Polished

There are 2 things that make humans exceptionally special. We are created in His image, but the paradoxical truth is that none of us are the same, save the ultimate truth that we were all sculpted and shaped by the same hand. Each person has his/her own individualistic manner that runs down to speech, actions, movements etc etc. The way of the world, has however, twisted most truths that they cease to exist. Truths are being replaced by lies, and if we were to compromise the word of God, slowly but surely, the virtues that we're supposed to take heed to will be eroded.

I attended Campus Weekend at Eaglepoint Covenant Fellowship. During the session, I was offered a survey to discover more about my personality and interests. At the end of the survey I was given a list of possible jobs that would suit me. I studied every statement intently, and made sure the ticks that I stroked with my pen in each box were honest, lest I get a wrong set of recommended jobs for my personality. It wasn't the first time I participated in the activity. The job recommendations were vividly similar to the old ones I got the last time I did the survey. Carpenter, technician, farmer, biologist- these are the list of professions which suit my personality, doctor was not listed.

It's not how smart we are, it is how we are smart. I tried my hand in these surveys tons of times in the past. I have never gotten one that I truly wanted: doctor. I manipulated my answers, scrutinised my way of thinking for a few minutes to tune myself into a different person, so I can tick the boxes that would land me a job recommendation of a doctor.

The survey made me realise how silly I was. If it is meant to be, God will lead the direction and I would have to follow. This great object was given unto me, not by my means but through that of God. It has finally come to my senses it is not what I want, but what He wants. Surveys are a great method in knocking some ideas into our heads. Each tick to a statement, as easy as it is, had me discover an additional thing about myself. I was indifferent to the answers I got from the survey, perhaps God is testing my confidence. To question the accuracy of the survey is trivial; I am sure it does more good than harm.

Doing the survey was perhaps a little summary of what life is all about: discovering the purpose of life. The survey is deviced to provide possible answers, but our journey in life provide answers that we can't debunk. The ultimate truth I've learnt so far in life is the existence of God, what Jesus Christ did on the cross, and what happens in the afterlife. Edwina provided an answer that I have always struggled to find an answer to. The question: What is your number one priority in life? God? Yourself? Your family? Work? The answer was brisk, it made everything seem so simple and just: God is the centre of your priorities. In everything that you do, God should occupy centre stage. The centre stage being the driving force in your work, your family and yourself.

I received a timely reminder from obese a few days ago. Timely, because I have been in this situation before. Not once, but twice, I saw myself forming a tight bond with God, but the efforts were relinquished. I built 2 fires, one when I was 12, the other a few years back. I built those fires, but that's where I stopped. I was overjoyed with the fire I set that I frolicked around it, I danced and sang at the fire but I forgot to add more firewood to maintain it. Eventually, the passion disappeared. I had ample passion, but discipline was zilch. God impressed the importance of meditating on His word on numerous occasions, but I never cared to construe His messages.

Once bitten, twice shy. It was His mercy that allowed me to make another U-turn to return to His ways. This time, I know what I have to do. Passion is good, but without discipline, the former is not as strong as it should be. The marriage of passion and discipline, I hope, would warrant a more steady a steadfast faith I hold towards God.

It's almost impossible to come up with an excuse not to commit time to God daily. I'm still struggling to have a daily quiet time with God, I hope that with time, I'll be a much disciplined follower.

Anyway, check out the Our Daily Bread site for resources to keep up your faith with God. If you have internet where you're staying, I am totally recommending this site. Just search Our Daily Bread in Google and click on the first link. It's updated daily. You don't even have to flip the Bible to look for the verse of the day; it's readily available in the site. The importance of God's word is reflected in Luke chapter 4, where we read the temptation of Jesus. I believe our Christian walk is made formidable by the word of God and only through His word, we do not fall prey to the traps the evil one sets upon us. Notice how Jesus rebuked Satan by starting His statements with "It is written".

p.s. I'm still keeping the notes I copied from the talk by Ps Catharine on the 3rd of May (Campus Revival) I'm having trouble copying the notes into the blog, so please ask me for the notes if u feel like blogging about it, or if you missed out her sermon and would like to know more about the message.