"No one may claim the name Christian and be comfortable in the face of hunger, homelessness, insecurity, and injustice found in this country and in the world."
There is a strange detachment I felt being in midst of the Wenchuan Earthquake even though I was in China. It might be the over-dosage of propaganda, the fanning of notes in front of the donation boxes before the camera, the silliness of the media coverage on how entertainment stars are contributing to the relief. But my nagging suspicion is that the sum of all that is nowhere near the ignorance of disaster for the spoilt Singaporean, or the cold calculating cynical critic within.
This self-awareness when revealed before Him, is thankfully a sobering correction tool that our Father uses. Though still a far cry from our compassionate Lord Jesus, I pray these thoughts He has left circling will lead to transformation, wisdom and love. Just to share some of this "medicine" He has given me.
Pill #1 - I think it’s His grace that He has humbled the China with this quake. In midst of all the Olympic hype, the growing economic powerhouse, the dragon that is awaiting to prove itself to the world- this quake is its timely reminder before its pride leads to an inevitable fall. God loves China, He does. In spite of its pagan appearance, His people are growing there. The heart that He has put in His church for that land is unmistakable. And now, He disciplines it before she becomes recalcitrant. Pray too that I will love it as He does some day.
Pill #2 - It seems to be an understatement to say that extent of destruction of the earthquake is huge. But it is our only crutch to help us behold the greatness of our Lord. When the Bible says the earth quaked and trembled in His presence, you'd think you can truly comprehend? The earthquake helps us to do that. The destruction He can bring about is THAT great. He is THAT powerful. The earth is merely His footstool and He is THAT great. Imagine the day when He will come and the mountains will tremble. Pray that we will be found running towards Him and not be scrambling into caves to hide from His presence. Pray that His unfathomable greatness will cause us to behold Him, fear Him and worship Him.
Pill #3 - Imagine that the house you have been saving or paying to own all your life has been reduced to naught overnight. Imagine what is left of all your possessions lie in the rubble. Would I still feel I have a nest to lay my head at night? Would I feel safe and secure? Would I still feel I have something I own? Would I still feel I have something to give? Naked have I come, naked will I depart. All that is in between in transient- each breath, each smile, each tear, each experience is truly by grace and grace alone. Pray that I will truly store my possessions in heaven and be identified in Him alone.
"It is not wrong to want to live better; what is wrong is a style of life which is presumed to be better when it is directed towards "having" rather than "being," and which wants to have more, not in order to be more but in order to spend life in enjoyment as an end in itself.
It is therefore necessary to create lifestyles in which the quest for truth, beauty, goodness and communion with others for the sake of common growth are the factors which determine consumer choices, savings and investments." -- John Paul II
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Thank you Father for answering my prayers for Man-U. Thank you for indulging this little daughter of yours. YAY!!! *muacks*
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