Self-psyche-up time!

As I stare out of the window into the wilderness, I saw something rather disgusting.. literally hundreds of flies, bugs, whatever insect that flies were clamouring onto the outside of my window. My guess is they were attracted to the light in my room. Some of the flies tried flying elsewhere, but thank God, there were no loop holes or else I'll be kept busy for the next 30minutes of my life spraying insecticide and sanctifying my room.



Then a thought came into my mind that, isnt it exactly what society is like today?



The people crave for fame, wealth, they long to be seen under light. We long to make our mark, be recognised by the big guns or people in general. So much for Singapore being a meritocratic society. I remember saying in an entry before and I'll say it again, that the spirit of excellence is a force to be reckoned with. Believe it or not, it can make or break a person. We've seen so much of it in dramas and movies where people get so smitten with success, that eventually they fall due to greed. Greed became their God/idol/whatever-they-worshipped. In fact there is a fine line between a genuine pursuit of excellence and having a serious obsession for fame/fortune. We need to be disciplined in our thinking. Our attitude determines our altitude! It IS important for us to be clear-cut about issues in our personal lives so that we know when enough is enough.



Excellence has to be embraced in such a way that you do not get sucked into sin.



As I listened to Adult Adolesence by Pst Kong, he mentioned that by the time every boy every girl turns 13, he or she has a basic foundation laid. And by the time every boy every girl hits 25, he or she would tend to pursue higher learning. I have no qualms about that. But beware of the danger.





As disciples of Christ, we need to have foresight to see where things are going. For that to happen, we need to see things through God's eyes. In the storms of the circumstances today, we may be like Simon-Peter and the others sitting in the boat. Lets have a look at the chain of events:



- Simon-Peter and disciples in the boat.

- Suddenly there was a storm.

- Simon-Peter and disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea towards them.

- Thought He was a ghost and were terrified.

- Simon-Peter checks the identity of Jesus by stepping out of the boat.

- Initially walked, but started to sink due to the winds.

- Jesus asks him why did he doubt.

- And there was peace when Jesus got into the boat.



I think whenever we first receive a vision of God's plan, be it short term or long term, sometimes we may not embrace it fully initially. Perhaps our lack of faith, coupled with our own inadequacies may cause us to hesitate and deliberate whether is it God's plan for us or not. We all know that if in an event if that happens, the most politically correct thing to do (or standard operating procedure) is to have faith and go and do. It is one thing to have faith, it is another to blindly do it. Then what is the point? The Word says, as a child, we talk like child, walk like a child, think like a child, but as we grow up, we put aside all these childish things. Kids ALWAYS want the world to revolve around them. In the midst of a family discussion they can always come up and say "mommy daddy! I want to go home and watch power rangers!" And of course, if the child is obedient, he/she will do what is being told. As mature believers in Christ, we need to note that, gone are the days of baby Christianity. Being mature, we need to know the purpose of what we are doing! How many of you realise that as you grow out of your kiddy years, you begin to reason and ask why do you have to do certain things? Thats precisely what I'm talking about.





Then comes part 2. They always say pride comes before fall. If I were Peter, I'd probably think 'WAH like that also can. I can do this man!', when I take my first few steps. In every ministry, relationship, business, academic year, morale is always very high. Just like when you receive your vision, you're pumped. you start making plans, arrangements. And of course, everything goes well. initially. Then the bigger storms of life hits and you start to sink. Aside from the issues on earth, we have to keep our eyes fixated on Jesus. Peter was probably dealt with a blow so great that he thought he was going to drown! He probably wondered if this was even God's call for his life! I believe many of us have been placed in such a situation before, and being human, we're bound to falter. Yet Jesus encourages Peter 'Be of good cheer! It is I, do not be afraid.' Sometimes circumstances can prove to be so overwhelmingly disappointing when we expect to do well because of the excellence put into it. So much so, that we fail to see a very basic fact that every believer should know.

With God, all things are possible.


Coming back to the flies, even if the window stays shut. Do they still linger? Yes, they do. They keep pressing on, waiting until the window of opportunity opens. And how would they know when the window opens? Just like us Christians reply when asked how do you know when God is moving, they know that they know that they know. So, do not be discouraged if nothing seems to be going for you.

IF EVEN FLIES CAN PRESS ON UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENS.. What more us humans?

IF FLIES CAN HAVE A MENTALITY TO GIVE THEIR BEST SHOT IN ALL THAT THEY DO, What more us humans?

And we are supposed to have dominion over every creature, insect, bird, animal on this earth! Dont worry, you are definitely not dumber than a mere fly. I have full confidence in you. (Flies get swatted dead by me quite often, and they dont move even when I'm this close to killing them.) So guys, the take-home message for this entry: endurance goes hand in hand with excellence.


Back to the world now, I STILL do NOT intend to open my windows and let them come in. HAHA. Oh the irony!