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i haven't blogged for more than a week! i was away for the youthnet 144 re-encounter for the past long weekend and it had been a truly great time of resting and listening from God.
the theme was 'returning to the roots of our faith' and the highlight of it was the passover feast that we observed on sunday night.
i thought i gotta pen down my reflections quickly before they fade into a distant memory...
REFLECTIONS
1. leaving Egypt, and stepping into the Promised Land
Egypt was a land where the Israelites were enslaved and ill-treated for 400+ years and God blessed them and provided a way of Egypt and into the Promised Land, to free the Israelites from all of their suffering, because they have been God's chosen ppl. But as the journey into the Promised Land went on, the people started to complain and started to compare their current situation with that of Egypt. They said that they would rather return to Egypt than to suffer out here. And they aimed their anger and frustrations at God.
that happened because they have lost the big picture. they have lost sight of their destination. but more than that, their spirits were still in Egypt. it takes effort to break out of a routine that you are fixed in everyday. And most times, if not every, we will miss certain episodes of life that were part of the old routine, e.g. serving national service and studying in tampines jc for me, even though those were some of the crappiest times in my life and i hated them. it is in human nature to reminisce, but over-indulging into the (old or sinful) past will most be due to the fact that the person may not have left Egypt
Imagine God is going to choose you to be the world's best artist, doctor, musician or whatever, and He's going to give you all the help that you will need. how do you think that is going to happen? He can make you immediately into one, like a cinderella, but do you think that's how God works? What kind of values will He be teaching if He did that? I'd think that He'll will put you into tough intensive training and tons of practice to reach the goal and at the same time, you will have to constantly be reminded of the bigger picture that God has for you, and take delight in His presence.
2. We are children, not slaves.
A slave works for his master because he knows that if he doesn't, he's going to die
A servant works for his wages, and will work only if or as long as he is paid.
A child simply desires to please his father and put a smile on his face.
I have also questioned the attitude that I have been putting on while serving God. I have forgotten that I am His adopted son and not a miserly boss or cruel master...
3. Deception and settling for less.
On the way to the Promised Land, some Israelites left the traveling pack and settled down to start their homes.
They were freed from slavery and may have tasted happiness, but they did not end up in the Promised Land that is definitely much better. They didn't press on and didn't experience the full glory of God. Difficulties cannot be simply put off as closed doors every time, but one would have to keep the big picture in mind and remember the greater plans that God has.
It was also really a blessing to get to know a few more new friends and it was even more enjoyable to work in helping to set up in the programme with amos in charge, together with kelvin, joshua ee and guang rong... we spent so many hours folding all those paper frogs!! and thanks to teck horng who made welcoming strangers a really fun experience... muahaha!!
teck horng and the bodhi aka body tree
so many paper frogs....and i think the hotel service is really m-standard man... the cutlery that is on our tables are usually used and stained already!! disgusting!! and the porters seem to be paid to chat among themselves... shrugs man... malaysia truly asia siah...!!
