“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
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| (Credit: Multiple sources Internet) |
conrade
Showing posts with label Trust. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trust. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Midweek Meditation: "God's Plan vs Our Plan"
This graphic display shows us the difference between our own plans and God's plans. It definitely gives us a clearer insight into Jeremiah 29:11.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
conrade
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
conrade
Wednesday, March 06, 2013
Midweek Meditation: "Mark 4:38"
One of the key Greek teachers that I have learned from is from Dr Bill Mounce, whose texbook on learning biblical Greek has been used in many seminaries. During my Greek classes, there will be a short application of a Greek passage, where the nuances of the language are highlighted, making our commonly used English translations less accurate when we have the original text at hand. Remember again that every translation in itself is an interpretation. This week, Mounce shared on Mark 4:38 which reads differently among various translations.
Mounce writes:
The word "perishing" is in the present continuous, which means the disciples were actually in the process of drowning, highlighting the urgency of their cries to Jesus. This is a significant with regards to those of us struggling through life. It tells us that Jesus is smack at the center with us, in the midst of our struggles through this life. We are not alone. For God is with us, not in terms of a distant promise, but a near reality. God can be trusted.
conrade
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" (Mark 4:38, NIV)
But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:38, ESV)
Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, "Teacher, don't you care that we're going to drown?" (Mark 4:38, NLT)These translations raise a problem. Are the disciples already drowning, or are they simply worrying about drowning? The NIV basically inserts the word 'if' that suggests a possibility of drowning. It looks analytical. The ESV is a better translation but falls short of the drama of drowning. The NLT also does not escalate the actual fear as well as the original Greek. Mounce observes that there is a blatant absence of the Greek word εἰ (“if ”) in the original text.
Mounce writes:
That makes sense, until you start looking at the Greek and the other translations. Word for word, the disciples say, “Teacher (διδάσκαλε), is it not a concern to yo (οὐ μέλει σοι) that we are perishing (ὅτι ἀπολλύμεθα;)? It is the present tense ἀπολλύμεθα and the absence of εἰ (“if”) that caught my eye. (link)
The word "perishing" is in the present continuous, which means the disciples were actually in the process of drowning, highlighting the urgency of their cries to Jesus. This is a significant with regards to those of us struggling through life. It tells us that Jesus is smack at the center with us, in the midst of our struggles through this life. We are not alone. For God is with us, not in terms of a distant promise, but a near reality. God can be trusted.
conrade
Wednesday, February 06, 2013
Midweek Meditation: "Trust and Obey"
Our meditation for this midweek is from the words of the famous hymn, "Trust and Obey."
Verse 1:
G
When we walk with the Lord
D G
In the light of His Word
C G D
What a glory He sheds on our way
G
While we do His good will
D G
He abides with us still
C
And with all who will
G D G
Trust and obey
Chorus:
D G
Trust and obey
E Am
For there's no other way
D/F# G/B
To be happy in Jesus
C D G
But to trust and obey
Verse 4:
G
But we never can prove
D G
The delights of His love
C G D
Until all on the altar we lay
G
For the favor He shows
D G
And the joy He bestows
C
Are for them who will
G D G
Trust and obey
CHORUS
Verse 5:
G
Then in fellowship sweet
D G
We will sit at His feet
C G
Or we'll walk by His side
D
In the way
G
What He says we will do
D G
Where He sends we will go
C G D G
Never fear only trust and obey
CHORUS
Here is a Youtube rendition.
conrade
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Basics in Trusting God
Bridges goes on to share the following tip from an unknown Christian.
"God in His love always wills what is best for us. In his wisdom He always knows what is best, and in His sovereignty He has the power to bring it about." (Jerry Bridges, Trusting God, Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 1998,18)
I like that. One more thing. I think trials and tribulations are good tests on how authentic our faith in God is. There are those who know a lot about God, and those who know God. The difference is this. When adversities come, the former tries to reason and to rationalize, relying on the mind to make sense of it all. The latter on the other hand begins with a reliance on relationship. Those who know a lot about God are at greater risk of distancing themselves from God when they fail to rationalize it through their senses. Those who personally know God will not hesitate to trust. One knows in the head. The other knows in the heart. True trust in God begins in the Father's heart.
What kind of trust do you have? A head trust, or a heart trust?
conrade
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Between Calling and Employing
TITLE: BETWEEN CALLING AND EMPLOYING
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 10 Dec 2011
One pastor says this: "I know what to do. I know who to visit. I know what to preach and to teach. But I just don't WANT to do it anymore."
Discouragement. No amount of training can ever prepare anyone for this dose of reality. Years of experience cannot eradicate this. Neither can rest and relaxation prevent this state of emotional despair from ever occurring. This pastor says it very well. He knows exactly what needs to be done and what can be done. When it comes to personal motivation, there is no clear answer. My pastor friends tell me that the average number of years a pastor shepherds any congregation is about 3-5 years. After 3-5 years, they will venture into a newer parish and start the countdown all over again. Perhaps it is due to the lack of energy to continue with their existing parishes. Perhaps, they feel no longer as effective as before. Perhaps, they sense a change in God's calling for their lives. Maybe, all of these are related to this one word: Discouragement.
Pastors are not super-spiritual people. They are human and very vulnerable. I remember one particular time when I had an issue that I could not resolve with a pastor. Aware of the impasse, the senior pastor gently says this to me: "You need to trust me."
Of course, as a young church member, I let the stubborn side of me dominate: "Trust? Trust has first got to be earned."
The Fine Line Between Calling and Employing
One of the biggest differences between working for non-profit and for-profit organizations is simply between 'calling' and 'employing.' All organizations need both. However, the sense of calling is more necessary in non-profits where there is minimal monetary benefit. Those in profit-based corporations often remain with the job happily as an employee because of the money they are making. I have spoken to many people in various places, and one of the most common reasons why they stay in their 'crappy' jobs is because they need the money.
Not the paid minister. Very often, the pastor has given up his cushy job in the corporate world, so as to answer the call to serve God in a full-time capacity. The pay is minimal. The hours are maximal. There is no such thing as a union based 40-hour only workweek for the pastor. There is no way the pastor can forget about work in the office after 5pm. Sometimes, his work actually starts after dinner time. There are meetings to attend, and visitations to make. Small groups meet in the evenings, and weekends are perhaps the busiest times for the paid minister.
For paid ministers in Church, the line between 'calling' and 'employing' becomes very thin the longer the pastor serves in the same Church. One pastor begins his ministry, high on 'calling' and low on 'employing.' He ends his ministry low on 'calling,' and high on 'employing.' Steve Harper of Asbury Seminary makes this observation.
This lack of confidence as described by Harper has a lot to do with trust, or the lack of it. When the trust factor is missing between pastor and the congregation, the road to spiritual dryness has begun. When one is walking along in this condition, his sense of calling becomes less and less. The expectations to discharge his work responsibilities as an 'employee' becomes more and more. Let me share what are the finer differences between 'calling' and 'employing' so that we can get a better sense of what I am saying.
Firstly, calling is from above, which motivates the minister from the inside. Being merely employed is from the expectations of people, which attempts to move the minister from the outside. Moses is called by God to go to Pharaoh and plead the case on behalf of the Israelites. Time after time, Pharaoh hardens his heart and refuses to let the people go. Each sign from God seems to be matched by Pharaoh's magicians. It can be downright discouraging. Moses finds his strength from the LORD, who shows him each step of the way. It is the LORD who empowers and instructs Moses in the way he should go. On the other hand, a mere employee is motivated more out of a sense of duty, even guilt. One member in a church I know says this to a church worker: "You are paid to do your job, so do it!"
Honestly, when I hear that, my heart goes out to this worker. I can see whatever remaining motivation and joy drain out from her face.
Secondly, calling is a journey of learning to trust. Employing is a posture of earning trust. The Patriarch Abraham has long been called the man who trusted God so much that he is willing to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, in obedience to God. This act of faith is demonstrated through trust. Abraham trusts God to lead the way. He trusts that obeying God's will is much better. This calling as an act of learning to trust has a lot to do with grace. In grace, one learns to initiate giving more than mere receiving. In grace, one gives out more benefit of the doubt. In grace, one learns about growing a big heart. In contrast, 'employing' has to do with earning the right to be trusted. This employer-employee relationship is basically an Employer driven relationship that basically says:
Amen.
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 10 Dec 2011
"Adonay Yahweh is coming with power to rule with authority. His reward is with him, and the people he has won arrive ahead of him. Like a Shepherd he takes care of his flock. He gathers the lambs in his arms. He carries them in his arms. He gently helps the sheep and their lambs." (Isa 40:11, GW)
One pastor says this: "I know what to do. I know who to visit. I know what to preach and to teach. But I just don't WANT to do it anymore."
Discouragement. No amount of training can ever prepare anyone for this dose of reality. Years of experience cannot eradicate this. Neither can rest and relaxation prevent this state of emotional despair from ever occurring. This pastor says it very well. He knows exactly what needs to be done and what can be done. When it comes to personal motivation, there is no clear answer. My pastor friends tell me that the average number of years a pastor shepherds any congregation is about 3-5 years. After 3-5 years, they will venture into a newer parish and start the countdown all over again. Perhaps it is due to the lack of energy to continue with their existing parishes. Perhaps, they feel no longer as effective as before. Perhaps, they sense a change in God's calling for their lives. Maybe, all of these are related to this one word: Discouragement.
Pastors are not super-spiritual people. They are human and very vulnerable. I remember one particular time when I had an issue that I could not resolve with a pastor. Aware of the impasse, the senior pastor gently says this to me: "You need to trust me."
Of course, as a young church member, I let the stubborn side of me dominate: "Trust? Trust has first got to be earned."
The Fine Line Between Calling and Employing
One of the biggest differences between working for non-profit and for-profit organizations is simply between 'calling' and 'employing.' All organizations need both. However, the sense of calling is more necessary in non-profits where there is minimal monetary benefit. Those in profit-based corporations often remain with the job happily as an employee because of the money they are making. I have spoken to many people in various places, and one of the most common reasons why they stay in their 'crappy' jobs is because they need the money.
Not the paid minister. Very often, the pastor has given up his cushy job in the corporate world, so as to answer the call to serve God in a full-time capacity. The pay is minimal. The hours are maximal. There is no such thing as a union based 40-hour only workweek for the pastor. There is no way the pastor can forget about work in the office after 5pm. Sometimes, his work actually starts after dinner time. There are meetings to attend, and visitations to make. Small groups meet in the evenings, and weekends are perhaps the busiest times for the paid minister.
For paid ministers in Church, the line between 'calling' and 'employing' becomes very thin the longer the pastor serves in the same Church. One pastor begins his ministry, high on 'calling' and low on 'employing.' He ends his ministry low on 'calling,' and high on 'employing.' Steve Harper of Asbury Seminary makes this observation.
"I am surprised how many pastors lack confidence. They approach their lives and their work more as employees than as beloved sons and daughters. The most extended and deep period of spiritual dryness I have ever experienced occurred when I lost this sense in my own life and settled for a kind of 'mechanical' faithfulness." (Steve Harper, 'A Pastor's Approach to Spiritual Formation,' in The Pastor's Guide to Personal Spiritual Formation, Kansas City, MO: Beacon Hill Press, 2005, 8)
This lack of confidence as described by Harper has a lot to do with trust, or the lack of it. When the trust factor is missing between pastor and the congregation, the road to spiritual dryness has begun. When one is walking along in this condition, his sense of calling becomes less and less. The expectations to discharge his work responsibilities as an 'employee' becomes more and more. Let me share what are the finer differences between 'calling' and 'employing' so that we can get a better sense of what I am saying.
Firstly, calling is from above, which motivates the minister from the inside. Being merely employed is from the expectations of people, which attempts to move the minister from the outside. Moses is called by God to go to Pharaoh and plead the case on behalf of the Israelites. Time after time, Pharaoh hardens his heart and refuses to let the people go. Each sign from God seems to be matched by Pharaoh's magicians. It can be downright discouraging. Moses finds his strength from the LORD, who shows him each step of the way. It is the LORD who empowers and instructs Moses in the way he should go. On the other hand, a mere employee is motivated more out of a sense of duty, even guilt. One member in a church I know says this to a church worker: "You are paid to do your job, so do it!"
Honestly, when I hear that, my heart goes out to this worker. I can see whatever remaining motivation and joy drain out from her face.
Secondly, calling is a journey of learning to trust. Employing is a posture of earning trust. The Patriarch Abraham has long been called the man who trusted God so much that he is willing to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, in obedience to God. This act of faith is demonstrated through trust. Abraham trusts God to lead the way. He trusts that obeying God's will is much better. This calling as an act of learning to trust has a lot to do with grace. In grace, one learns to initiate giving more than mere receiving. In grace, one gives out more benefit of the doubt. In grace, one learns about growing a big heart. In contrast, 'employing' has to do with earning the right to be trusted. This employer-employee relationship is basically an Employer driven relationship that basically says:
- "I pay you to do your job, so you'd better do it."
- "You are an employee of the Church, so you are responsible to fulfill all the obligations of the contract."
- "Your primary responsibility is to the Church."
Personally, I do not have a problem with pastors doing their jobs. Neither is it unfair to expect the pastor to fulfill all of his stated obligations according to his job description. My point is, when the relationship between the pastor and the congregation becomes an 'employee' rather than a 'calling,' the whole situation becomes very mechanical, very impersonal, and even very discouraging. Instead, calling is one of graciousness.
- "I trust you to do your best. The pay you are getting is our way to encourage you to do your work better."
- "Although you work for us officially, we will work with you to do Church. After all, the Church belongs to God and the people of God."
- "Your primary responsibility is not to the Church but to God. We trust that God will help you do the best for the people of God."
Finally, calling has a lot to do with the giftings of the pastor. 'Employing' has more to do with the needs of the church. In other words, 'calling' begins with asking God what is God's gift and how these gifts can be used for the better of the Church. The Apostle Paul has the gift as a lawyer. He argues his case very well and we see him writing epistles to churches against false teachings, against disunity, and against all manner of dysfunctional behavior in the churches. With these gifting, he does not need people to tell him what to do. He takes initiative to do it.
On the other hand, 'employing' begins with the needs of the church. If the Church has a lack of worship leaders, they hire a worship leader. If they lack a Sunday School Superintendent, they hire one. If they lack a Bible teacher, they hire one. It begins with a need. The employing process comes next.
Conclusion
It is not easy to make a distinction between calling and employing. We have to try. For the sake of the Church and for the ministers, we need to. We need to remember that calling is from above, and not be distracted by all kinds of expectations by people.While it is important to minister to people's expectations, it is more important to listen to God's calling. After all, it is God who has the big picture. Calling is one that promotes grace and trust. Employing is one that prefers to reserve any trust until proven otherwise. Finally, calling has more to do with giftings from God and less to do with expectations of people.
Let us endeavor to help one another discover our calling for one another.Let us not let money or the pay element distract us from the kingdom of God. Let us learn to give one another the benefit of any doubt. For the sake of Christ. May this be the prayer of everyone, not just the Minister. Remember, all of us are first and foremost sons and daughters of God. Do not let money or pay make us forget that. When calling becomes the primary motivation instead of 'employing,' pastors will 'want' to serve better instead of 'have' to serve all.
Let me close with this Wesley Covenant Prayer.
Let us endeavor to help one another discover our calling for one another.Let us not let money or the pay element distract us from the kingdom of God. Let us learn to give one another the benefit of any doubt. For the sake of Christ. May this be the prayer of everyone, not just the Minister. Remember, all of us are first and foremost sons and daughters of God. Do not let money or pay make us forget that. When calling becomes the primary motivation instead of 'employing,' pastors will 'want' to serve better instead of 'have' to serve all.
Let me close with this Wesley Covenant Prayer.
Lord, I am no longer my own, but Yours.
Put me to what You will. Rank me with whom You will.
Let me be employed by You or laid aside for You,
exalted for You or brought low by You.
Let me have all things. Let me have nothing.
I freely & heartily yield all things to Your pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
You are mine and I am Yours. So be it.
(John Wesley)
Amen.
conrade
Friday, September 16, 2011
Keep Praying
TITLE: KEEP PRAYING
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 16 Sep 2011
Have you ever prayed but felt that God is slow in answering your prayers? Have you ever prayed for a loved one to come to Jesus, but to no avail? Have you ever fasted and interceded for someone in your family to get right with God, but nothing seems to be happening?
You are not alone. This is one of the biggest mysteries surrounding prayer. Does prayer work? Is prayer hallucination? For all the questions and all the uncertainties, all it takes is one clear answer, and like smoke evaporating into the sky, the doubts will clear up. In the meantime, we need to learn to pray. We need to cultivate holy waiting. We need to practice spiritual mindfulness that God will work according to His good time. One of the most intriguing verses in the Bible is the one on prayer, where Peter writes about the Lord’s patient work.
I like to draw attention to three things in this passage. Firstly, it is not our time but God's time. The Scripture tells us that time is determined by the Lord. We can plan our ways, but it is the Lord who directs. We can structure our time schedules, but it is the Lord who decides. We can try to move things along, but it is the Lord who dictates. We can move bodies, but it is the Lord who moves hearts. The Lord moves by His Spirit. We need to move in step with the Spirit, primarily in prayer.
Secondly, what is slow to man is not slow to God. If we acknowledge that time is in God's hands, our definition of 'slowness' takes on a whole new meaning. Think about how our impatience has brought more trouble. Think about how foolish it is to overtake the car in front of us, only to be stopped at the next traffic junction a block away. Think about the frustrations inside us, when our version of fast, is not fast enough for our bosses. It is not slow or fast but timely that matters. A friend of mine said this to me many years ago that has stayed with me.
Thirdly, God wants the maximum number of people to come to repentance. He does not pick and choose. He pleads and waits for people to choose him. Now, I am not talking about any doctrine of predestination which teaches about God pre-determining who will be saved or not saved. That doctrine can be dealt with at another time, and another place. What it means here is that God loved the world so much, that He gives ample opportunities, fairly, and openly to all to choose Him.
Let me close with a story.
Lee Strobel shares about one of his amazing experiences of the movement of God. One beautiful day, he was performing a baptism for one of his faithful members of the church. In the midst of baptizing a 60-year old woman, he saw a man seated next to her, about a number of years older. The man looked tough and hard.
Looking at the old woman, Strobel asked the formal question whether she wanted to be baptized. She said yes, joyfully. Brimming with joy, she said yes to receiving Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. She said yes to receiving Jesus with her whole heart. She said yes to following Jesus the rest of her life. All of a sudden, something moved Strobel to turn his eyes on the old man.
Stunned with the sudden attention on him, the old man softened his stance. He paused a moment before bursting out, “No, I haven’t, but I want to right now.”
Strobel later reflected on the experience, and found out that the old man is the brother of the a female church member. This member had been praying for nine years. Strobel thought to himself:
We all want results. We like control. Yet, spiritual work cannot be controlled by our own worldly plans or fleshly desires. Spiritual work needs to be done in God’s way according to God’s perfect timing. When we pray, we are participating in the spiritual work of God. When we pray, God tills the soil in the hearts of men. When we pray, God waters the seed of faith. When we pray, God fertilizes the growth of heart’s openness. When we pray, God enables trust to increase, and doubts to surrender to faith.
Never give up on others, for God never gives up on us. Keep praying.
conrade
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 16 Sep 2011
“Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thess 5:17)
Have you ever prayed but felt that God is slow in answering your prayers? Have you ever prayed for a loved one to come to Jesus, but to no avail? Have you ever fasted and interceded for someone in your family to get right with God, but nothing seems to be happening?
You are not alone. This is one of the biggest mysteries surrounding prayer. Does prayer work? Is prayer hallucination? For all the questions and all the uncertainties, all it takes is one clear answer, and like smoke evaporating into the sky, the doubts will clear up. In the meantime, we need to learn to pray. We need to cultivate holy waiting. We need to practice spiritual mindfulness that God will work according to His good time. One of the most intriguing verses in the Bible is the one on prayer, where Peter writes about the Lord’s patient work.
“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:8-9)
I like to draw attention to three things in this passage. Firstly, it is not our time but God's time. The Scripture tells us that time is determined by the Lord. We can plan our ways, but it is the Lord who directs. We can structure our time schedules, but it is the Lord who decides. We can try to move things along, but it is the Lord who dictates. We can move bodies, but it is the Lord who moves hearts. The Lord moves by His Spirit. We need to move in step with the Spirit, primarily in prayer.
Secondly, what is slow to man is not slow to God. If we acknowledge that time is in God's hands, our definition of 'slowness' takes on a whole new meaning. Think about how our impatience has brought more trouble. Think about how foolish it is to overtake the car in front of us, only to be stopped at the next traffic junction a block away. Think about the frustrations inside us, when our version of fast, is not fast enough for our bosses. It is not slow or fast but timely that matters. A friend of mine said this to me many years ago that has stayed with me.
"God is seldom early, never late, but always on time."
Thirdly, God wants the maximum number of people to come to repentance. He does not pick and choose. He pleads and waits for people to choose him. Now, I am not talking about any doctrine of predestination which teaches about God pre-determining who will be saved or not saved. That doctrine can be dealt with at another time, and another place. What it means here is that God loved the world so much, that He gives ample opportunities, fairly, and openly to all to choose Him.
Let me close with a story.
Lee Strobel shares about one of his amazing experiences of the movement of God. One beautiful day, he was performing a baptism for one of his faithful members of the church. In the midst of baptizing a 60-year old woman, he saw a man seated next to her, about a number of years older. The man looked tough and hard.
Looking at the old woman, Strobel asked the formal question whether she wanted to be baptized. She said yes, joyfully. Brimming with joy, she said yes to receiving Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. She said yes to receiving Jesus with her whole heart. She said yes to following Jesus the rest of her life. All of a sudden, something moved Strobel to turn his eyes on the old man.
“Have you given your life to Jesus?”
Stunned with the sudden attention on him, the old man softened his stance. He paused a moment before bursting out, “No, I haven’t, but I want to right now.”
Strobel later reflected on the experience, and found out that the old man is the brother of the a female church member. This member had been praying for nine years. Strobel thought to himself:
“Nine years. … Here is a woman who is glad she didn’t stop praying in year eight.” (Lee Strobel, The Unexpected Adventure, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009, p149)
We all want results. We like control. Yet, spiritual work cannot be controlled by our own worldly plans or fleshly desires. Spiritual work needs to be done in God’s way according to God’s perfect timing. When we pray, we are participating in the spiritual work of God. When we pray, God tills the soil in the hearts of men. When we pray, God waters the seed of faith. When we pray, God fertilizes the growth of heart’s openness. When we pray, God enables trust to increase, and doubts to surrender to faith.
Never give up on others, for God never gives up on us. Keep praying.
conrade
Monday, March 29, 2010
Letting Go
Letting Go
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 29 Mar 2010
Last Sunday was a special one. Three members of the congregation came out to share about their testimony in Christ. One shared about how God guides through her friendships and relationships with peers. Another shared about how God guides through career decisions. Another shared about learning to trust God during difficult family trials. In all of these instances, the pastor pointed out a common theme: “Letting Go.”
Letting go is certainly an important element of trust. Without trust, there can be no faith. Without trust in God, whatever alternatives there are will lead us to a dead-end. In a sense, believers do not really have a choice. It is either choosing to trust God, or to curse God and blame God for all things. In an emotional condition, sometimes, those who are down and out will even deny their faith and walk away.
I thought about what disappointments mean in life. It is challenging. In fact, it is so challenging that at times, I find myself doubting God. I question the existence of God. If He exists, I question if He really loves me. If He really loves me, I ask why does He seem so far away?
This reminds me of the story of a pair of trapeze performers. One is a senior catcher, while the other is a junior jumper. The senior catcher waits for the junior to jump. The objective is to let the jumper swing from one end to the other end of the platform. For young trapeze performers, they rely on a safety net below to catch them in case they fall.
The catcher casually swings on his knees while waiting for the jumper. For a few times, the young jumper freezes up and tightens her arms to aggressively grasp the hands of the catcher. Each time she does that, she falls. Finally, the senior trapeze performer said to the rookie to relax and just ‘let go.’ She needs to trust that she will be safe even when she lets go. Realizing that her own fears are preventing her from improving, the young trapeze performer agrees to the suggestion. In her final try, she let herself go. She keeps her mind free. She is able to relax. As she loosens up, she extends her arms to be easily caught by her more experienced colleague. The performance was first class.
Isn’t this a wonderful metaphor for trust? Isn’t this the truth Jesus is trying to tell us, that in this world there will be many troubles? If we try to overcome the world on our puny little abilities, we will be frustrated. We will easily fall down. If we try to take control of all things, even the things that are not within our jurisdiction, we will be disappointed. We start to blame God unfairly. We start to hurt ourselves unwittingly. We start to hurt God unknowingly.
How about simply trusting God? How about letting go of our self-pride and unhealthy control? We need to first, take heart (do the jump), carry on our normal activities (swing on), and when the difficult times of life comes, where we cannot control the outcome, just let go and let God.
Remember, Jesus has overcome the world. If Jesus is for us, who can be against us?
Thought: If you find it hard to let go, why not attempt a period of unceasing prayer?
conrade
Written by: Conrade Yap
Date: 29 Mar 2010
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)
Last Sunday was a special one. Three members of the congregation came out to share about their testimony in Christ. One shared about how God guides through her friendships and relationships with peers. Another shared about how God guides through career decisions. Another shared about learning to trust God during difficult family trials. In all of these instances, the pastor pointed out a common theme: “Letting Go.”
Letting go is certainly an important element of trust. Without trust, there can be no faith. Without trust in God, whatever alternatives there are will lead us to a dead-end. In a sense, believers do not really have a choice. It is either choosing to trust God, or to curse God and blame God for all things. In an emotional condition, sometimes, those who are down and out will even deny their faith and walk away.
I thought about what disappointments mean in life. It is challenging. In fact, it is so challenging that at times, I find myself doubting God. I question the existence of God. If He exists, I question if He really loves me. If He really loves me, I ask why does He seem so far away?
This reminds me of the story of a pair of trapeze performers. One is a senior catcher, while the other is a junior jumper. The senior catcher waits for the junior to jump. The objective is to let the jumper swing from one end to the other end of the platform. For young trapeze performers, they rely on a safety net below to catch them in case they fall.
The catcher casually swings on his knees while waiting for the jumper. For a few times, the young jumper freezes up and tightens her arms to aggressively grasp the hands of the catcher. Each time she does that, she falls. Finally, the senior trapeze performer said to the rookie to relax and just ‘let go.’ She needs to trust that she will be safe even when she lets go. Realizing that her own fears are preventing her from improving, the young trapeze performer agrees to the suggestion. In her final try, she let herself go. She keeps her mind free. She is able to relax. As she loosens up, she extends her arms to be easily caught by her more experienced colleague. The performance was first class.
Isn’t this a wonderful metaphor for trust? Isn’t this the truth Jesus is trying to tell us, that in this world there will be many troubles? If we try to overcome the world on our puny little abilities, we will be frustrated. We will easily fall down. If we try to take control of all things, even the things that are not within our jurisdiction, we will be disappointed. We start to blame God unfairly. We start to hurt ourselves unwittingly. We start to hurt God unknowingly.
How about simply trusting God? How about letting go of our self-pride and unhealthy control? We need to first, take heart (do the jump), carry on our normal activities (swing on), and when the difficult times of life comes, where we cannot control the outcome, just let go and let God.
Remember, Jesus has overcome the world. If Jesus is for us, who can be against us?
Thought: If you find it hard to let go, why not attempt a period of unceasing prayer?
conrade
Friday, March 19, 2010
Story: "The Ant and the Contact Lens"
I came across this story as I was researching for a talk this week. It is first shared by author, Elisabeth Elliot, in her book, "Keep a Quiet Heart." Whether it is true or not, I will simply take it at it is. It is a heart warming story. Snopes has verified it as true.
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Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens. "Great", she thought. "Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry."
She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there.
She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth."
She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."
Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"
The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption,
"Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."
I think it would do all of us some good to say, "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will."
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
[photo credit: edevotions.org]
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========
Brenda was almost halfway to the top of the tremendous granite cliff. She was standing on a ledge where she was taking a breather during this, her first rock climb. As she rested there, the safety rope snapped against her eye and knocked out her contact lens. "Great", she thought. "Here I am on a rock ledge, hundreds of feet from the bottom and hundreds of feet to the top of this cliff, and now my sight is blurry."
She looked and looked, hoping that somehow it had landed on the ledge. But it just wasn't there.
She felt the panic rising in her, so she began praying. She prayed for calm, and she prayed that she may find her contact lens. When she got to the top, a friend examined her eye and her clothing for the lens, but it was not to be found. Although she was calm now that she was at the top, she was saddened because she could not clearly see across the range of mountains. She thought of the bible verse "The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth."
She thought, "Lord, You can see all these mountains. You know every stone and leaf, and You know exactly where my contact lens is. Please help me."
Later, when they had hiked down the trail to the bottom of the cliff they met another party of climbers just starting up the face of the cliff. One of them shouted out, "Hey, you guys! Anybody lose a contact lens?"
Well, that would be startling enough, but you know why the climber saw it? An ant was moving slowly across a twig on the face of the rock, carrying it!
The story doesn't end there. Brenda's father is a cartoonist. When she told him the incredible story of the ant, the prayer, and the contact lens, he drew a cartoon of an ant lugging that contact lens with the caption,
"Lord, I don't know why You want me to carry this thing. I can't eat it, and it's awfully heavy. But if this is what You want me to do, I'll carry it for You."
I think it would do all of us some good to say, "God, I don't know why you want me to carry this load. I can see no good in it and it's awfully heavy. But, if you want me to carry it, I will."
God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
[photo credit: edevotions.org]
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