Is life really all about doing well in school, attaining remarkable grades, having a high CCA record, plainly serving the community, expressing yourself through music, dancing and the arts which can be rather enjoyable and appreciative? Is this all? Isn't there more to life?
I was in a state like that once.
Feeling all empty, lonely and living life like there's no purpose. Or rather, setting goals that are so high to reach! Setting goals according to the world's lowly standards. Setting goals which is ever-changing and never satisfying.
When a goal is achieved, we are satisfied, for that short period, and a while later, we hunger for more, and we aim higher, and the higher we go, the more tired we get. What on earth am I here for? Who am I working so hard for? Is it really just to have a good future ahead? Who am I trying to prove my worth too? Is it worth it getting all obsessed with earning acceptance from the people of this world? Who holds my future? What can I hope for in future? My future is so uncertain.
Right now, thank the Lord, praise the Lord and all glory goes to my Father in heaven, for I don't worry about all these any longer. For I put my hope in Him and He gives me strength to face tomorrow.
Just last week, on a particular day, I was just wondering to myself: What will I be doing in the future?
Well, don't get me wrong, I was just wondering... I am confident and hopeful for my future. But I was wondering, will God place me in an environment where ministry can be so intentional and straight-forward, or would He place me in an environment where ministry must be intentional but at the same time subtle, and not seem to be forced upon others.
And then, the amazing God opened my eyes to face the amazing truth.
Just a day after pondering about this question, I went for service the next day. And the the title of the sermon was "Facing the Uncertain Future with Confidence".
WOW. God, You always flash Your words of truth IN MY FACE. Haha. I love You.
As much as God our Father promised a future of good plans evident from 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."
But Jesus said the future is fearful.
Luke 21:25 - 26
There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.
Paul declared that there will be confusion in the world.
2 Timothy 3:1 - 7
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to with such people. They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of truth.
Peter proclaimed that there will be total destruction in the world.
2 Peter 3:10 - 12
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved and the earth and the works that are done in it will be exposed.
So what can we say about the future then? Bleak? Fearful? Full of confusion with total destruction? Well, it may not necessarily end on the 21st December 2012. But the world sure would come to an end one day. Whatever it is, what lives will die some day right? What's new will turn old and be useless too right? And I believe the earth is the same. When it was created, there would be a time it would die too.
But I shall not fear! For I put all my hope and confidence in God, my Father in heaven!
Jesus said.
Matthew 6:31 - 32
So do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?" For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
I am so grateful that my God is a God of love. He acts as my Father on earth and in heaven, taking care of us, providing for our needs, and always going before us to make sure everything is well planned. I thank God for my daddy and mommy(: We sure are safe and secure in the Lord, as He leads us and guides us.
David's confidence in the Father's heart.
God knows my fears. He knows my mood. He knows all my ways. Even before I say anything Lord, You know. I will not doubt God. He is always with me. His presence is with me. ALWAYS. No one can run away form God.
Is there a place to hide? To call our refuge? To be safe? I think at least for me, the only place is where God is. He is someone I can cling on to.
And after I've listened to the sermon. God posted me a question.
Right now, life is good. All is good. I've got what I need, I've even got what I want. Everything seems to be going well for me in my life. But what if one day, tragedy strikes? What if something which seems undesirable or unfortunate happens to me? Will I still cling on to my Father in heaven? Can I still remember that I can find safety and security in Him? What if I forget Him? And then I drift away from the best place I could be! I WILL DIE.
Proverbs 3:5 - 6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
I can plan all I want, and I can dream all I want, but without God in these plans, I'm afraid they will be crushed! Let God's plans be my plans.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. - Matthew 6:33
Even as I'm on my journey of sanctification, may I always set my mind on eternal things and not temporal ones. Let me not allow greed to come into my life.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things
- Colossians 3:1 - 2
The things of this earth will fade away.
God will not shortchange us, He blesses us abundantly, He never fails.
When your faith and trust is in God, even in times of despair and confusion, you will be worry-free.
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
- Matthew 6:33
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