Day 19: No kidding, a donkey?

Matthew 21: 1-11

What comes to your mind when you see the word “stallion”? Probably a majestic horse galloping along with the wind, capable of carry heavy loads and travelling for a thousand miles.

How about “donkey”?

Probably a lazy and fat, not to mention petite, horse-like creature who can’t go far nor fast. It stinks as well, and is almost, in a way, useless.

Who would want to be a donkey or to be called such a name? Every one of us would rather be a big star or to be looked up to and idolised by others.

Now come to think of it, has ever anyone in the Bible, who were used by God, been a perfect person? Gideon was insecure. David committed adultery and murder. Jacob was a liar. Elijah showed a lack of faith in God. And Solomon, described as the wisest man on earth, showed a lack of wisdom.

But still, God used these imperfect people to fulfill His perfect plan. The fact of the matter is that God doesn’t wait for us to become perfect before He uses us. He works through our weaknesses and turns them into strengths.

Lots of men, women, children and youths who are described as a “donkey” by their fellow man, those who have been scorned and judged, have been used and used for great things by God. Human fame, power and money are not important in front of God. What is important is that we allow ourselves to be used by him.

Jesus had used even a donkey to fulfill his task. If He could use a donkey, he can use you too.

Day 18: Sharing blessings, or spreading sins?

Galatians 5:13-15 

I remember the times when my leaders threw the “prayer baton” to me out of the blue, during many events such as lifegroup, prayer meet etc.

“Okay so now, _____ will lead us in prayer.”
“Why not _____  you pray for this?”
“Can _____ help us to pray for this?

I believe, as ironic as it may seem, most of us would panic unconsciously while trying to look prepared on the outside, quickly thinking of how should we lead the prayer, or words to say for the prayer. If some of us have the gift of the gab, then we might be able to pull this off while still sounding spiritual.

Well there’s something else that we often do, which although involves the mouth, but actually do not require any great speaking skills at all. Plainly, talking to our friends about anything under the sun, without the mentioning of “God”. We gossip without panicking, we chat for long hours without panicking, so long the conversation doesn’t hit the word “God”.

Funny how we can’t think of anything to say when we pray, but don’t have difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.

When Jesus died on the cross that very day, the power of sin in us was released. The label of “enslavement” on us, had turned into a label of “freedom”. But because we do not have to get struck by lightning when we sin, we, humans, would always want to enjoy the short pleasures of sin. Why? Because it feeds our worldly desires!

In our hearts we really yearn to be saved and not going to the dreaded Hell. How much more must we thank God for the Grace that redeemed us from death? If for this cause, we want to spread it to the world, then the things we talk to our friends about, will it ever be about God?

Or will we choose to stay in the darkness and keep this Love for ourselves, and spread the darkness to the lost around us, that they can never know such a perfect Love?

Day 17: Your Stand

Mark 8:35

I came across a tagline that particularly caught my attention; it read: “Hope has found its warrior”. Just musing about it a few nights ago, when I realized God wants us to take our place as Christians in the world. People who would war for hope. And I wondered if we would ever be known for being Christians who would unashamedly proclaim that we belong to the Hope of the universe.

We have a mission on this world, a life that is created to live to the full. As the old saying goes “One life soon will pass, only what is done for Christ will last”. How true, that we need to be people with single-mindedness. Doing a thousand and one things at a time isn’t the best way to live our lives. The best way to live our lives is to know what we are standing for. Maybe its only then when we’ll realize there’s more than tasks to finish on our to do lists.

So what are we really standing for?

Day 16: More Than Enough

Psalm 100: 4

Counting of blessings is powerful. It reminds us that amidst everything, God is still good and God is still real.

A friend once gave me a small orange notebook and encouraged me to bring it with me wherever I go and pen down my blessings everyday. And so I did.

I penned down when God stopped the rain and saved me from being drenched before reaching school. I penned down when I passed my Math test. I penned down when God gave me strength during my examination period. 

I never thought it was a big deal to write down my blessings until one day something bad happened and I found it hard to trust and be led by God. I randomly took out my orange notebook and started flipping through the pages, reading all the words I’d penned down. Funnily enough, I actually felt so much better after that, knowing and assured that God had been and will still be good.

Sure, God doesnt necessarily bless us with everything. However, we have more than enough to praise Him!

Day 15: Blindspots

Mark 10:46-52 

“10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… smile!”

The camera flashed. Great shot, it felt good! You walked to your tripod stand to see the picture that was taken, but realised that one of your friends in the picture was looking away from the camera, obviously distracted by something in the background.

“No good, no good! One more time!”

You get slightly irritated that the picture didn’t turned out well. After telling your friends to focus and look towards the camera, you set the camera to self-timer mode, preparing to take another group photo, this time hoping that the picture would be better.

Right after you started the timer, you run back to your group and get in position for the photo to be taken.

Shortly after, the camera flashed. This time, it better be good!

Or so you thought. As you went to see the picture that was shot, you noticed, from the corner of your eyes, that there was someone in the foreground of the picture, who obviously wasn’t supposed to be there. That really killed the picture, and it annoyed you greatly.

Time and time again, you continue to try to adjust and correct the shots taken. However, it doesn’t seem to work out at all. There were sudden gusts of wind blowing which messed up the looks of the group, there was a sudden laughter among the group which spoiled the pose, there were people cutting into the camera line of sight. And many more faults.

“If only I had a photographer!”

Indeed, our eyes were only meant to look outwards, not inwards. There are blindspots which definitely can only be seen by others, not ourselves. That’s the reason why God provided us with a shepherd, a physical, as well as a spiritual mentor, who are able to guide us and correct us, ensuring that we do not follow the path of destruction in our lives.

The only thing else we have to do is break down our pride, and admit that we need help, obediently following and accepting what our mentors, shepherds and leaders, have to say about us. Don’t worry, they definitely know what is the problem we are facing and how to correct it, because they can see our lives in the way we cannot.

Want the photoshoot to end up perfect, without flaws? Seek help from someone else, someone who is able to help you take the photo in the way that you wanted.

Day 14: Expectations

Psalm 40

Oh, how far God would go for us.

But only, how far would we go for God? Even in times of trouble, we would expect God to move and solve the problem without us praying. We expect God to be an “automated” God. We expect Him to answer all our prayers when the problem isn’t about answering your prayers, but seeing you grow.

On the other hand, God expects us to obey His words even when it hurts. He expects the world He created to serve Him with joy. He expects his children to glorify him through their speech, actions, time management, anger management, money management etc. Every single thing in our lives are expected to reflect the beauty of the beholder.

And we His children should at the least yearn to strive towards perfection. The worst we could do is to measure God with human standards. What we expect isn’t what God wants; neither what does what God expect similar to what we want. There’s simply too much we’ve yet to uncover, but for now, “since we live in the Spirit, let us keep in step with the spirit”.What am I willing to give up so my will becomes the reflection of God’s will?

Day 13: Children of God; Servant of God

Philipians 2:6-7

Humans are selfish and self-centered by nature. 

We lift our emotions high up like it’s of the greatest value.

We long to be understood.

We yearn to be accepted.

We lie down on our fluffy pillows and comfy sheets and enjoy being a child of God, princes of God, princesses of God. We love living in our own worlds set by our own rules and regulations controlled solely by us. But more than all these, we often forget that we are servants of His too.

God seeks for people who have a heart to serve for and in His kingdom.

He doesnt need more children to merely enjoy the pleasures of what the Kingdom brings.

Even Jesus, the perfect one, served whole-heartedly.

What more about you and I?