rediscovering our relationship with God
Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the bright and morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
A vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours
Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
I am yours
musings of our walk
Sunday, May 30, 2010
Les Mis
This might be a bit of a random post..
As some of you might know, I watched Les Mis on Friday ^^ it was pretty awesomee. But some parts of that musical really made me think about how we should live as Christians. There are two characters I want us to think about in particular: the bishop and M. Thenardier. They both claim to be Christians, but if you have any idea what the musical's about it's obvious from the way they act what they truly believe.
The amazing sacrifice the bishop makes for Jean Valjean is just crazy. After he's backstabbed and robbed by this ex-con, he continues to love and give and it is these actions of his faith that bring Valjean to God.
M. Thenardier is a greedy crook who pretends to be everyone's best friend while he cheats them. The scene when he and his wife bargain for Cosette is especially disgusting. It is obvious they are only labeling themselves as 'Christian' when it pleases them. Yet we cannot be too quick to judge. At Ruse, as it was in Les Mis, it is a unique environment where it is almost 'cool' to be a Christian, and a lot of people can claim to be Christian without living that way.
In comparing these two types of 'Christians' I felt it really linked well with Church Service on Thursday. Hamish told us that faith without works is useless - we need to express our faith through what we do (but not to earn our salvation!). This is a seriously tough challenge. How many people do you reckon would know you're Christian without you having to tell them? Could they tell from the way you love and serve and share and sacrifice like the bishop did? Or would they take you for a hypocrite in your faith?
Yes yes, gesta non verba and all =P our actions do speak out our faith louder than mere words. Here at Ruse especially, we're smart - we can phrase things nicely, logically. But can we live it?
Especially with exams approaching, let's live out our faith LOUD. =D
Praying for us all with study and stress mounting!
posted by Lil at 1:55 PM
Saturday, May 15, 2010
selfless serving
since the beginning of this week i've started reading acts, after realising that i've never read through the entire book before as a whole. i'm so glad that i decided to read it, because there's just so much in it, so many implications and the lives of Jesus' disciples really sets an example for me: something i can aspire to, and something which is attainable because like me, they were mere humans.
i was struck by acts 5:41 -
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.they had just been flogged, and must be in pain and with lots of injuries, and they were rejoicing.
they so wholeheartedly loved God that they were willing to suffer anything, and it was not just willing, they saw it as an
honour to be able to suffer in the name of God, for God.
and they were mere humans.
i guess it's wrong, but when looking at the life of Jesus sometimes i think, "but he's
Jesus! it's impossible to be like him because he's so perfect and he's God!" there are no excuses when it comes to the apostles.
the passage reminded me again that life as a Christian is not all just sunshine and roses, it is going to be hard but it's ok for it to be hard. and when it is hard? it should be with a thankful and rejoicing heart that i deal with it, because i have God in my life and with him holding on to me everything will be ok in the end. a lot of the time i still have the mindset that by giving God control over my life, i
should be blessed, and things will all go well in my life. but God has taught me through this passage that by having that mindset i'm not really giving him control of my life, i'm just saying, "God, i want to be blessed, so can you please make it all go well for me?"
to give him complete control of my life would be to say, "God, here is my life, and it's ok if i have to face suffering or hardship, because you are my Lord and i'm willing to give up everything for you". and it's so hard, and i'm still such a long way off from getting there. a huge part of me still wants all the good and the happiness of this world, but there's that tiny part of me that knows and remembers the overflowing joy that comes from him.
and you know what? God isn't cruel or heartless, he won't make us go through unnecessary suffering and he will reward us for following him, even if our intentions aren't completely pure, because he loves us. on friday God reminded me of his grace and love, and so yeah, when everything seems to be so hard, don't give up. these words seem empty and weightless, but there's really no other way to put it: trust in God and allow him to work in your life - it's the only thing in life that will be worth it
my supposed "control" over my life shall be something that i aspire to relinquish over the years =]
posted by [[ëlãiñë]] at 10:01 PM
Friday, May 14, 2010
Responsibility
I've been reading Ezekiel, and it's an amazing book of the Bible. My personal journey through it has come at such a significant time (I mean come on I read chapter 1 and it says on the fourth day of the fourth month... and that was on 04/04/10 o.0 coincidence much??). There are so many symbolic and strange parts that I definitely do not fully understand, but then there are just passages in Ezekiel that really really strike me. Like the bit about how those repent will have all their past sins forgotten, and those who fall away will have their past righteousness disregarded. Interesting stuff in Ezekiel 33
One thing I want to share is also from Ezekiel 33. It's the bit about the watchman. God's revealed the fact that we're all watchmen(or women =P) in our own worlds. We have been told about judgement and Hell and end times and sin and punishment and eternity and all. Now we are heavy with the responsibility of spreading the news, the warning, and the good news - there's a way that leads to Heaven. The implications of this passage are huge. We will be held accountable for how much we spread the gospel! What is amazing though, is that it doesn't matter how people respond. If they fall at your feet and thank you for bringing them to Jesus. Or if they mock and laugh at what you say. Whatever happens, as long as we speak out about our faith God will be pleased, and He'll work through us however undeserving/unqualified/uncertain/unimportant we feel.
The thing is, this enormous responsibility is not a weight to be born, a guilt or a burden. We aren't responsible for how many people we 'convert' or how well we can phrase God's message. There's no pressure because ultimately it's between God and the other person once we've spread the gospel to them! That means it doesn't become a numbers game (so.. how many people have youu brought to Christ eh?), it's not about being an eloquent speaker (look at Moses!), or always passionate and obedient (haha check out Jonah...), but faith and trust. Hebrews 11 shows us some role models in faith we can follow =)
Ezekiel 33 also seems to show the sense of urgency we should be having. Come on guys, these are end times. We really have to get a move on (none of this after HSC business! =P haha)
So yea. Those are some my thoughts for the past week or so. Hope it's put a sense of responsibility in your hearts as well as a weight of your shoulders. It's up to God, so let's pray and ask Him to use us! Then go out and evangelise! =)
posted by Lil at 8:34 PM