growing love for Scripture has also shaped Henry’s hopes for future ministry. He desires to go where biblical training is scarce, opening the Bible with ministers and giving them tools and encouragement to serve God more effectively.

His experience reminds us that theological education is not simply about acquiring more knowledge. It is also about being formed—learning to know God, love His Word, love people, and participate in His work in the world.
And perhaps Henry’s lesson about slowing down is one many of us need:
Accept our limits.
Know God more deeply.
And do fewer things—with more love.
When asked what advice he would give others embarking on theological studies, Henry offered another simple reminder:
“Enjoy the studies, not endure it.”

May our learning—and our serving—flow not merely from how much we can accomplish, but from an ever-deepening love for God and for the people He places before us.
Adapted from EAST’s 32nd Commencement Magazine.

For more information about EAST program of studies and student applications, please visit the Admissions page or email admissions [at] east.edu.sg.