Cny

I am now back from Chinese New Year. Not sure why this is written and for whom it is written, it would be good to record a glimpse of everything. 

A lot of pending tasks require my attention, from research and teaching to church fellowship. One most memorable thing I had done during the new year is perhaps connecting with friends who happened to share the same faith as I do. We ask each other, encourage and uplift the spirit, knowing that God has indeed called His children to salvation and eternity. The path was tough, in fact, it was a dead end for us. If it wasn't God's grace, I would have been long dead. I always remembering myself with that sentence. 

I treasure my walk with God. My belief in Jesus Christ does not only rescue and comfort my soul, It helps me to understand and make sense of the inequity surrounding me i.e. Why I am physically weak while others can afford a lifestyle so fascinating yet has no problem maintaining it. It also helps me to understand why I am put in my family, who I am really and what is the purpose of achieving high education, good income, love, family, houses and living to the ripe old age. 

The Lord is gracious. Whatever He has planned, He has the power and authority to see it happen. My plan will not always prevail, in fact whatever things I have planned could not be effective without the direction of author of life. Well. How did I do that? I can't explain, it is mysterious yet with confidence I would say God is preparing me for the things to come. 

The things to come I am saying, are referring to life changing, dramatic experience. I am very concerned of His second coming, but I can't talk about it publicly. Also, being on the battlefield for long, it is saddened to tell that almost none I had found share the same amount of God's affection as I do. It is sometimes distressing to fight alone. God's will or not I have no conclusion. But Paul did that. And Jesus only live for 33.5 years. Haha

If I have power, I want all of them to be saved. My family, friends, and the beloved, of whom I benefit the most from physically well fed, emotionally filled and spiritually nurtured. But what I've seen is disappointing. They are too worldly, and just like sheep they are too easily wandered to false doctrines (teaching that is pleasing to their ears), wolves (friends who bring them far from Christ), and even brethren (the believers whom their deeds need better reflection of what Christ has called then to be). 

What can I do? Due to age superiority and social hierarchy, I can't achieve much with small voice. Neither my patience and tolerance helps them to realise their need of Christ. If only the barriers can be broken, that is, the heavy hearts of men and their pride. 

After enjoying a week holiday at Bintulu, I did not get myself a plate of kampua, nor did I agree with the worldly custom to be held every year (try to find one occasion in the Bible of what happens to -and what it means by celebrating new year, as well as what God says about observing these things). What I treasure more is the bond of relationship among friends and relatives, and it is my desire that  the fellowship shall not be polluted by gossips and backstabbing, which until today the things had not gone better, but worse. I would say, a foundation without Christ would constitute much problem, including a marriage relationship. 

So, happy Chinese new year. May God find you and make your heart fully committed to Him. And may I always choose to honour God in everything I do, be it abstinence from worldly practice, or loneliness in defending the truth. We can twist His word as much as we want, but we cannot mock the justice of God. 

And to you, whom I loved so much. Like the English idiom says, so close and yet so far. Let's hope that our relationship will be like with Jesus,

so far, yet so close.