*meagre thoughts*
what is it about the chinese mentality that is so counter-culture to the Christ mentality? i've had numerous chats with colleagues in the past few months of how i got to where i am today, things that i've been through... and they are always without fail, shocked. why? i've just tried to do whatever i've heard God call me to. not that i've always heard correctly, or made the right decisions. but that didn't keep me from staying stagnant. and who can argue that God is most gracious when we earnestly try to follow him and not ourselves?
my colleagues in my department had a farewell dinner for me last night (HOT POT!! mmm), and one of them commented that the maintenance guy that volunteers at mother's choice is probably the bravest guy she knows, because he can carry couches on his shoulder with one arm and make it look like a piece of cake. and i'm thinking today... bravery really has nothing to do with physical prowess. i think one of - maybe THE - things anyone can do is to be able to see their life as it is and do something about it. to recognize our own achilles heels (of which i have many), to know where we lack, and ADMIT it. not so we can wallow in pity and hope that someone notices, but to face these shortcomings bravely and make a decision to let God change us.
shane posted a very interesting quote on the 180 forum: we can often do more for other men by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs. (francois fenelon)
and one of the most precious piece of advice i ever received from my pastor's wife in vancouver was: instead of focusing all our attention and effort on finding the perfect mate, we should focus our effort on becoming the perfect mate. i don't think this necessarily only apply to finding a spouse, but in all sorts of other relationships as well. that would probably solve a lot of issues between these days.
so i guess i just wanted to encourage people to keep going. keep asking God what his plans for our lives are, keep obeying when you hear that word, and you'll never go wrong. other people might think you're crazy, YOU might even think you're crazy because you're doing things you never imagined yourself doing in a million years. but that's the beauty of all this. God changes people. and there's nothing better than to be right in the center of God's will. anywhere else would be hell.
what is it about the chinese mentality that is so counter-culture to the Christ mentality? i've had numerous chats with colleagues in the past few months of how i got to where i am today, things that i've been through... and they are always without fail, shocked. why? i've just tried to do whatever i've heard God call me to. not that i've always heard correctly, or made the right decisions. but that didn't keep me from staying stagnant. and who can argue that God is most gracious when we earnestly try to follow him and not ourselves?
my colleagues in my department had a farewell dinner for me last night (HOT POT!! mmm), and one of them commented that the maintenance guy that volunteers at mother's choice is probably the bravest guy she knows, because he can carry couches on his shoulder with one arm and make it look like a piece of cake. and i'm thinking today... bravery really has nothing to do with physical prowess. i think one of - maybe THE - things anyone can do is to be able to see their life as it is and do something about it. to recognize our own achilles heels (of which i have many), to know where we lack, and ADMIT it. not so we can wallow in pity and hope that someone notices, but to face these shortcomings bravely and make a decision to let God change us.
shane posted a very interesting quote on the 180 forum: we can often do more for other men by trying to correct our own faults than by trying to correct theirs. (francois fenelon)
and one of the most precious piece of advice i ever received from my pastor's wife in vancouver was: instead of focusing all our attention and effort on finding the perfect mate, we should focus our effort on becoming the perfect mate. i don't think this necessarily only apply to finding a spouse, but in all sorts of other relationships as well. that would probably solve a lot of issues between these days.
so i guess i just wanted to encourage people to keep going. keep asking God what his plans for our lives are, keep obeying when you hear that word, and you'll never go wrong. other people might think you're crazy, YOU might even think you're crazy because you're doing things you never imagined yourself doing in a million years. but that's the beauty of all this. God changes people. and there's nothing better than to be right in the center of God's will. anywhere else would be hell.
posted by jana* at 10:03 AM
