I'm sure you know how we are always afraid of the unknowns. We all fear the future because it's just this huge black hole before us. The world is dark, like a cave, and we can't see where to go, not knowing what lies ahead. We often worry and fret about tomorrow because we just don't know what to expect. Yes, sometimes it can be very predictable especially when it comes to routines in life, but there are always areas that we can never fully be prepared for. That is why Man came up with the idea of insurance. A safety net just in case something bad happens.
And then God comes into the picture. With Him, life is a little less of a gamble because He comes and shows us the way. He lights up the darkness before us, revealing the paths and steps we should take. With Him, we have assurance that we have a future, a sure path that we can take and not just jump blindly.
But even then, if you notice, God doesn't always light up the full path. He mostly just illuminates the parts directly before us, like a few steps ahead. It's like us holding a torchlight. The light only reaches a few steps or metres ahead. Things beyond that is still dark. We can't see beyond that which is just around us. And that becomes a frustration a lot of the time. We want answers, yet God seems to be deliberately holding information, forcing us to walk by faith, taking things every few steps at a time. But so many times, we are afraid to take those steps. We want to see more ahead before we embark on the journey, forcing us to remain stagnant there in the same spot.
This is where we need to step out, and exercise our faith to take the first steps. You see, although a torchlight only has a limited throw of light, that distance travels with us as we move forward. With every step, another step get illuminated. So if we take five steps forward, a further five steps will be illuminated. So here, we need to take the first step with God too. He'll light our path to what He deems fit, and as we move forward, He'll continue to light up more and more of our path ahead. So will you take that first step of faith?
Heard this awesome song today. And I totally love it now. There’s so much meaning in the lyrics, and the arrangement and music is really nice. Here, listen first. Then we dwell deeper.
Hello my friend
I remember when you were
So alive with your wide eyes
Then the light that you had in your heart was stolen
Now you say that it ain't worth stayin'
You wanna run but you're hesitatin'
I'm talkin' to me
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
‘Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found
So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it
There's a girl on the streets, she's cryin'
There's a man whose faith is dyin'
Love is calling you
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
‘Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found
Why do we go with the flow
Or take an easier road?
Why are we playin' it safe?
Love came to show us the way
Love is a chance we should take
I'm movin' out of the way
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
‘Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
(Stand out)
Don't let your lights go down
Don't let your fire burn out
(Stand out)
‘Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don't you rise up now?
Don't be afraid to stand out
That's how the lost get found
The lost get found
So when you get the chance
Are you gonna take it?
There's a really big world at your fingertips
And you know you have the chance to change it...
Verse 1:
True isn’t it? We always start out in our walk with God full of passion. We feel so gung-ho, like we can go change the world for Him. But after time, things get in the way, and we lose that fire. So many times we want to leave, just give up. But somewhere deep in your heart you know it’s real, God’s real, and hesitate to leave it all. I know I’ve felt that way.
Chorus:
It's an encouragement and a challenge at the same time. For one, keep the faith, don’t give up on it. It’s for you. Then at the same time, it’s for others. People do observe you, look up to you. And they are looking to you to see what you would do, and if you would reach out to them. A lot of times we forget that. We forget about how people need other people to believe in something. To be honest, many people are searching for God. They may seem to deny it, down play that fact. But deep down inside, we’re all hurting, and we all want to find God. And they will look to His followers since they supposedly know Him. They want to know if you will really be like Jesus and reach out to them, welcome them. They want, maybe even need, someone to show them Jesus, be Jesus to them, besides just showing the way to Jesus. Now that would indeed be a reason to believe. What are we doing about it? We read and hear of so many people loosing interest and rejecting God because of what His “followers” are doing, treating them. Where do you and I stand in this? Will we rise up out of that self-centred mentality and be Jesus to these people? When we do that, we will definitely stand out, because we’re different when we follow His footsteps. And when we bring Jesus to these people, “that’s how the lost get found.”
Verse 2:
Love the question. Will we take it if the chance arises? To be different and help others out of love? Like the lyrics say, people are hurting, for various reasons. Love is calling out to us to do something. We who have known Love need to bring that love to others.
Bridge:
A question we should ask ourselves perhaps? Seems like we always take that road, to not live out loud. Many reasons we can give. I think we can just condense it all into one word, selfishness. Being too preoccupied with “Me” we don’t see them, or what God sees for the matter. We even make God revolve around “Me” sometimes. Our conversations with Him are about “Me”. The second part of the bridge is so true. Love came, so that we may know Love. Jesus came and showed us the way to God, prepared the way so we may know Him. And that should be what we are doing too. Showing others the way to Love by showing love.
So, like how the song ends, when you get the chance, are you gonna take it? We have the opportunity to change our world, however small it may seem to us now, it’s still a step taken. Will you and I live our faith out loud?
(Live it out)
(Live it out. Live it out)
(Oh yeah)
Imagine this
I get a phone call from Regis -
he says "Do you want to be a millionaire?"
They put me on a show and I win with two lifelines to spare
Picture this I act like nothing ever happened
and bury all the money in a coffee can
Well, I've been given more than Regis ever gave away
I was a dead man who was called to come out of my grave
I think it's time for makin' some noise
Wake the neighbours, get the word out
Come on, crank up the music, climb a mountain and shout
This is life we’ve been given, made to be lived out
So la, la, la, la, live out loud
Live out loud, yeah
Think about this
Try to keep a bird from singing after
it's soared up in the sky
Give the sun a cloudless day and tell it not to shine
Think about this
If we really have been given
the gift of life that will never end
And if we have been filled with living hope, we're gonna overflow
And if God's love is burning in our hearts, we're gonna glow
There's just no way to keep it in
Wake the neighbours, get the word out
Come on, crank up the music, climb a mountain and shout
This is life we’ve been given, made to be lived out
So la, la, la, la, live out loud
Live out loud
Everybody
La, la, la...la, la, la, la...la, la, la, live out loud
(I wanna hear everybody sing)
La, la, la...la, la, la, la ...la, la, la, live out loud (loud, loud)
Every corner of creation is a living declaration
Come join the song we were made to sing
Wake the neighbours, get the word out
Come on, crank up the music, climb a mountain and shout
This is life we’ve been given, made to be lived out
So la, la, la, la, live out loud
(Wake the neighbours) Get the word out (get the word out)
Come on, crank up the music, climb a mountain and shout
This is life we’ve been given, made to be lived out
So la, la, la, la, live out loud
La, la, la... la, la, la, la... (Live out loud)
La, la, la, live out loud (Yeah yeah)
La, la, la... (Wake the neighbours)
La, la, la, la... (Get the word out)
La, la, la live out loud
(I want to wake the neighbours, I got to get the word out)
La, la, la... (Wake the neighbours)
La, la, la, la... (Get the word out)
(We got to get the get the word out, about His love...)
When you realise you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.
Billy Crystal, When Harry Met Sally
Came across this quote in Reader's Digest the other day. And as usual, it's gotten me thinking. We all do want love don't we? And as young people, we especially want to be loved by that special someone. As we grow into adulthood, we begin to be attracted to people of the opposite gender. Our bodies begin to change and hormones begin to rage. Suddenly, girls don't seem so disgusting anymore for guys, and guys aren't gross anymore for girls. Funny isn't it? Guys used to hate girls and girls hated guys. Then they grow up and now they cannot keep their eyes off each other.
Our need for love sometimes leads us into thinking things too much. Some people I've met are just so obsessed with getting a girlfriend or boyfriend, that it just seems like that's the only thing on their minds. I know, it's part of growing up to want to find that special someone. Even I want that too. But why let loose and run wild? Why let feelings and hormones be the thing in control of your life? Why run the risk of messing a decent relationship or friendship up just because you want to have a romantic relationship, and possibly loose even that friendship in the process? Not everyone you're attracted to is supposed to be that special someone. Why not wait for the right one, the one God has intended, and not try out with everyone, only to find that they are not the one? Why pick up so many sour memories in the search of sweet memories?
Not that I'm downplaying love. I mean, if you really do find the one, and your relationship is strong, then by all means, go for it. We need real love stories. But we get so caught up with what we perceive as good love stories, those portrayed in the media, in novels, movies and on television, that we forget what love really is. Is it really love that we're experiencing? Or is it just mere emotions?
Young people can be very rash at making decisions. I am no exception. A lot of times we just jump in, not really thinking about the consequences. And sometimes that just brings us a lot of unnecessary hurt and pain. Yes, we get attracted to people and think they are the one right away. But is he or she really the right one? How can you be so sure? Have you really checked it out with others, with God? Or is it just our longing for love and we convince ourselves that she's the one. Like the quote says, we want the rest of our life to start now, as soon as possible. We want things quick. But that's where danger lies in relationships. Too often we just jump in too soon that we don't have the foundations set properly. Relationships need investments. It needs time to work on. Have we spent enough time and effort in the relationship so that it will last? Or are we being selfish, wanting it quick for ourselves, our satisfaction?
Why settle for something now, something that isn't the best, when we can wait for the best? The English phrase says, "Good things come to those who wait." And this especially holds true when it comes to relationships. God has great plans for your future (see. Jeremiah 29:11), especially in the area of relationships. In fact, God made relationships. He was the one who established marriage and the union of man and woman (see Genesis 2:18-25). Check out Song of Songs too. You'll be surprised what's in there about love between man and woman. Peculiar at times, but you get what they are saying. What's most important, is that God has His best interest for you in your relationships. He wants you to have the very best. Proverbs 18:22 says "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favour from the Lord." I want a good wife. She's a good thing =) There even is a passage in Proverbs about what to look for in a wife. Check out the whole of Proverbs 31. Now that is a girl worth fighting for. Very capable, loving, kind, cares for the family and household, wise, and most importantly, loves God. I would love to have a wife like that and love her with all my heart.
So why rush into things again? Take your time to get to know people. Why jump straight into something that big with eye's almost shut, when you can get there more slowly and surely, in one piece and not pieces? Heed the advice Songs of Songs. Do not arouse or awaken love until it so desires (Chapter 2 verse 7). I'm going to wait for the one God intends for me. And when that time comes and God reveals her to me, I pray for the faith, strength, courage and tenacity to pursue her with all I've got, and the love to love and cherish her with all my heart, just like how God loves her. In the meantime, I'm going to get to know more people and build genuine and honest friendships and relationships. What about you? =)
Keep your eyes wide open before marriage, half shut after.
Benjamin Franklin
On the way into this world, our soul was born in two
Searching for you, I been searching for you
Where ya been, where ya running to
Where ya got to go, what ya got to do
Don't care where we're going, just wanna be with you
Put your head on my shoulder, tell me what you've been through
When I lose my focus, you remind me of the Truth
Lift us up to the heavens, for a birds eye view
One woman for me
Other half of my soul, you're my queen
One woman for me
Other half of my soul, roots of my tree
We could forget about Galus for a while, our troubles for a while
Sometimes I look at you and just smile, sit in the park and just laugh all day
Sometimes I just lose it with the things that you say, waiting by the subway
But we missed the train, well take the next one if you can pull me away
Keep me cool down to earth, and no anxiety
Stay modest with the humble heart always
One woman for me
Other half of my soul, you're my queen
One woman for me
Other half of my soul, roots of my tree
We don't need no umbrella when we're walking in the rain
Sunlight or clouds, it's all the same
Don't need no umbrella, when we're walking in the rain
So smart and sharp, oh so lovely
And a beauty shine bright, yes you're there for me
Keep the ways of our fathers, how it use to be
Moving forward, don't mean erase our history
Look to your ways, and see a girl who wants to do the right thing
Dedicated to a life, bigger than you or me
Build a temple in our hearts, for His Majesty
Stay simple, serve God, and keep our deeds clean
One woman for me
Other half of my soul, you're my queen
One woman for me
Other half of my soul, roots of my tree
Some people seriously ask, "Where is God?" Maybe a better question would be "Where isn't God?" His fingerprints are all over our world. Or maybe it's His world, and they're our fingerprints.
Rob Bell, Nooma 03 Trees.
Was just watching this video today. Just felt that I should get myself fed. And so I opened the video. Was at the third one, Trees. And man, it is a good video. Talks about how Christianity should be about living life now, and not just a ticket to a better place after the now has passed. Good stuff, you should go watch it.
The quote above is a line from the video. Rob Bell opens the video with a question, of whether our world is supposed to be the way it is now, or is there something wrong. Then he goes on to say that most of it, is actually our choice. And if you think about it, it’s true. God have given us the choice to live how we want to live. Lots of problems we see now is because we have chosen to live the way we want, not the way He made us to be. Earth’s problems like global warming, deforestation, extinction? Man’s unscrupulous works to make our lives comfortable at the expense of others, the earth, animals and plants. Then there’s social issues in humanity. Poverty, hunger, slavery? Also Man’s unscrupulous acts to benefit themselves at the cost of other people’s lives. To live comfortably, exploiting others so selfishly. Injustice, corruption? Again, Man’s unscrupulous ways to pervert justice to fill their own pockets. Again and again, you see the selfishness, the self-centeredness in all this. Living life for ourselves.
I think Rob Bell put it rather poetically and succinctly when he said, “maybe it’s His world, and they’re our fingerprints.” We’ve put our fingerprints all over His creation, meddling with it in so many ways we shouldn’t. Who gave us the right to abuse another person, a fellow human, for our own gain? Is it right? Then what about the environment and the whole of earth? In Genesis 1:26, God gave us dominion over the earth to take care of it, not to exploit it beyond boundaries. Genesis 2:15, The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. We should be taking care of it responsibly, not unscrupulously.
So let’s ask ourselves, what have we been doing with what He’s made for us? Are we doing the right thing with it? Or have we been too preoccupied with ourselves in all this that we neglect our duty to Him and His creation. Like Rob Bell said, our faith in God and relationship with God, shouldn’t wait for the next life, the New Heaven and Earth after the end of days. But it is for now, in the reality of God now.
Followers of Jesus are people who are committed to partnering with God to make this world, the world that we all live in, the kind of place that God originally intended it to be. In Jesus precise words, we’re learning to love each other as we love ourselves. A follower of Jesus is somebody who’s living, and they're never going to stop living.
And to Rob Bell’s hope for the viewers at the end of his video, to it I say, “Amen....”
P.S. To those who don't have the video, here it is on YouTube, with Portuguese subtitles. Part 1. Part 2.
P.P.S. For Victorians of Victoria Institution KL, yes I know, I've used the word unscrupulous many times. It's the perfect word la. Reminds you of someone right? Hahaha.
P.P.P.S. And to KBU students, I think I'm getting someone's habit of saying, "Ask yourselves a question." , just it's ourselves. Hahaha.
A vessel that's full can only receive so much. But a vessel constantly emptied for others can be filled many times over....
Ele Musael
We all want to be blessed. It’s a natural thing to want good things to happen to us. And it’s perfectly fine to ask for good things. In fact, God promises us that if we follow His ways, He will bless us. Psalms 20:4 He will give you your heart’s desire and carry out all your plans.” And so there’s nothing wrong with blessings.
However, sometimes, we just want to take and keep taking. A lot of us have come into this culture where we never give back and bless other people. We just want to stay at the receiving end of blessing and never be on the giving side. We have become selfish. We take and take, and ask for more. And so we become fat, spiritually fat from just taking in all the blessings. Sometimes even physically fat, financially fat, and all the other ways we can be fat. Instead of outreach we in-reach.
Sometimes, God blesses us so we can bless others. There is not greater joy, than to bring joy to others. Sometimes, after just being a receiver of blessing, we wonder where all our joy went. What we don’t realise is, that perhaps we have abundance, to give to those who do not have that. Ever wondered why the church now isn’t as vibrant or as powerful as it was in the times of Acts? Maybe it’s because we have not been doing what they have. Some things we do, like meeting up, studying the Word, encouraging one another, praying for one another. But one crucial thing that, I feel, we are not doing is to provide to the needs of those around us. The people of Acts always provided for the needy of their time. Acts 4: 34, 35 There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. The task of providing to those in need was given so much weight, that the twelve disciples appointed seven people, who were full of the Holy Spirit and of wisdom, to carry out that task, so that the twelve can concentrate on the spiritual needs of the people.
What about us now? Yes, we do care for the needs of others in some ways. We do pray for the needy. We do help out here and there. But I feel we can do more. We can play a more active role than we have. All this time we have been mainly passive. And because of that, we are not making that active impact.
We also talk a lot about desiring what God desire. To have on our heart, what His heart is for. Now, didn’t Jesus say that we should love our neighbour as ourselves? What would that also imply? Love should result in action, should it not? And one way love shows itself is through our giving. We have so much in so many ways. We have time, talents, and for some, financial blessings. Where are those going to? Are we making good use of them? What have our mindsets become? We have become lazy, when it comes to reaching out to others, being active in our giving. And it is bad for us. Proverbs 21:25, 26 The desire of a lazy person will kill him because his hands refuse to work. All day long he feels greedy, but a righteous person gives and does not hold back. Now, take a moment. Where do you stand? Where do we stand?
You know, there are many times we fear letting go of things we have so much. We worry and fear that when we give, we won’t have enough. And because of that, we hold on so tightly to what is in our hand. But like I have said, if we just keep what we have to ourselves, we will eventually become a full vessel. And when something is full, it can no longer take anymore. Just like a cup, our hands have a limit to what we can hold. By just holding on because we are afraid of losing what’s in there, we eventually won’t have space to take in anymore. But if from our abundance, we give to others, emptying our vessels for others, we create room for more, to be filled again. And again. And again, with greater measure and greater things.
I’ll end with this verse from Proverbs 11.
23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good;the expectation of the wicked in wrath.
24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.
25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,and one who waters will himself be watered.
I’m currently reading a book called the Love Revolution by Joyce Meyers, with contributions by John Maxwell, Tommy Barnett, Paul Scanlon, Darlene Zschech and Martin Smith. Sadly, I’m not done with the book yet. So many things to learn from, and just let it sink into my heart. When I’m done, and you’d like to have a read, let me know if you know me personally. I wouldn’t mind letting you have a read. Even better if you get one yourself of course. But borrow from me if you like.
I was going through the section written by John C. Maxwell, when I chanced upon this interesting story. And I’d like to share that.
Years ago I came across a piece about someone who fell into a pit and couldn’t get out-and how others treated that person:
A subjective person came along and said, “I feel for you down there.”
An objective person came along and said, “Well, it’s logical that someone would fall down there.”
A Pharisee said, “Only bad people fall into pits.”
A mathematician calculated how the individual fell into the pit.
A news reporter wanted an exclusive story on the person in the pit.
A fundamentalist said, “You deserve your pit.”
A Calvinist said, “If you’d been saved, you’d never fallen in that pit.”
An Armenian said, “You were saved and still fell in that pit.”
A charismatic said, “Just confess that you’re not in that pit.”
A realist came along and said, “Now that’s a pit.”
A geologist told him to appreciate the rock strata in the pit.
An IRS worker asked if he was paying taxes on this pit.
The county inspector asked if he had a permit to dig the pit.
A self-pitying person said, “You haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen my pit.”
An optimist said, “Things could be worse."
A pessimist said, "Things will get worse."
Jesus, seeing the man, reached down and took him by the hand and lifted him out of the pit.
Take a moment and think about it. Compare what everyone and Jesus did. I’m sure all the other people had good intentions and wanted to help the poor man, though some we don’t see how it’s helping (like the Pharisee). But was all that they did what the poor chap needed? Jesus on the other hand saw the need, and delivered what that man needed most.
In our own lives, what are we doing when we see someone in need? We feel for the person at times, but then what do we do? I’ve found that we’re very free with advice sometimes, and we can go on talking and talking, giving loads of advice (which are good advice sometimes, while sometimes it could also be useless). But, ask yourself, does the person really need so much advice? Is it what the person really need? Perhaps it is actually something else, something more practical. Something that involves sacrifice and work. One reason I think we gravitate to just giving advice is because it’s free. There’s not much sacrifice and work with giving advice. But to care for the injured like the Good Samaritan in Jesus’ parable costs us. It cost the Samaritan his time tending to the wounds, the comfort of riding his animal, and money to pay the inn keeper, as well as the resources like oil and wine to clean the wounds. And in our own acts of trying to help others, it will probably also cost us something. Time, talents, effort, money, possessions, any of these. Time in just being there for people, listening to them pour their heart out while being silent listening, just assurances that we're listening and not giving advice not needed. Making people feel appreciated with a word of encouragement or a small gesture of thanks. Or it could be projects that will involve more than just one of the above, with time, effort and money invested.
Let’s ask ourselves a question. Are we really helping others with what they really need? Or are we just beating around the bush doing what we think is helping them, when what they really need is someone to reach out their hand and help them out of the pit?
I watched Cirque du Freak: The Vampire’s Assistant some time ago. One line from the movie stuck out to me.
*Spoiler warning. If you don't like spoilers, please watch the movie first before reading the following post*
Towards the end of the movie, the main character of the movie needs to drink blood to gain strength so he can fight the enemy. His interest, a monkey girl, offers him her blood for that very reason. However, he is reluctant to do so because he fears he will lose the last bit of him that is still human. Then, she says these words:
Being human is not about what you are, but who you are.
And it stuck with me. So often times, we have allowed ourselves to be defined by what we are. We make the circumstances that make us what we are, over shadow the who that we are. For example, what the the common replies that people say about themselves? One would be what they work as. It’s even in the sentence structure. The sentence would go “I am a doctor,” for example. Or “I am a teacher.” We have let the occupation, define the person. What we do, makes us who we are, and not who we are that makes us do what we do.
Another example. We have many stereotypes for people. We have the nerds, the sporty type, the outcasts, etc. Each, we let their habits or activities define who they are to us. If someone likes to study we label him or her as a nerd. Is someone is into sports we then label him as the jock. Then there’s the emo-s, the goths, and all the other labels we make. Defining people by what they are, and not who they are. Stereotyping.
Now, sometimes it seems just fine to do so. I mean, it helps us recognise people. We instantly recognise who the topic of conversation is when people mention their stereotypical characteristics. But if that’s all we see to them, then I think we’re losing out on getting to know some awesome people. People just don’t always are who they appear to be. What they are, isn’t who they are. Some people who seem all so cool and popular, may just be total jerks, or just not as fun as we think. And those who we think just couldn’t be fun and are just bland, may just be among the most fun and awesome people we could ever know. Or some who we think are just superficial and have no substance, may just be deep wells overflowing with insight and can have deep conversations with. Or the person who you thought you could never be friends with, then finding out they are among the best friends you could ever have. Are we forsaking getting to know people for who they are because of what we think they are?
Now let’s go deeper. On a deeper level, it is still true that being human is not just about being born a human. There are monsters in human skin. Just because you are a homo sapien, doesn’t mean you are a man (or woman). If you act like a total jerk, or an animal, or worst still a total whacko, you aren’t really human anymore. Where’s the traits like logic, compassion, love, that makes us human? We are human because we possess those. The ability to think above just the natural instincts to survive, to ponder the expanse of the universe, and the wonderful gift of life. The appreciation and awe for the beauty of creation and the creative spirit of man. The ability to feel, not just our own emotions, but also the emotions of others. To be a real community, that supports and encourages one another, who mourn and weep together, and congratulates and celebrates together. And above all, to realise and live out love, and to have a real relationship with one another and with our Creator. If we lose all that, are we still humans, even if we belong to the species?
So think about it. Are we really who we are, not letting the what take precedence over the who? Are we putting images over people that hide the real them from us? What does the quote speak to you about?
Being human is not about what you are, but who you are.
This post came about by me stumbling upon a single quote by Martin Luther King Jr. After some quote searching, I found the others. The man had said many things that I find are very applicable to our current situation. These quotes are taken from multiple speeches. I have arranged them in hopes that it would flow together.
Our scientific power has outrun our spiritual power. We have guided missiles and misguided men.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction.
Have we not come to such an impasse in the modern world that we must love our enemies - or else? The chain reaction of evil - hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars - must be broken, or else we shall be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation.
Like an unchecked cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true.
That old law about 'an eye for an eye' leaves everybody blind. The time is always right to do the right thing.
Nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time; the need for mankind to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to oppression and violence. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.
Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it.
It is not enough to say we must not wage war. It is necessary to love peace and sacrifice for it.
Nonviolence means avoiding not only external physical violence but also internal violence of spirit. You not only refuse to shoot a man, but you refuse to hate him.
Let no man pull you low enough to hate him.
Never succumb to the temptation of bitterness.
Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.
The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers.
We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.
I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made straight and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.
Words of wisdom from a man who gave his life fighting against injustice with love. So people, like he said, hate will just bring everyone down. Let us not hate. Christians especially, let us follow the lead of Jesus Christ. Let us love one another. Don't let anyone pull you low enough to hate. Let us not be bitter. Mankind must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love. Who better to show us how than Love Himself?
This song seems to be rather appropriate at this moment with what has been going on. It presents a challenge, as well as a good line of action. I will explain further after the song.
Falling on my knees in worship
Giving all I am to seek Your face
Lord all I am is Yours
My whole life
I place in Your hands
God of Mercy
Humbled I bow down
In Your presence at Your throne
I called, You answered
And You came to my rescue and I,
Wanna be where You are
My whole life
I place in Your hands
God of Mercy
Humbled I bow down
In Your presence at Your throne
I called, You answered
And You came to my rescue and I,
Wanna be where You are
I called, You answered
And You came to my rescue and I,
Wanna be where You are
In my life be lifted high
In our world be lifted high
In our love be lifted high
Higher, higher
In my life be lifted high
In our world be lifted high
In our love be lifted high
Higher, higher
In my life be lifted high
In our world be lifted high
In our love be lifted high
I called, You answered
And You came to my rescue and I,
Wanna be where You are
Falling on my knees in worship
This is the time that we should be falling on our knees, in prayer and in worship. Even in times like this, when things seem uncertain, we should worship Him, because He deserves all our praise. We need to declare sometimes, of who He is, and with that, build our faith and trust in Him. And of course, we need to pray too, and to seek His direction.
Giving all I am to seek Your face
Lord all I am is Yours
My whole life
I place in Your hands
God of Mercy
Humbled I bow down
In Your presence at Your throne
Will we give all we are to seek His face in times like this? Will we say, that all we are is His? Place our lives into His hands. Commit ourselves to Him. Humbled, we lay ourselves down at His presence, at His throne, surrendering ourselves into His hands, because we know He will deliver us. Will we do that? Do we have that faith to believe that He is in control, that He will protect and guide us, comfort us, see us through the storms?
I called, You answered
And You came to my rescue and I,
Wanna be where You are
The first part is in past tense. It means that we have seen Him come through before. Let us have faith that He will do it again when we call on His name. The second part, is a challenge. Will we want to be where He is? Do we want to be lead by Him, to respond the way He wants us to respond in the current situation? Again, will we seek after Him, to the place that He is?
And this is how we should respond:
In my life be lifted high
In our world be lifted high
In our love be lifted high
Let Him be lifted high in our lives. Let us show that He is real in our lives. And to point to Him in all our actions and ways, in the way we respond. Lift Him high in our world. He reigns here, and so let's declare it together that He does, that He is in control. Lift Him high in this situation. Lift Him high in our nation. And in our love, lift Him high. Let us show God's love. Let us obey His command to love our enemies. To love them, the way Jesus loves them. Let our love, reflect His love. And in doing so, may He be lifted high and glorified. And the world will know, that He is real. And that we are His.
P.S. More good stuff to read here, and here. *Click*
Again, this post is rather random and sudden. But I feel the real gut feeling that I need to post this up.
I've been going through the blogs of some people I know, and learnt that some people have been going through some stuff. Don't we all though? It's the new years, and many of us take this as a time of reflection besides the celebrations. And 2009 would mean a lot of things for a lot of people. Some more fortunate would say it was a good year for them. For others, it could be the year they would rather forget. For me, the year is a mix of good and bad, in our own terms. Good because I've seen and learnt so much. I've seen people grow, and how God has moved so mightily in my life and in the lives of others. Bad because there was some bitter and painful moments. But isn't every year also sprinkled with bad experiences? There is no perfect year. It will always be a mixture of good and bad.
This song goes out to those that 2009 has been a painful year. It is also for those who are facing painful situations right now, wherever those situations may be. At home, at school, at college, at work, wherever. It is a good reminder, that there is always a brand new day. A new hope, especially when that hope is focused on the Constant in life, Jesus Christ. His unfailing love endures forever. He is the one hope that will never fade. It's up to you to hold on to it.
I'm waking up
The world is turning
The sun is shining again
I'm holding on
To things I shouldn't
It's time to let them go
I've been on a losing streak
Hit so hard I couldn't speak
But when I hear Your voice it fades away
And I can hear You say
It's a brand new day
The pain goes away
And I'm headed for the door
And I'm going home (I'm going home)
I'm going home (I'm going home)
Your love, it burns
Away my darkness
You guide me when I'm blind
You are the light
That shines inside me
Showing me I'm
So much more
When I've been on a losing streak
Hit so hard I couldn't speak
But when I hear Your voice it fades away
And I can hear You say
It's a brand new day
The pain goes away
And I'm headed for the door
And I'm going home (I'm going home)
I'm going home (I'm going home)
Take me into Your arms
My home lies within
In Your heart
And I can hear You say
It's a brand new day
And I can hear You say
It's a brand new day
The pain goes away
And I'm headed for the door
And I can hear You say
It's a brand new day
The pain goes away
And I'm headed for the door
And now I'm going home (I'm going home)
I'm going home (I'm going home)
I'm going home (I'm going home)
I'm going home (I'm going home)
So, to everyone out there who is hurting, or going through tough situations, or had a painful and tough 2009, I tell you this. It's a brand new day. It is all in the past. We cannot change what has already happened. But we have tomorrow to look forward to. Again I say, it's a brand new day. The pain goes away. Listen to His voice, that tells you "It's a brand new day." Sing like the vocalist, to "Take me in Your arms." Hope is calling out to you. Will you make you home in His heart? The heart that is bigger than all your problems, all your issues, all your challenges. A heart over flowing with love for all mankind. And you specifically.
It's time to let go, of the things that we hold on to that we shouldn't. Let go of the pain and the hurt. And embrace the love of Christ. Let's head for the door, and go home. (Now with that I DO NOT mean that we commit suicide, just to make it clear. Life's too precious to waste it like that.)
Will you make your home in His heart? I know I have. And it is an awesome feeling to have such a great hope. I pray you find it too. The sun is shining again. It's a brand new day. Hello New Day. Hello 2010. I know you will be great, for Greater Things have yet to come....
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