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.

I Know You’re There by Casting Crowns

What if you only have a single breath left? A single song? A single moment? How would you spend it? How would you make the most out of it?

-Casting Crowns-

If all I had was one last breath
I’d spend it just to sing Your praise
Just to say Your name
If all I had was one last prayer
I’d pray it ’cause I know You’re always listening
If I could live a thousand lives, bind the hands of time
I would spend every moment by Your side

’cause I, I know You’re there, I know You see me
You’re the air I breathe
You are the ground beneath me
I know You’re there, I know You hear me
I can find You anywhere

If all I had was one more song to sing
I would raise a noise to make the heavens ring
If all I had was one last chance, I’d take it
I would stake it all on You

If I could raise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye
I would make them believe
What I feel inside

If I could live a thousand lives and bind the hands of time
If I could rise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye

I know You’re there
I know You’re there
I know You’re there, You’re there

Broken Strings

Broken guitar strings (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

People can pull strings and tap their connections to get what they want, to succeed, to get to the top without ever considering the consequences of their actions or the values being compromised in the process of doing so. Sad but true, this is the way of the world, in a dog-eat-dog-world where the competition is fierce, there are those who chose to take the wider path and not the narrow road. In this day and age where it seems everything is served in an instant, from coffee to dinner, there are people who want to get instant fame, instant success, instant glory. But then again, will a person really be truly happy at the end of each day knowing that all those fame, those success, and everything else attached to his/her name has all been due to some strings that have been pulled, not because of hard work and dedication, will there be happiness? For some who have been blinded by the lies they have built, when their lies become their truth, this scenario of pulling strings no longer matter, it’s a by hook-or-by-crook way of living for them; forget the consequences, forget the values, forget what is right. Would you want to be like them?

There is the narrow path, the path less traveled, the path that is not of the world. When you serve a great God, His grace is overwhelming, that long before you have asked for something, it has already been given to you, your story written beautifully; making your success more fulfilling, for His will is always good, pleasing and perfect. You do not have to worry or fear that you will not succeed because the world is telling you that you will not make it, instead, continue to strive, to give your best and most of all to have faith. For “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours” (Mark 11:24).

Choose the narrow path and don’t be tempted to take the shortcut for when the strings have been broken, and the lies you have believed for so long begin to take their toll on you, where will that leave you? When the world expects you to fail, remain steadfast in your faith, hold on and never give up because “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God”(Mark 10:27).

Faith

You are not what you think you are...But what you think - You are (Photo credit: Spiritual Quotes To Live By)

What if you are in a tough situation and you are uncertain of the result of all your efforts? What if everyone around you thinks it is an impossible feat? What if other people are telling you it is hopeless?

Be still. Do not pay attention to pessimists who will try to bring you down, discourage you and weaken your resolve to succeed. Continue with your journey, hold on, walk with the Father and have faith.

The antidote to frustration is a calm faith, not in your own cleverness, or in hard toil, but in God‘s guidance.
– Norman Vincent Peale

As your faith is strengthened you will find that there is no longer the need to have a sense of control, that things will flow as they will, and that you will flow with them, to your great delight and benefit.
– Emmanuel Teney

Frequently remind yourself that God is with you, that He will never fail you, that you can count upon him. Say these words, “God is with me, helping me.”
– Norman Vincent Peale

Faith consists in believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe.
– Voltaire

When God calls you to do something, he enables you to do it.
–Robert Schuller

He who has faith has… an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness, and assuring trust that all will come out well – even though to the world it may appear to come out most badly.
– B. C. Forbes

All who call on God in true faith, earnestly from the heart, will certainly be heard, and will receive what they have asked and desired.
– Martin Luther

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding in all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall make your path straight.
– Proverbs 3:5-6

Prayers

Properly understood, prayer is a mature activity indispensable to the fullest development of personality the ultimate integration of man’s highest faculties.  Only in prayer do we achieve that complete and harmonious assembly of body, mind and spirit which gives the frail human reed its unshakable strength.
– Alexis Carrel, M.D.

The above text is from Robert Collier’s “Prayer Works“,  which is a good find; a book that is so moving that you can feel it touch your soul. It made me realize that what I am worrying about now (the low result of a major exam) is just a speck of dust compared to what great people had gone through and successfully overcame. It’s true that my future can be affected by it but then the battle is not yet over, there are still quizzes, and another major examination which will decide whether it’s make or break.

Last year I was in a similar situation, but I told myself that I can make it and then I prayed and entrusted everything else to God and I passed. I admit that this seemingly déjà vu is not entertaining but with zealous studying and the strength of prayers I know I can make it. I am going to pass this subject. I am going to make it. I believe I can.

I asked my friends to pray for me as well, to pray for the accomplishment of my goal; this way the power of prayers is magnified.

Prayers have helped great men succeed in life.  Prayers never fail.