Wait Purposefully

Quotes from Believing God by Beth Moore

“We’re getting by but getting by, was never our destiny. We were meant to be profoundly effective.”

“Our toughest battles will invariably concern matters of faith–times when we’re tempted to think God’s Word and His ways won’t work for us, that He has abandoned us, let us down, or failed to come through for us.”

“When we respond to attacks of doubt, distortion, and deceit with the truth of God’s Word, the fiery dart is extinguished and the enemy takes another hit.”

“God is who He says He is.
God can do what He says He can do.
I am who God says I am.
I can do all things through Christ.
God’s Word is alive and active in me.”

Excerpt From: Moore, Beth. “Believing God.” B&H Publishing Group, 2010.

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

Happy (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

I will not name names.

 

 

Yesterday I came across an update from a social media page about someone saying negative things about a beauty title holder, and to make things worse, saying things which can be considered as “racist” remarks not only about the winner but looking down on the whole nation as well.

 

 

I do not know the person who posted that. I do not know her values, beliefs, lifestyle, priorities and choices in life. I cannot judge her because I am not entitled to, just as she isn’t entitled to degrade someone else. The bible states clearly:

 

 

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” -Matthew 7:1

“You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things.” -Romans 2:1

“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.” -Romans 14:13

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” -Luke 6:41

It’s sad that she said what she said. In my humble opinion, no one has the right to look down upon a particular race, or to judge the people and label them into a particular class or stereotype. No one, not even the richest, nor the most famous, nor the most intellectual, nor the most beautiful person on earth has the right to look down upon someone else.

 

 

Isn’t she aware that in every community, there are different people? Not everyone is living a life of splendor but each person is gifted with a unique gift; every person has a role to play, a space to fill in, a purpose to fulfill.

 

 

” Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” – Romans 12:1-5

“Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.” -Romans 12:16

What if there are no farmers?
What if there are no factory workers?
What if there are no fast food crew?
What if there are no baristas?
What if there are no waiters/waitresses?
What if there are no commis?
What if there are no construction workers?
What if there are no vendors?
What if there are no gophers?
What if there are no street sweepers?
What if there are no garbage collectors?
What if there are no house helpers?
What if there are no nannies?
What if there are no porters?
What if there are no chamber maids?
What if there are no bell boys?
What if there are no chauffeurs or drivers?
What if there are no toilet cleaners?

 

 

I could go on and on but what I’m trying to say is, the world will never be the same without these people. They are important not only in the workforce but to the whole human existence.

 

 

Does she know why these people that she is looking down on are employed in such jobs? They work hard to support their families. Some of them have ailing parents who need health care. Some of them have children who need to go to school and earn a degree to have a better career and future. They want to provide for their families, to give them a better life. What motivates them? I think it’s love. They take great risk, working in a foreign land for people they do not know. They sacrifice in order to give what they can to the people they love. That is something to be proud of.

 

 

Isn’t she aware that there are well known painters, sculptors, inventors, scientists, artists, athletes and other renowned personalities who hail from the same country that she ridiculed?

 

 

Doesn’t she know that the national hero of that country  was a prolific writer, ophthalmologist, a polyglot who was conversant in 22 languages, a polymath, a brilliant man.

 

 

So yes they have something else in them, a lot more in fact.

 

 

They join competitions and win the crown.
They compete in math contests and get the medal.
They engage in sports competition and win.
They work in extreme conditions and still have sunny disposition.

 

 

Not everyone is privileged with earthly riches. Some people have to work hard and work odd jobs to survive. The thing is, if you are one of those who are blessed with financial abundance, be thankful. You are blessed. Why not be a channel of blessings? Be blessed and be a blessing. 🙂

 

 

I believe that every person, no matter what race or nationality is a masterpiece of God. Each person has a purpose. Everyone is lovingly created by God, no matter what circumstances or condition they are born in.

 

 

Psalm 139 (NIV)

You have searched me, Lord,
and you know me.
You know when I sit and when I rise;
you perceive my thoughts from afar.
You discern my going out and my lying down;
you are familiar with all my ways.
Before a word is on my tongue
you, Lord, know it completely.
You hem me in behind and before,
and you lay your hand upon me.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,”
even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to you.

For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
    your works are wonderful,
    I know that full well.
My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be.
How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with you.

If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord,
and abhor those who are in rebellion against you?
I have nothing but hatred for them;
I count them my enemies.
Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.

Not a Mountaineer

Photo by Seabhcan. Image of part of the Haute Route, Switzerland, 2003 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am not a mountaineer. I guess I never will be.

I may be able to climb a mountain one day soon. BUT I can never make mountaineering a profession nor a hobby.

I love nature and is always in awe when I see idyllic landscapes, majestic peaks, beautiful backdrops and breathtaking views that only God can create. There’s something about being close to nature that seems to let you experience a tighter embrace from God. A welcome silence. A serenity that you cannot explain.

If that is the way I see nature, then why not climb mountains? I know and believe that God created me for a purpose but mountaineering is not one of them. Unlike my friends who can withstand intermittent weather, I easily catch a cold. This reminded me that each person is uniquely created.

A person should never compare his/her life or journey with someone else nor long for what others have because you never really know what they are going through and that is not your design. Instead, be grateful for the life that you have. Make the most out of it and live the life you were born to live. 🙂

Be blessed and be a blessing. 🙂

The Five People You Meet In Heaven

Image via Wikipedia

According to English author, courtier, & philosopher (1561 – 1626) Sir Francis Bacon, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books are to be read only in parts, others to be read, but not curiously, and some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention.”

Mitch Albom‘s books are those that fall under the class “to be chewed and digested”.  His books are heart warming and profound; filled with lessons that are applicable in everyday life; inspiring and awakening.

One of his books, The Five People You Meet In Heaven tells the story of Eddie, an old maintenance man who died in an accident at the Ruby Pier, and his journey in heaven.  There he met five significant people who have played significant roles during his lifetime, some of these people he was not aware had meaningfully impacted his life.

People are connected with one another, that one act can possibly affect not only the person committing the act but other people as well.  The Five People You Meet in Heaven has so many lessons on life, love, forgiveness, sacrifice, and purpose…

“That there are no random acts. That we are all connected. That you can no more separate one life from another than you can separate a breeze from the wind.” –Blue Man, he worked at the Ruby Pier for a freak show, he was the driver of a car that Eddie had stepped in front of to retrieve a ball when he was young.  The said event had caused the Blue Man’s heart attack.

“….Sacrifice is a part of life. It’s supposed to be. It’s not something to regret. It’s something to aspire to. Little sacrifices.  Big sacrifices… ”
“That’s the thing. Sometimes when you sacrifice something precious, you’re not really losing it. You’re just passing it on to someone else.” The Captain, Eddie’s commanding officer during World War II

“Holding anger is a poison. It eats you from inside. We think that hating is a weapon that attacks the person who harmed us. But hatred is a curved blade. And the harm we do, we do to ourselves.” – Ruby, the name of Ruby Pier has been taken after her.  Her husband Emile built it for her; an accident resulted in Emile’s hospitalization, in the same room where Eddie’s father was confined.  She recounted the last days of Eddie’s father and helped him to understand the value of forgiveness.

“Lost love is still love…  It takes a different form, that’s all. You can’t see their smile or bring them food or tousle their hair or move them around a dance floor. But when those senses weaken, another heightens. Memory. Memory becomes your partner. You nurture it. You hold it. You dance with it… Life has to end… Love doesn’t.”  – Marguerite, Eddie’s wife who taught him about the love they have.

“Supposed to be there… Is where you were supposed to be…” –Tala, the girl who burned in the hut who told Eddie that his  role as a maintenance employee has kept many people safe, that his job is more useful than he thought.