Sung an older contemporary Christian song, 'Take Me In' today that reminds me of the great privilege we have gotten through Christ Jesus in allowing us to meet with our Abba Father, the lyrics can be found here
The song takes us through the various places in God's temple in Old Testament (OT) times. The outer courts being where the lay Jewish people offer their sacrifices on the brazen altar, a golden basin where priests wash themselves before they minister to the people. From there an inner sanctuary can be entered called the Holy Place, inside which separated by a thick, heavy curtain where God's glory itself resides, the Holy of Holies. In OT times, no person can enter the Holy of Holies except the high Priest and him only once a year after sacrifices have been made for sin so that he can offer incense as worship to God on behalf of the people. Death strikes any person who dares invade the Holy of Holies because the holy God cannot co-exist with sinful flesh. Yet the Holy of Holies, the place we cannot enter by our own selves, is the only place where His total righteousness is found.
It is with thankfulness as I think about the chorus of the song, "So take me in to the Holy of Holies, Take me in by the blood of the Lamb" - its meaning is really plain isn't it?
In Revelations 11:1-2 "(John) was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshippers there. But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles." For lay jewish believers, this is horrifying because only priests are allowed entry into the Holy Place. The implied meaning being that the only people who are spared the 2nd death - an eternal torment in the lake of fire (Rev 20:14) are the true worshippers, the real priests of our God, in the Holy Place, who are given access to Him directly, only by the blood of the lamb.
Why is that so? Only after the Father's wrath was fully satisfied, was 'the curtain of the temple torn in two' (Luke 23:45), then Christ, hanging on the cross, 'called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.", he breathed his last.' (Luke 23:46) Only by Christ's death on the cross, was the curtain torn and we are given free access into the Holy of Holies, only by the blood of the lamb.
The last line is a reminder of our right response "Take the coal cleanse my lips, here I am" - Isa 6:5-9. That after we have been justified and given the free gift of the righteousness of the lamb, brought into the majestic Holy presence of our King Himself whom we are unworthy to behold, our thankful response should be to be sent for God's service.
Isn't His gift of Himself such an awesome gift? And shouldn't this access to our King Himself, be taken a little bit more reverently especially by lazy people like me?
Saturday, September 24, 2005
The problem of loneliness
Read Island's post that really struck a chord in me. You can read it here.
In the working place, it feels so lonely and it is easy to think that one is the only person who is living in the 2 worlds, living out our citizenship in heaven in a sinful world. It also feels so tiring having to make out the wheat from the weed in the workplace, even among people who call themselves Christians.
Sometimes, it also just feels like I've given a gun to others to shoot myself with, when I do my best to live out what I believe and understand to be God's will, no doubt doing this very imperfectly - perhaps even action taken when wisdom is absent. Alot of times in frustration, I wish I still am an unbeliever because decisions are so instinctive and which will no doubt earn me more brownie points in the 'popularity' and 'easier' stakes. These decisions sometimes caused estrangement with fellow working colleagues because they feel I am working against their interest causing greater isolation and more work. Coupled with the fact that I tend to withdraw emotionally from people who I feel shows risks of hurting me, there are many times I feel so alone and wish I can just turn back, forsake my attempts and simply make peace at the expense of righteousness. In addition, uninvolved 3rd parties' implied jibes are an additional burden and although able to respond quickly to them, they drained my energy and give me greater desire to withdraw and be alone, away from work, even away from Christian fellowship when self-serving Christians are part of my problem.
It was only after a more 'mountain out of a molehill' incident where I looked to more mature sisters-in-christ guidance and prayer, that I realize the importance of a prayer group. With more mature and experienced godly sisters-in-christ, I realized I've gained the following:
- Models of Christlikeness: because they've gone through much, much more, their commitment to godliness is even more rooted than mine and it raises up the bar by which I should strive towards in Christ Jesus.
- Encouragement and fellowship: Patiently enduring my stammering out the facts, so stifled by frustration, annoyance and anger, they supported me emotionally and helped me feel that I am not alone!
- Prayer: They expressed blind spots that I, as an involved party, was not aware of, asking God for help in areas that I may not ask Him for myself. They prayed for me, even when I'm too tired, too depressed, too disappointed - times when I need God the most.
Thank God for His Church! Dear God, give me the wisdom to differentiate between the wheat and the weed and to know the good and wise thing to do in every situation. Thank You for the siblings-in-Christ you have given us because of your adoption of us as your children. Help us in every way, to support each other to run this race that we may finish this race until we meet You face-to-face. And help me remember to pray for the people around me that we may strengthen each other, working in unity the way You had intended it to be.
In the working place, it feels so lonely and it is easy to think that one is the only person who is living in the 2 worlds, living out our citizenship in heaven in a sinful world. It also feels so tiring having to make out the wheat from the weed in the workplace, even among people who call themselves Christians.
Sometimes, it also just feels like I've given a gun to others to shoot myself with, when I do my best to live out what I believe and understand to be God's will, no doubt doing this very imperfectly - perhaps even action taken when wisdom is absent. Alot of times in frustration, I wish I still am an unbeliever because decisions are so instinctive and which will no doubt earn me more brownie points in the 'popularity' and 'easier' stakes. These decisions sometimes caused estrangement with fellow working colleagues because they feel I am working against their interest causing greater isolation and more work. Coupled with the fact that I tend to withdraw emotionally from people who I feel shows risks of hurting me, there are many times I feel so alone and wish I can just turn back, forsake my attempts and simply make peace at the expense of righteousness. In addition, uninvolved 3rd parties' implied jibes are an additional burden and although able to respond quickly to them, they drained my energy and give me greater desire to withdraw and be alone, away from work, even away from Christian fellowship when self-serving Christians are part of my problem.
It was only after a more 'mountain out of a molehill' incident where I looked to more mature sisters-in-christ guidance and prayer, that I realize the importance of a prayer group. With more mature and experienced godly sisters-in-christ, I realized I've gained the following:
- Models of Christlikeness: because they've gone through much, much more, their commitment to godliness is even more rooted than mine and it raises up the bar by which I should strive towards in Christ Jesus.
- Encouragement and fellowship: Patiently enduring my stammering out the facts, so stifled by frustration, annoyance and anger, they supported me emotionally and helped me feel that I am not alone!
- Prayer: They expressed blind spots that I, as an involved party, was not aware of, asking God for help in areas that I may not ask Him for myself. They prayed for me, even when I'm too tired, too depressed, too disappointed - times when I need God the most.
Thank God for His Church! Dear God, give me the wisdom to differentiate between the wheat and the weed and to know the good and wise thing to do in every situation. Thank You for the siblings-in-Christ you have given us because of your adoption of us as your children. Help us in every way, to support each other to run this race that we may finish this race until we meet You face-to-face. And help me remember to pray for the people around me that we may strengthen each other, working in unity the way You had intended it to be.
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Wondering if you are truly saved
Read this dialogue with someone who wonders if he is saved. It has touched me deeply for some reason, pray that it's the same for you.
http://www.carm.org/dialogues/lose_salvation2.htm
http://www.carm.org/dialogues/lose_salvation2.htm
Monday, September 19, 2005
满于现状 / Full Contentment
我这生命的季节，电话总是寂静，寂静的。
在还没成为信徒前，是被周遭人物欣赏、仰慕、崇敬，促动的。所以电话无动静，是一大忌讳。就连现在成为信徒之后，电话无声，贪婪的心时常还会觉得不被重视、被遗弃、被遗忘。
今夜如常，电话照样无动静，霎那心里划过一丝不满的情绪也不知觉产生一股意识：你不是常埋怨没时间静下来吗？这可不是你最好良机？怎不感谢主呢？
在那时刻，我才真正了解，神给于每一季节的状况，都有它连身的喜悦与挑战。每一季节，不是在于把焦点放在那挑战上，感不满，而是在于完全的生活在每刻，感谢主给于的这一刻和它所有的喜悦与挑战，完完全全的生活在他的旨意里。就像我现在虽希望能被实体的人群围绕，何不抓住这机会，与真实、可贵的君王同在，并从他丰富的话语获得我的满足呢？或举例说明，如现在单身，欣然的活在那季节，完全接受它所有的喜悦与挑战，若在一段感情里，则欣然接受那状况和神赐的配偶。
在还没成为信徒前，是被周遭人物欣赏、仰慕、崇敬，促动的。所以电话无动静，是一大忌讳。就连现在成为信徒之后，电话无声，贪婪的心时常还会觉得不被重视、被遗弃、被遗忘。
今夜如常，电话照样无动静，霎那心里划过一丝不满的情绪也不知觉产生一股意识：你不是常埋怨没时间静下来吗？这可不是你最好良机？怎不感谢主呢？
在那时刻，我才真正了解，神给于每一季节的状况，都有它连身的喜悦与挑战。每一季节，不是在于把焦点放在那挑战上，感不满，而是在于完全的生活在每刻，感谢主给于的这一刻和它所有的喜悦与挑战，完完全全的生活在他的旨意里。就像我现在虽希望能被实体的人群围绕，何不抓住这机会，与真实、可贵的君王同在，并从他丰富的话语获得我的满足呢？或举例说明，如现在单身，欣然的活在那季节，完全接受它所有的喜悦与挑战，若在一段感情里，则欣然接受那状况和神赐的配偶。
Memorable Quote
"Even if the forces of darkness seem to prevail, believers know that evil and death will not have the last word."
Sunday, September 18, 2005
God's Will in the grey areas of our Lives
Recently, I and the people around me have been put in situations where siblings-in-christ all hanker after the same thing - and only 1 person could get it. This can arise in business (1 particular account or same targeted market), in jobs (1 promoted position) or in love (highly likely in the physical churches where girls outnumber guys 3:1).
This had led to strained relationships, unresolved emotions and tangible tensions in gatherings. All involved are highly uncomfortable and it's awkward to see the gymnastics and sensitivity involved to extricate the individual parties from those situations.
It’s simple to see (hard to follow) what we should do: To first obey what is explicit and clearly known in the bible, then to prayerfully proceed wisely with the circumstances given in the grey areas. In essence, we are simply called to live up to the 3 simple commandments as His kingdom people, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your strength, and with all your soul, and with all your strength and with all your mind", "Love your neighbour as yourself", "Love each other (fellow believers) as Christ has loved us".
The logical progression then is to first resolve the division between the 'competing' parties (doing everything within the purview of your stewardship, trusting in Him to work on the other party which is out of our control; letting go only after you're convinced that the person has personal ambitions that has overtaken God's rightful place). To truly see that it is good if any party gets the goal and (in the example of business/job) do our darnest best in God's will to get it or (in the example of love) to let nature takes its course and then leave everything in God's hand to give or withhold as He wills (because it is all His (not ours) in the first place) and trust that 'He will work for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose'.
Some examples of loving your neighbour as yourself could be as simple as:
i) Reflecting on the question 'What will I like the other party to do for me?' and doing exactly that for your neighbour.
ii) Analyzing how the person likes to be communicated to and then using that method (applied to the best of your knowledge) to move towards loving communication so that understanding and love can be progressed towards.
iii) (In some cases where it just gets too uncomfortable) Perhaps it may be to give each other space (making it clear it's not a result of estrangement or indifference) so that each can reflect prayerfully and find the best ways to love each other even more - acknowledging that both have similar and conflicting interest in the subject yet not compromising on your love.
iv) Others - you're much more creative than me, perhaps you can give me ideas for how to increase in loving action? ;)
Some people may ask at this point, "No really, practically, what should I do?" This suggests 3 things to me:
i) Firstly you really feel the bible and all its principles are not applicable to (your) real life now
ii) The subject has replaced the rightful position of God in our hearts and there is the aim of having the subject at whatever the cost - either because of personal ambition or of fear of losing out because you perceive the other party to be driven by personal ambition. It is not wrong to have desires; however it had in all likelihood morphed into sin the moment it takes priority over following God and His will.
iii) There may be principles in the bible I'm not aware of, which you can perhaps point out. ;)
Some of us may also be reading Revelations and know the guarantee of His second coming. If the above first 2 cases represent the true heart's desire, then the question is 'How ready are we to face Him and are we really worshipping Him with our entire lives as true heavenly people?'
Christ's call to us is "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26). This includes the desire towards the subjects we are pursuing, and all things nearest and dearest to our hearts as we follow His will. Christ's final command to His disciples just before He was crucified was, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35) Unlike the world, which is characterized by pursuit of fortune, fame and eros all for oneself, at whatever the cost and whatever the expense of other people, kingdom people are to be known by our love and unity in Christ Jesus. It is this faith and this alone that should warrant possible division that we may keep our doctrine and knowledge of Christ pure and right that we may not believe in an error.
In saying all these, I'm not necessarily saying to martyr yourself and give up your heart's desire to the other party. Rather, it is to give your heart's desire to God, submitting it in His care and concentrate with help from the Holy Spirit to do what He explicitly commands us to do: Love each other as I have loved you. We, and our conflicting desires are not each other's enemies, rather mightn’t Satan be using this (using you!) as a foothold to drive a wedge in sibling love?
When we focus on doing the good that He wills, it will definitely lead to ultimate joy. This will be all worthwhile when we look into His eyes and see His pleasure of us participating in His love, even if right now the world tells us that we have lost. It will not matter when we see our Agape again, whether or not we have obtained the subject of our affections. Woe is the day that unbelievers are able to exhibit actionable love far better than His own people. Wouldn't we put Him to shame the day He comes again and unbelievers regale Him with stories of how believers were divided by their own selfish ambition?
Following Him and His clear will for us may sometimes appear hard especially when we don’t know His will for us with respects to the subject of our affection, and the desire towards our subjects that we seemingly have to offer (which is not ours in the first place) to Him, seemingly precious and too high a cost. Yet weighed against what He has promised and what He has promised to spare us from, does it really matter?
This had led to strained relationships, unresolved emotions and tangible tensions in gatherings. All involved are highly uncomfortable and it's awkward to see the gymnastics and sensitivity involved to extricate the individual parties from those situations.
It’s simple to see (hard to follow) what we should do: To first obey what is explicit and clearly known in the bible, then to prayerfully proceed wisely with the circumstances given in the grey areas. In essence, we are simply called to live up to the 3 simple commandments as His kingdom people, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your strength, and with all your soul, and with all your strength and with all your mind", "Love your neighbour as yourself", "Love each other (fellow believers) as Christ has loved us".
The logical progression then is to first resolve the division between the 'competing' parties (doing everything within the purview of your stewardship, trusting in Him to work on the other party which is out of our control; letting go only after you're convinced that the person has personal ambitions that has overtaken God's rightful place). To truly see that it is good if any party gets the goal and (in the example of business/job) do our darnest best in God's will to get it or (in the example of love) to let nature takes its course and then leave everything in God's hand to give or withhold as He wills (because it is all His (not ours) in the first place) and trust that 'He will work for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose'.
Some examples of loving your neighbour as yourself could be as simple as:
i) Reflecting on the question 'What will I like the other party to do for me?' and doing exactly that for your neighbour.
ii) Analyzing how the person likes to be communicated to and then using that method (applied to the best of your knowledge) to move towards loving communication so that understanding and love can be progressed towards.
iii) (In some cases where it just gets too uncomfortable) Perhaps it may be to give each other space (making it clear it's not a result of estrangement or indifference) so that each can reflect prayerfully and find the best ways to love each other even more - acknowledging that both have similar and conflicting interest in the subject yet not compromising on your love.
iv) Others - you're much more creative than me, perhaps you can give me ideas for how to increase in loving action? ;)
Some people may ask at this point, "No really, practically, what should I do?" This suggests 3 things to me:
i) Firstly you really feel the bible and all its principles are not applicable to (your) real life now
ii) The subject has replaced the rightful position of God in our hearts and there is the aim of having the subject at whatever the cost - either because of personal ambition or of fear of losing out because you perceive the other party to be driven by personal ambition. It is not wrong to have desires; however it had in all likelihood morphed into sin the moment it takes priority over following God and His will.
iii) There may be principles in the bible I'm not aware of, which you can perhaps point out. ;)
Some of us may also be reading Revelations and know the guarantee of His second coming. If the above first 2 cases represent the true heart's desire, then the question is 'How ready are we to face Him and are we really worshipping Him with our entire lives as true heavenly people?'
Christ's call to us is "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26). This includes the desire towards the subjects we are pursuing, and all things nearest and dearest to our hearts as we follow His will. Christ's final command to His disciples just before He was crucified was, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35) Unlike the world, which is characterized by pursuit of fortune, fame and eros all for oneself, at whatever the cost and whatever the expense of other people, kingdom people are to be known by our love and unity in Christ Jesus. It is this faith and this alone that should warrant possible division that we may keep our doctrine and knowledge of Christ pure and right that we may not believe in an error.
In saying all these, I'm not necessarily saying to martyr yourself and give up your heart's desire to the other party. Rather, it is to give your heart's desire to God, submitting it in His care and concentrate with help from the Holy Spirit to do what He explicitly commands us to do: Love each other as I have loved you. We, and our conflicting desires are not each other's enemies, rather mightn’t Satan be using this (using you!) as a foothold to drive a wedge in sibling love?
When we focus on doing the good that He wills, it will definitely lead to ultimate joy. This will be all worthwhile when we look into His eyes and see His pleasure of us participating in His love, even if right now the world tells us that we have lost. It will not matter when we see our Agape again, whether or not we have obtained the subject of our affections. Woe is the day that unbelievers are able to exhibit actionable love far better than His own people. Wouldn't we put Him to shame the day He comes again and unbelievers regale Him with stories of how believers were divided by their own selfish ambition?
Following Him and His clear will for us may sometimes appear hard especially when we don’t know His will for us with respects to the subject of our affection, and the desire towards our subjects that we seemingly have to offer (which is not ours in the first place) to Him, seemingly precious and too high a cost. Yet weighed against what He has promised and what He has promised to spare us from, does it really matter?
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Working for God's glory
[Thanksgiving item: Praise God I'm back in BSF! *breakdancing* 1 of the best systems so far in keeping me disciplined in my bible study, will treasure 'my membership' in it.]
The very first question I grapple with when (at last) absolutely and fully convinced that my entire life is to be lived for God's glory is "What should my life's work be?" then secondly, "Is it to gear myself towards full-time church ministry/missionary work?"
The prayerful answer for me is an immediate "No" (although this answer is for this season and may possibly be changed at a later season in His good timing).
When sharing this answer with the people around me, the implicit response I sensed from them seems to be, "Are you sure (this is the prayerful answer/your heart has not been hardened by being steeped in worldliness/you are truly following God)?" Thank God that I have friends who truly care about my spiritual condition and who wants to know if I'm right with God. On the other hand, I admit I'm a little annoyed that they feel I'm not mature enough to perceive my current standing with God. (Let me not be blind when I think I see!)
You see, although I am mostly edified with the teaching on Proverbs during the month of June, I am not fully convinced about the teaching on work.
The lessons I perceived seems to be, work is ONLY for:
i) Putting food on the table
ii) Evangelism
(Correct me if I'm wrong)
I believe that the above are biblical positions and I raise both my hands and feet in support of them. I especially feel that evangelism in the workplace should be more vigourously championed, loving and effective evangelism techniques taught so that more people will become kingdom people.
My problem is with the concept "Only". It doesn't feel right to me that the way I spend 40-50% of my waking life cannot be offered for the glory of God in its own sake unless it becomes "a means to an end". I believe that everything I do can be offered for the glory of God in its own sake. I sing (currently mostly Christian songs) for the glory of God, moving to the kitchen should my mom express her annoyance "with my noise", I connect with friends (prayerfully it is lovingly) for His glory - laughing, making jokes, encouraging them when I can, I swallow my annoyance and do what I don't feel like doing (gritting my teeth and doing my best to discipline my heart so that I'm not cursing in my heart) for His glory, so why can't I simply work for His glory without considering it solely as a means to an end?
(To be continued...)
The very first question I grapple with when (at last) absolutely and fully convinced that my entire life is to be lived for God's glory is "What should my life's work be?" then secondly, "Is it to gear myself towards full-time church ministry/missionary work?"
The prayerful answer for me is an immediate "No" (although this answer is for this season and may possibly be changed at a later season in His good timing).
When sharing this answer with the people around me, the implicit response I sensed from them seems to be, "Are you sure (this is the prayerful answer/your heart has not been hardened by being steeped in worldliness/you are truly following God)?" Thank God that I have friends who truly care about my spiritual condition and who wants to know if I'm right with God. On the other hand, I admit I'm a little annoyed that they feel I'm not mature enough to perceive my current standing with God. (Let me not be blind when I think I see!)
You see, although I am mostly edified with the teaching on Proverbs during the month of June, I am not fully convinced about the teaching on work.
The lessons I perceived seems to be, work is ONLY for:
i) Putting food on the table
ii) Evangelism
(Correct me if I'm wrong)
I believe that the above are biblical positions and I raise both my hands and feet in support of them. I especially feel that evangelism in the workplace should be more vigourously championed, loving and effective evangelism techniques taught so that more people will become kingdom people.
My problem is with the concept "Only". It doesn't feel right to me that the way I spend 40-50% of my waking life cannot be offered for the glory of God in its own sake unless it becomes "a means to an end". I believe that everything I do can be offered for the glory of God in its own sake. I sing (currently mostly Christian songs) for the glory of God, moving to the kitchen should my mom express her annoyance "with my noise", I connect with friends (prayerfully it is lovingly) for His glory - laughing, making jokes, encouraging them when I can, I swallow my annoyance and do what I don't feel like doing (gritting my teeth and doing my best to discipline my heart so that I'm not cursing in my heart) for His glory, so why can't I simply work for His glory without considering it solely as a means to an end?
(To be continued...)
Sunday, September 11, 2005
Love, Love, Love!
[Update: Thanks to God and to all for your prayers. Despite not getting enough rest, not drinking enough water and no time for cough syrup and honeyed water, somehow my voice got better and better through the day and I was able to emcee throughout the day. Praise God!]
It was no fun being one of the sisters' in my friends' wedding yesterday.
The groom was so obliging, coming on the dot to the bride's house by the programme sheet (when other grooms are known to dawdle so that there's less time to sabo them), doing everything (and getting his brothers in as well) we asked him to do, and then when the time drew near to move on to the next item on the programme, with anxiety, that he might miss the chance to marry his bride, clearly in his voice, "Hurry up leh, I've done all you want me to, let's not be late!" He really took the fun out by deprieving us of a chance to nit-pick "Aiyah, didn't finish the chilli, must toast and empty cup in one gulp" (cause he did it before we ask). *Sighz*
Throughout the entire proceedings, it was clear that wedding the bride is clearly what the groom really, really really desires in his life - the shaking in his voice when he pronounced the wedding vows in church, the commitment and love shining in his eyes as he sang 《月亮代表我的心》(looking at his eyes, fixed on his bride, I can sense the unspoken promises then, "I will take care of you and give of myself to you my entire life"), the holding of the bride tightly to his side when she was crying, doing his best to comfort her (as if offering her himself to make up for everything she had endured) so that if it's within his power, he will remove the pain in her heart.
I caught a glimpse of the love of Christ for His church described in Eph 5:22-33 and truly understood why the ideal love between husband and wife is meant as a representation of Christ and His church in their love and marriage. That realization made me so thankful that I'm loved at least so much by my Lord, my God, in making me His (and everything really being within His power to heal and fulfill all promises).
Seeing that love shining in his eyes, I just felt so, so privileged in being part of their love story. Although it is tiring and oftentimes, I am riled and annoyed with some people, in that moment, seeing their love, I felt so privileged that I was a part in making the fulfillment of their true love come to reality, because for the day, I am a part of that true love. I got a start though when I realized that that should precisely be the fulfillment from serving God in being part of His plan. Not because He needs me to, but it is a privilege to be a part of His love for us, bringing forward His plan to redeem His crying people into ultimate fulfillment and joy. In serving Him faithfully, one day, we will see the ultimate love in His eyes and rejoice that we had become a part of that all-encompassing love.
Seeing my discipleship group making it on time for rehearsals, giving of their gifts and talent for the progress of the wedding out of love for the couple was so edifying. It was gratifying to see some individuals quietly making arrangements, behind the scenes, to ensure that the wedding is in order - not for glory or the praise of men, but out of love for the couple, giving their time and effort, giving up precious time they could be spending with their loved ones, their family, their own selves. These actions are consistent with what was expounded by the officiating pastor in 1 John 4:7-21 during the wedding service. That love is not thinking of serving her tea but actually going to serve her tea.
These seemingly minor episodes also really brings to life for me the points C.S Lewis makes in his book "The Four Loves" when he expounds a little on Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple."
For the preparations of the wedding, in sacrificing their personal rest, time with loved ones for preparations for the wedding, does it mean that they feel their personal rest, time with loved ones is not important? In this case, in loving the couple and hating their rest and time with loved ones, it simply means they choose to let preparations for the wedding take precedence over their personal desires and priorities. Similarly, in loving Christ and hating our father and mother, our wives and children, our brothers and sister, it does not mean that Christ feels that we love our loved ones too much, but rather to let His will take precedence over the wills of our loved ones and love Him more.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me another glimpse of how much you have loved me and a little bit more of what it means to love you. You are truly worthy of worship with my entire life.
It was no fun being one of the sisters' in my friends' wedding yesterday.
The groom was so obliging, coming on the dot to the bride's house by the programme sheet (when other grooms are known to dawdle so that there's less time to sabo them), doing everything (and getting his brothers in as well) we asked him to do, and then when the time drew near to move on to the next item on the programme, with anxiety, that he might miss the chance to marry his bride, clearly in his voice, "Hurry up leh, I've done all you want me to, let's not be late!" He really took the fun out by deprieving us of a chance to nit-pick "Aiyah, didn't finish the chilli, must toast and empty cup in one gulp" (cause he did it before we ask). *Sighz*
Throughout the entire proceedings, it was clear that wedding the bride is clearly what the groom really, really really desires in his life - the shaking in his voice when he pronounced the wedding vows in church, the commitment and love shining in his eyes as he sang 《月亮代表我的心》(looking at his eyes, fixed on his bride, I can sense the unspoken promises then, "I will take care of you and give of myself to you my entire life"), the holding of the bride tightly to his side when she was crying, doing his best to comfort her (as if offering her himself to make up for everything she had endured) so that if it's within his power, he will remove the pain in her heart.
I caught a glimpse of the love of Christ for His church described in Eph 5:22-33 and truly understood why the ideal love between husband and wife is meant as a representation of Christ and His church in their love and marriage. That realization made me so thankful that I'm loved at least so much by my Lord, my God, in making me His (and everything really being within His power to heal and fulfill all promises).
Seeing that love shining in his eyes, I just felt so, so privileged in being part of their love story. Although it is tiring and oftentimes, I am riled and annoyed with some people, in that moment, seeing their love, I felt so privileged that I was a part in making the fulfillment of their true love come to reality, because for the day, I am a part of that true love. I got a start though when I realized that that should precisely be the fulfillment from serving God in being part of His plan. Not because He needs me to, but it is a privilege to be a part of His love for us, bringing forward His plan to redeem His crying people into ultimate fulfillment and joy. In serving Him faithfully, one day, we will see the ultimate love in His eyes and rejoice that we had become a part of that all-encompassing love.
Seeing my discipleship group making it on time for rehearsals, giving of their gifts and talent for the progress of the wedding out of love for the couple was so edifying. It was gratifying to see some individuals quietly making arrangements, behind the scenes, to ensure that the wedding is in order - not for glory or the praise of men, but out of love for the couple, giving their time and effort, giving up precious time they could be spending with their loved ones, their family, their own selves. These actions are consistent with what was expounded by the officiating pastor in 1 John 4:7-21 during the wedding service. That love is not thinking of serving her tea but actually going to serve her tea.
These seemingly minor episodes also really brings to life for me the points C.S Lewis makes in his book "The Four Loves" when he expounds a little on Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple."
For the preparations of the wedding, in sacrificing their personal rest, time with loved ones for preparations for the wedding, does it mean that they feel their personal rest, time with loved ones is not important? In this case, in loving the couple and hating their rest and time with loved ones, it simply means they choose to let preparations for the wedding take precedence over their personal desires and priorities. Similarly, in loving Christ and hating our father and mother, our wives and children, our brothers and sister, it does not mean that Christ feels that we love our loved ones too much, but rather to let His will take precedence over the wills of our loved ones and love Him more.
Dear Lord, thank you for giving me another glimpse of how much you have loved me and a little bit more of what it means to love you. You are truly worthy of worship with my entire life.
Friday, September 09, 2005
What action will bring glory to God?
You're an employee of a particular big organization and part of your work requires working with external partners.
In the course of one particular partnership, the partner bends over backwards to accomodate the requests of your organisation, putting in many unaccounted man-hours and doing the best he can to clear beaureacracy on his side. Unfortunately, he is paid hourly and his accounted man-hours is low.
Further search into past partnerships found that a commercial (as opposed to the current ACADEMIC) partner in the same capacity doing less work but was paid double.
What action below would you do that will bring glory to God and why?
1) Report an inflated number of accounted man-hours by this new partner (although he already understands and accepts the lower figure) - it brings glory to God to fight for the underdog
2) Ignore it and continue on as agreed previously - your duty is simply to carry out your tasks
3) Report the accounted man-hours and mention the backbreaking work the man has done and doing your best to fight for more for your partner within your organization (knowing that it will simply be acknowledged in words with little corresponding monetary reward because everything has already been passed)
4) Other God-glorifying strategies?
In the course of one particular partnership, the partner bends over backwards to accomodate the requests of your organisation, putting in many unaccounted man-hours and doing the best he can to clear beaureacracy on his side. Unfortunately, he is paid hourly and his accounted man-hours is low.
Further search into past partnerships found that a commercial (as opposed to the current ACADEMIC) partner in the same capacity doing less work but was paid double.
What action below would you do that will bring glory to God and why?
1) Report an inflated number of accounted man-hours by this new partner (although he already understands and accepts the lower figure) - it brings glory to God to fight for the underdog
2) Ignore it and continue on as agreed previously - your duty is simply to carry out your tasks
3) Report the accounted man-hours and mention the backbreaking work the man has done and doing your best to fight for more for your partner within your organization (knowing that it will simply be acknowledged in words with little corresponding monetary reward because everything has already been passed)
4) Other God-glorifying strategies?
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