Is it too early for reflection on 2011?
No...in fact i think there are many things to reflect on...i wonder if i have enough time to spend on thinking, evaluating and reflecting...
As i read the blog entry in January, i'm glad to say at least, i manage to do and achieve what i wanted to set off to do in Jan 2011 - passing driving (Woohoo!), serving in PFS (yup though it's not easy but yet it brings some kind of a unspeakable joy) and spending more time with my school kids (though not all the time but as much as i could).
So many things that i want to reflect on that i can't even name them unless i type it down here...
1. What have i learnt in 2011 and what has God taught me in 2011?
One of the major lessons that i think God would have me learn and restore in my life is my relationship with my Dad - my earthly father.
Since the divine appointment to heal my past childhood hurts with my mum, i know that God would have more healing work to work out in my life in my relationship with my dad. Through the angry outburst incident, it helped me to see and acknowledge my inner hurts, my depise and my bitter root judgements. And more so, i want to forgive my dad for all of them...and to ask for forgiveness from God for all these sins and burdens that held me down consiously and unconsciously. And i'm still learning this lesson whenever i'm led to judge...and i know this is a journey lesson.
At the same time, i learnt to set healthy boundaries and again, this is a lifelong lesson that i need to remind myself to do...for friends, for work, for family and for myself.
Another lesson was in perseverance with serving in PFS. The first 3 months was not exactly torturous but it was quite unbearable because i had no control. It's interesting how terrible i felt when there's no control...it reflects my craving and need for control - something which i need to work on...releasing control. And learning that God's in control even when i'm not. And learning to trust God that He is in control even when all before my eyes seemed to get out of control. It's amazing how Jacob and Mary deal wtih all these loss of control yet trust God so trustedly.
Preparedness - God prepares His people (thru the book, "Initimacy" by Henri Nouwen).He does it in every juncture. God does not call one at whim and fancy without preparation. He foresees, plans and prepares ahead before He brings each person, thing and event into existence. This taught me about God's nature. And it is in this way that He will prepare for me the path, the persons i will meet and the work and things that He wants me to do.
3. What are the things i need to improve and work on?
It struck me today that something which i wanted to do for this year but i have not done so till today - that is setting aside solitude time to spend with God.
It is something that i know i want to do for next year - to systematically carve out and set aside time once every month (1st Saturday afternoon) in solititude with God.
That's the goal for 2012!
4. What are the plans God has for me this year and next year?
5. What are my hopes and what do i want to achieve for 2012?
a. To have solititude with God on every 1st Sat afternoon of each month.
6. Who are the people whom God wants me to spend time with in 2012?
7. How have i grown spiritually in 2011?
8. How do i go about continuing my spiritual growth in 2012?
Time to think......
Friday, December 9, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Serendipity
Serendipity - finding something unexpectedly pleasant / happy.
Watching this really old-school show...reminds me of this encounter of sitting beside this ang-moh guy in church one day...sitting beside him strangely makes me feel that i could sit beside this guy my whole life. Ha...sounds so absurd...so silly...but so hard to forget too...ha..perhaps it's the die-hard romantic inside me...somehow just relish that feeling...when my heart struggles with the rationality of my mind.
Watching this really old-school show...reminds me of this encounter of sitting beside this ang-moh guy in church one day...sitting beside him strangely makes me feel that i could sit beside this guy my whole life. Ha...sounds so absurd...so silly...but so hard to forget too...ha..perhaps it's the die-hard romantic inside me...somehow just relish that feeling...when my heart struggles with the rationality of my mind.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
The watches of the night
On a moody and lonely night, this poem penned by Irish-born Kristyn Getty soothed my soul...reminds me to fight on and persevere on despite my worn-out body and soul...despite my human logic and self-will...to fight against my selfish will so that i can obey His calling and perfect will.
I looked towards the wintering trees
To hush my dreadful soul
as they rise to face the icy sky, they hold fast beneath the snow
and their rings grow wide, their roots go deep that they might hold their height
and stand like valient soldiers through the watches of the night.
And no human shoulder ever bears the weight of all the world
but hearts can sink below the eck of troubles' sudden surge
Yet far beyond all knowing
there's a strong unsleeping light
that reaches around to hold me through the watches of the night
And i have cried upon the steps that seemed too steep for me to climb
And i have prayed against the burdens that i did not want to be mine
But here i am, and this is where You're calling me to fight
And You, i will remember through the watches of the night
You, i will remember through the watches of the night
By Kristyn Getty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIyXwldPup4
I looked towards the wintering trees
To hush my dreadful soul
as they rise to face the icy sky, they hold fast beneath the snow
and their rings grow wide, their roots go deep that they might hold their height
and stand like valient soldiers through the watches of the night.
And no human shoulder ever bears the weight of all the world
but hearts can sink below the eck of troubles' sudden surge
Yet far beyond all knowing
there's a strong unsleeping light
that reaches around to hold me through the watches of the night
And i have cried upon the steps that seemed too steep for me to climb
And i have prayed against the burdens that i did not want to be mine
But here i am, and this is where You're calling me to fight
And You, i will remember through the watches of the night
You, i will remember through the watches of the night
By Kristyn Getty
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIyXwldPup4
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Be Still my soul...amidst all these hectic days
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9zHn4QSH-8&feature=related
Why am i so busy and stressed out? Why are my days so hectic when i should be like all the others who are less busy and stressed?
Cast all your burdens to the LORD, you silly girl!...i say to myself...and not depend on yourself and do all by yourself...
Why am i so busy and stressed out? Why are my days so hectic when i should be like all the others who are less busy and stressed?
Cast all your burdens to the LORD, you silly girl!...i say to myself...and not depend on yourself and do all by yourself...
Saturday, April 2, 2011
My 1st faith milestone in 2011
Being able to drive - for most people, it's no problem at all.
But for me, it's something almost unimaginable for me to do a few years back.
I've always given and believed the excuse that i'm the kinda of person who can't multi-task - having to look front, look back, look side and move my hands and feet at the same time - is something too difficult to do. I can actually remember telling my friends that it's better and safer without me on the road...(something which i would like to retract as of now :))
To even embark on the idea of learning to drive is a faith journey for me. For most, it's a useful skill to pick up...but for me, it seemed that it's more of a God-idea than my own idea - to learn to drive and to learn MANUAL. For what? That i don't know, but for me, there're definitely practical reasons to do that but i know that it's not good enough for me to move myself to do it...knowing it's much more difficult. In fact, more than a few instructors i've met have questioned my decision to learn manual.
But every step of the way, from BTT to FTT to practical lessons, was God's strength and grace with me. I remember days whereby i have to go for driving lessons without sleep during my insomnia nights. Knowing that if this is what God wants me to learn, He'll carry me through...and before every lesson, i always prayed and committed it to Him, simply because i know i won't be able to do it without Him.
Now being able to pass the driving test, though on the second try nonetheless, testifies all the more to His grace and faithfulness. It's totally unexpected, so much so that i still couldn't believe it a few hours later that i actually did it. More than anything, God shows and demonstrates to me His ability, power and grace to bring me through what He wants me to do, no matter how hard it seemed for me to do, as long as i depended on Him. All Glory be to God!
But for me, it's something almost unimaginable for me to do a few years back.
I've always given and believed the excuse that i'm the kinda of person who can't multi-task - having to look front, look back, look side and move my hands and feet at the same time - is something too difficult to do. I can actually remember telling my friends that it's better and safer without me on the road...(something which i would like to retract as of now :))
To even embark on the idea of learning to drive is a faith journey for me. For most, it's a useful skill to pick up...but for me, it seemed that it's more of a God-idea than my own idea - to learn to drive and to learn MANUAL. For what? That i don't know, but for me, there're definitely practical reasons to do that but i know that it's not good enough for me to move myself to do it...knowing it's much more difficult. In fact, more than a few instructors i've met have questioned my decision to learn manual.
But every step of the way, from BTT to FTT to practical lessons, was God's strength and grace with me. I remember days whereby i have to go for driving lessons without sleep during my insomnia nights. Knowing that if this is what God wants me to learn, He'll carry me through...and before every lesson, i always prayed and committed it to Him, simply because i know i won't be able to do it without Him.
Now being able to pass the driving test, though on the second try nonetheless, testifies all the more to His grace and faithfulness. It's totally unexpected, so much so that i still couldn't believe it a few hours later that i actually did it. More than anything, God shows and demonstrates to me His ability, power and grace to bring me through what He wants me to do, no matter how hard it seemed for me to do, as long as i depended on Him. All Glory be to God!
Monday, March 7, 2011
I'm NOT...
I'm NOT...the clothes i wear, I'm NOT...the photograph, I'm NOT...the music that i hear.
I'm NOT...the bag i carry, I'm NOT...the face you see, I'm NOT...the places that i go.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Thy Word
The closing song for today's service - tunes me back to God from my distractions. Thank you, LORD!
Doulos
The last part of today's sermon struck me. :0)
It's like a drop of water on the parched dry ground of my soul. I guessed i've been dry spiritually for the past 2 or 3 weeks.
Pastor William, during the last part of his sermon, suddenly talked about the word 'doulos' and what it meant.
According to Pastor William and from Wikipedia,
Doulos may refer to:
In ancient Greece, a slave (δοῦλος)
Biblically it is commonly translated as bond-servant or servant, but literally the word meant slave.
And he said that we are slaves to God when we enter His kingdom. This is both a strong and provocative statement. I always sees it as bondservants, but he used the word "slave", which in turns provokes me to think more about my standing with God.
In further search of the definition of "doulos", i realised there's more to it than the meaning of 'slave'. It also depends where it's used (whether in ancient Rome or ancient Greece). From differing political viewpoints (depending on whether it's Athenian democracy or ancient Greek cities eg. Sparta), there also seemed be a disparity in definition of 'doulos'. In Athens, there was a distinction between 'doulos' and 'sklavos' (which is a more accurate translation of slave) but not so in Sparta. There are also different classes of 'duoloi' and treatment of 'duoloi' differed greatly in different places.
The search hasn't ended...but no matter what, i have a feeling that there's no exact pointing of the finger to a single definition. It can have a different meaning at a different place at a different time zone. And even so, i thanked God for the renewed realisation of how wrecked and worthless my status as a 'slave' to the world & myself in the past, but how God has bought me with a price (the great price of His Son) and Jesus (giving His life as payment for my life), so that He can make me not just his slave or servant but His friend, child and co-heir with Christ.
It's like a drop of water on the parched dry ground of my soul. I guessed i've been dry spiritually for the past 2 or 3 weeks.
Pastor William, during the last part of his sermon, suddenly talked about the word 'doulos' and what it meant.
According to Pastor William and from Wikipedia,
Doulos may refer to:
In ancient Greece, a slave (δοῦλος)
Biblically it is commonly translated as bond-servant or servant, but literally the word meant slave.
And he said that we are slaves to God when we enter His kingdom. This is both a strong and provocative statement. I always sees it as bondservants, but he used the word "slave", which in turns provokes me to think more about my standing with God.
In further search of the definition of "doulos", i realised there's more to it than the meaning of 'slave'. It also depends where it's used (whether in ancient Rome or ancient Greece). From differing political viewpoints (depending on whether it's Athenian democracy or ancient Greek cities eg. Sparta), there also seemed be a disparity in definition of 'doulos'. In Athens, there was a distinction between 'doulos' and 'sklavos' (which is a more accurate translation of slave) but not so in Sparta. There are also different classes of 'duoloi' and treatment of 'duoloi' differed greatly in different places.
The search hasn't ended...but no matter what, i have a feeling that there's no exact pointing of the finger to a single definition. It can have a different meaning at a different place at a different time zone. And even so, i thanked God for the renewed realisation of how wrecked and worthless my status as a 'slave' to the world & myself in the past, but how God has bought me with a price (the great price of His Son) and Jesus (giving His life as payment for my life), so that He can make me not just his slave or servant but His friend, child and co-heir with Christ.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Charting 2011
Been wanting to do this some 2-3 weeks ago...Finally, got down to start it...
In 2011,
I want to be 'liberated' from the constraints of age to do what i want to do! :)
I realised that being at 33 should be NO BARRIER at all to do what i want!
To do the things that young ones can do too!
Water-ski-ing? Horse-riding? Golf? (ok, perhaps golf is not just for the young...)
Pass my driving test by Feb 2011. 18 FEB 2011!!!!!!
Serving and ministering to the children in Prisons Fellowship?
I want to do what is IMPORTANT to God: loving God and trusting Him in transforming me to be more and more Christlike. Especially not forgetting the truths He deposited in my heart, and the experiences of journeying in God's Israel. I don't want it to be just another holiday memory. I want it propel me to want to spend even more more time in solitude, building deeper intimacy with God, reading God's Word, praying for missionaries and the lost.
I want to do what is IMPORTANT & LASTING: spending time and building relationships with my school kids whom God has placed in my hands and within my influence. Being there for them to help them and guide them as much as i can instead of doing so many other seemingly important things but actually doesn't matter one bit when this world passes away..
...and perhaps not even the last,
To Take Hold of what God wants me to TAKE HOLD of...and
To Let Go of what God wants me to LET GO of...
In 2011,
I want to be 'liberated' from the constraints of age to do what i want to do! :)
I realised that being at 33 should be NO BARRIER at all to do what i want!
To do the things that young ones can do too!
Water-ski-ing? Horse-riding? Golf? (ok, perhaps golf is not just for the young...)
Pass my driving test by Feb 2011. 18 FEB 2011!!!!!!
Serving and ministering to the children in Prisons Fellowship?
I want to do what is IMPORTANT to God: loving God and trusting Him in transforming me to be more and more Christlike. Especially not forgetting the truths He deposited in my heart, and the experiences of journeying in God's Israel. I don't want it to be just another holiday memory. I want it propel me to want to spend even more more time in solitude, building deeper intimacy with God, reading God's Word, praying for missionaries and the lost.
I want to do what is IMPORTANT & LASTING: spending time and building relationships with my school kids whom God has placed in my hands and within my influence. Being there for them to help them and guide them as much as i can instead of doing so many other seemingly important things but actually doesn't matter one bit when this world passes away..
...and perhaps not even the last,
To Take Hold of what God wants me to TAKE HOLD of...and
To Let Go of what God wants me to LET GO of...
Sunday, January 9, 2011
God's economy vs Man's economy
It's barely 10 days past 2011...already, God has shown me several reminders of God's economy of things is contrary to Man's economy of things. Perhaps this is the theme for 2011...Learning to see things through God's eyes. :)
It started with the Beautitudes reading on 31st Dec 2010...I think there was something else which i forgot...(still trying hard to recall...). Then this week, it was on the issue of weakness inspired by the inspirational calendar on 2 Cor 12:10. It makes me think 'indeed in human terms, when a person is deemed or seen as weak, he is often despised by men because of his weakness or flaw. But God does not laugh or mock at our weakness. Rather there's something in our weakness that He can use to empower us in His strength. It's only when we recognise that we are weak and cease to rely on ourselves and choose to rely on His that His power and strength can be perfected in us.
'For when I am weak, then I am strong.' ~ 2 Cor 12:10
It started with the Beautitudes reading on 31st Dec 2010...I think there was something else which i forgot...(still trying hard to recall...). Then this week, it was on the issue of weakness inspired by the inspirational calendar on 2 Cor 12:10. It makes me think 'indeed in human terms, when a person is deemed or seen as weak, he is often despised by men because of his weakness or flaw. But God does not laugh or mock at our weakness. Rather there's something in our weakness that He can use to empower us in His strength. It's only when we recognise that we are weak and cease to rely on ourselves and choose to rely on His that His power and strength can be perfected in us.
'For when I am weak, then I am strong.' ~ 2 Cor 12:10
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Realisations on the Israel & Jordan trip...
I kept wondering what this Israel & Jordan trip might bring...since there was no peace for going Capetown...and for Israel, somehow in some way, i managed to go.
One very, very, very precious word that God spoke to me on the trip was and is...
"I LOVE YOU, and I CHERISH YOU".
This very basic and simple truth that i should have known so well for the last 14 years is yet something that probably didn't really sink in. These words MELTED me. Deep inside, maybe I must have lacked alot of faith that i'm loved, or that i'm even worthy of any love. Once again, i see this great 'black hole' of emptiness inside of me...how much i have tried to fill it but it's not enough.
But God's words was enough and is enough. Simple as it is. Treading the places and having trod where Jesus used to walk in Jerusalem as He journeyed his way to bear the cross and showed His love for me and all, just simply demonstrates the very words God spoke to me.
Intro:
E2 Esus E2 Esus
Verse 1:
E Esus
You are so beautiful
E G#m7 A2 Bsus A2/C# B/D#
There is none that compares to You
E Esus E2
Who can take my brokenness
G#m7 A2
and make something new?
B A/C# B/D#
Only You
Chorus:
A B2 E2
You're beautiful to me
A2 B2 Esus E
You will be my song for all eternity
A2 B2 C#m B A
You're overtaking every part of me
A2 Bsus B E2 Esus E2 Esus E2
You're beautiful to me
Verse 2:
Merciful Father
There is none that compares to You
Who can take my bitterness
And make something sweet?
Only You
Tag:
A2 B2 E2
And I am left in awe of You (4x)
One very, very, very precious word that God spoke to me on the trip was and is...
"I LOVE YOU, and I CHERISH YOU".
This very basic and simple truth that i should have known so well for the last 14 years is yet something that probably didn't really sink in. These words MELTED me. Deep inside, maybe I must have lacked alot of faith that i'm loved, or that i'm even worthy of any love. Once again, i see this great 'black hole' of emptiness inside of me...how much i have tried to fill it but it's not enough.
But God's words was enough and is enough. Simple as it is. Treading the places and having trod where Jesus used to walk in Jerusalem as He journeyed his way to bear the cross and showed His love for me and all, just simply demonstrates the very words God spoke to me.
Intro:
E2 Esus E2 Esus
Verse 1:
E Esus
You are so beautiful
E G#m7 A2 Bsus A2/C# B/D#
There is none that compares to You
E Esus E2
Who can take my brokenness
G#m7 A2
and make something new?
B A/C# B/D#
Only You
Chorus:
A B2 E2
You're beautiful to me
A2 B2 Esus E
You will be my song for all eternity
A2 B2 C#m B A
You're overtaking every part of me
A2 Bsus B E2 Esus E2 Esus E2
You're beautiful to me
Verse 2:
Merciful Father
There is none that compares to You
Who can take my bitterness
And make something sweet?
Only You
Tag:
A2 B2 E2
And I am left in awe of You (4x)
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Letting go 2010...is it Taking hold 2011?
Reading Isaac's blog has prompted me to write again...somehow i just 'forgot' about blogging the last few months...indeed i want to remember what God has done for me in my life lest i forget the goodness of God in my life, lest i forget all the lessons He has taught me...i want to remember God and all of His love and goodness in my life.
This blog started with the journey to missions..and even though theological training didn't seemed to be part of God's plan at this point...the journey of missions continues...it will never stop till i cease to breathe...so this blog shall continue to document the wonderous works of God in my life...
It felt blissful when I sat at West Coast Park on the last day of 2010 to spend time alone...alone to reflect on 2010...to talk to God...to reflect what God has done in my life in 2010 and what He has taught me. One thing that stood out when I think about all the major happenings during 2010: Letting go...
I realised that God has been teaching me to let go in 2010. Letting go of my desire to escape and go into biblical studies, letting go of him that i shouldn't hold on to anymore, letting go of what i want and where i want to go.
Realising this 'trend' of letting go in 2010...it makes me wonder God has in mind for 2011? Is it more 'letting go'? or is it 'taking hold'? :) well, i'm excited at what He has in store...and whatever it is, i'm trusting Him and obeying Him...be it letting go or taking hold.
At the same time, I was reading Psalm 1 and felt led to read the Beautitudes in Matthew 5, as i was seeking to hear from God.
Matthew 5
The Sermon on the Mount
1Seeing the crowds,(A) he went up on the mountain, and when he(B) sat down, his disciples came to him.
The Beatitudes
2And(C) he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3(D) "Blessed are(E) the poor in spirit, for(F) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4"Blessed are(G) those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5"Blessed are the(H) meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6"Blessed are those who hunger and(I) thirst(J) for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7"Blessed are(K) the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8"Blessed are(L) the pure in heart, for(M) they shall see God.
9"Blessed are(N) the peacemakers, for(O) they shall be called(P) sons[a] of God.
10(Q) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for(R) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11(S) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely(T) on my account. 12(U) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for(V) so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
13"You are the salt of the earth,(W) but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14(X) "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15(Y) Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so(Z) that they may see your good works and(AA) give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
One thing struck me as i read the Beautitudes. There is such a contrast of things between the part before the comma (,) and the part after the comma (,) if you view it in the world's terms. From the worldly pt. of view, it will be a laughing stock. For how can one inherit the earth if one is meek? Doesn't the strong and mighty inherit the earth instead?
But not so, in God's economy of things. This reminds me about hearing this from Pastor Kay Kiong if i remembered correctly, that God's economy of things are different from the world's economy of things. So when God allows things that didn't seemed right or logical in this sense of the world, it probably make sense to consider and discern if this is God's workings indeed.
Isaiah 55: 8-9
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Another reminder was from verse 13 and 14. To remind myself that I AM the salt of the earth..I AM the light of the world. It's my identity. God did not say 'be' salt of the earth, nor did He say 'be' the light of the world. But "YOU ARE the salt of the earth...YOU ARE the light of the world"...hence did i live up to who i am? This is what i am going to live out in 2011. Not 'to be' but I already am when God says so. So...JUST DO IT!
This blog started with the journey to missions..and even though theological training didn't seemed to be part of God's plan at this point...the journey of missions continues...it will never stop till i cease to breathe...so this blog shall continue to document the wonderous works of God in my life...
It felt blissful when I sat at West Coast Park on the last day of 2010 to spend time alone...alone to reflect on 2010...to talk to God...to reflect what God has done in my life in 2010 and what He has taught me. One thing that stood out when I think about all the major happenings during 2010: Letting go...
I realised that God has been teaching me to let go in 2010. Letting go of my desire to escape and go into biblical studies, letting go of him that i shouldn't hold on to anymore, letting go of what i want and where i want to go.
Realising this 'trend' of letting go in 2010...it makes me wonder God has in mind for 2011? Is it more 'letting go'? or is it 'taking hold'? :) well, i'm excited at what He has in store...and whatever it is, i'm trusting Him and obeying Him...be it letting go or taking hold.
At the same time, I was reading Psalm 1 and felt led to read the Beautitudes in Matthew 5, as i was seeking to hear from God.
Matthew 5
The Sermon on the Mount
1Seeing the crowds,(A) he went up on the mountain, and when he(B) sat down, his disciples came to him.
The Beatitudes
2And(C) he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
3(D) "Blessed are(E) the poor in spirit, for(F) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4"Blessed are(G) those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5"Blessed are the(H) meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6"Blessed are those who hunger and(I) thirst(J) for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7"Blessed are(K) the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8"Blessed are(L) the pure in heart, for(M) they shall see God.
9"Blessed are(N) the peacemakers, for(O) they shall be called(P) sons[a] of God.
10(Q) "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for(R) theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11(S) "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely(T) on my account. 12(U) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for(V) so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Salt and Light
13"You are the salt of the earth,(W) but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.
14(X) "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15(Y) Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, so(Z) that they may see your good works and(AA) give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
One thing struck me as i read the Beautitudes. There is such a contrast of things between the part before the comma (,) and the part after the comma (,) if you view it in the world's terms. From the worldly pt. of view, it will be a laughing stock. For how can one inherit the earth if one is meek? Doesn't the strong and mighty inherit the earth instead?
But not so, in God's economy of things. This reminds me about hearing this from Pastor Kay Kiong if i remembered correctly, that God's economy of things are different from the world's economy of things. So when God allows things that didn't seemed right or logical in this sense of the world, it probably make sense to consider and discern if this is God's workings indeed.
Isaiah 55: 8-9
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the LORD.
9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Another reminder was from verse 13 and 14. To remind myself that I AM the salt of the earth..I AM the light of the world. It's my identity. God did not say 'be' salt of the earth, nor did He say 'be' the light of the world. But "YOU ARE the salt of the earth...YOU ARE the light of the world"...hence did i live up to who i am? This is what i am going to live out in 2011. Not 'to be' but I already am when God says so. So...JUST DO IT!
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