It was an intimate time with God at the beginning of vocal lessons yesterday, as we started off with thanksgiving and meditating on who God is in our lives, e.g. our Provider, Banner, Shepherd, Peach, Healer, etc. God plays many roles in our lives and some aspects are more dominant at different phases of our lives and walk in faith.
As I gave thanks of the role He is and is always playing in my life, my spirit was especially moved as He is surely my shepherd. How often He has guided me, especially in my career & relationships, and as He knows I can be rather indecisive (I think too much), I usually ask for straight answers, like specifically closed doors and really just open that 1 door for me if it's what He wants. (Actually I can just imagine how my 矛盾 makes Him 啼笑皆非 at times...haha...)
Like a shepherd too, He also guards me and disciplines me (a shepherd's staff has many uses). I make mistakes and am occasionally a little disobedient, or forget about His hand, but He often reminds me to focus back on Him as I try too hard to use my own means. And really, once we make the decision to leave it to Him, it's really a load off the shoulder. I hope I'll always remember to focus on Him, such that I will not stray.
As I gave thanks of the role He is and is always playing in my life, my spirit was especially moved as He is surely my shepherd. How often He has guided me, especially in my career & relationships, and as He knows I can be rather indecisive (I think too much), I usually ask for straight answers, like specifically closed doors and really just open that 1 door for me if it's what He wants. (Actually I can just imagine how my 矛盾 makes Him 啼笑皆非 at times...haha...)
Like a shepherd too, He also guards me and disciplines me (a shepherd's staff has many uses). I make mistakes and am occasionally a little disobedient, or forget about His hand, but He often reminds me to focus back on Him as I try too hard to use my own means. And really, once we make the decision to leave it to Him, it's really a load off the shoulder. I hope I'll always remember to focus on Him, such that I will not stray.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
With this, I consider the changing priorities of people. Many times, we see that people tend to change priorities like career, relationships, etc. Sometimes, maybe work is No. 1, and another time, romance takes priority and other things are neglected. However, if one puts God as a constant No. 1, there is security even when all these other things change. Because God never changes. And if God is no. 1, nothing can go wrong, and all things work out right according to His purpose (and your purpose) at the same time.
Sometimes, I wonder why people allow themselves to fall into situations which they know will make them stray from God, or why some just stray. Not that I'm saying I'm so "holy" or anything, but I'm referring to situations that would really cause oneself to draw away or backslide. For example, allowing oneself to start a romance with a non-Christian. I have seen a couple of friends succumb to this temptation and 99% of the time, it draws them away from God...maybe out of guilt or being afraid of the other party's disapproval (ironic/contradictory as it sounds, if you know what I mean).
Personally, I will never allow myself to fall into this trap, i.e. to let myself fall in love with a non-Christian. I have a strong opinion about this, not just because it's my opinion, but because it is a command. There cannot be synergy and edification in this sort of relationship. I totally envision myself serving God together with my partner, and maybe also because I come from a non-Christian background, so after I converted, I don't understand why when you become a believer, you will want to be restricted in serving God in this sense for the rest of your life (a pretty scary prospect). Mind you, I still regard these people as my friends, but I'm just puzzled. I'm also just as puzzled at why some can "just stray" even after experiencing God. I just pray they turn back to God. God is a gracious & forgiving God.
Basically, it's all about getting one's priorities right. For a Christian, God should be top priority. And indeed, when you trust in Him, "all these things will be given to you as well." Actually, I feel very blessed that I got someone like God to rely on. I just hope that I will always remember this.
This is a nice long thoughtful post.
ReplyDelete"Sometimes, I wonder why people allow themselves to fall into situations which they know will make them stray from God, or why some just stray. Not that I'm saying I'm so "holy" or anything, but I'm referring to situations that would really cause oneself to draw away or backslide. For example, allowing oneself to start a romance with a non-Christian."
This is a very prickly situation that many single Christians will face in life, especially if they are still single at an older age. Sometimes the lesson of "waiting upon God's timing" is one of the hardest lessons to learn, especially when it comes to finding the right life partner.
We Christians know that we're supposed to choose Christian life partners, but what happens if no one seems to come along after so many years? It is human to be tempted after all (not that I condone this). The need for human companionship can be a very strong one.
I've seen it happen to male and female Christian friends of mine, i.e. choosing non-Christian life-partners. As I said, it is human to be tempted, but it is not something that I condone.
Sometimes we might make excuses like "Oh, I'm confident that one day he/she will come to church with me and will eventually become a Christian".
Personally, I would not dare to take such a stand because i) we can never be sure of such things, and ii) I feel that such expectations are usually things we say to make ourselves feel better about our decisions.
Then there are the grey areas, such as: What if the person has gone to church before, but no longer goes to church now...is it acceptable? Or what if the person professes to be a Christian, but has different fundamental beliefs...is it acceptable?
Very tricky. I guess the best we can do is to keep trusting and praying.
I understand that temptations come, but temptations just remain as that and will fade...it only becomes sin when one decides to "succumb" to it.
ReplyDelete"Oh, I'm confident that one day he/she will come to church with me and will eventually become a Christian"
I think this is one of the most often used excuse. However, it is often a self-delusion as
1) it is self-serving;
2) there is always a level of uncertainty if the other person, if he/she ever converts, is really doing so because he/she really believes or only because of you;
3) you're worried that if you ever breakup, will it cause the person to backslide.
4) it might never happen.
So it is too risky to ever take this stand. And most of the time, you know you're really just comforting yourself, and your relationship with God just spirals downwards.
the grey areas:
Actually, I learnt that being "unequally yoked" can be taken to another level even when between Christians. Like the spiritual level, the fundamental beliefs, etc. Hmm...if a person doesn't go to church anymore, what's the reason? Then you'll sort of know where he/she stands.
I know, this makes things even more difficult, but yes, I guess all we can do is keep trusting & praying. God is good!