Under Construction

Many years back, I watched some of the overpass constructions done at Taikoo Place in the Quarry Bay area where I used to work. The small overpass that had been built in the beginning phases of construction appeared hopelessly disconnected to the entire office-building project in the vicinity of Taikoo Place. There where no other passages leading to or from the overpass. It was just a span of concrete that seemed to lead nowhere. However, when the project was completed, the seemingly misplaced overpass proved to be a vital link that serves building occupants to cross from one building to the other.

Sometimes our lives reflect in this way. We are not sure why are we working at that particular job, living in this specific place, or serving this particular foreign family. We simply do not see how it fits into God’s plans for us. But it is exactly at this juncture that we must rely on the sovereignty of God. For God knows what He desires to accomplish in our lives. He is aware of how this day, this job, this relationship is pieced together in His good and acceptable plan. You know, our wisdom has limits. We do not know what the day will bring. However, God’s wisdom is infinite and transcendent. He weaves every thread of our existence into a purposeful, productive, profitable plan.

When I first moved to Hong Kong over sixteen years ago, I left all my friends and the opportunity to get a job in the advertising career I wanted. I ended up with a bit of frustratrations in the beginning years waiting tables at a restaurant, serving food and drinks to people I have never met; spending half of my time in a garment factory removing threads on garments. I was a reluctant church member where I used to arrive half an hour before the benediction. It was stressful, a lot of pressure and struggle. However, I steadily grew and after many years, God opened a small door that made me exercise my commitment. Today, I rely only on Him in many situations of my life, whether in sickness or in good health, or whatever circumstances I am in.

Sixteen years ago I could never have foreseen both the struggles and triumphs I have in life. It was simply trust, dependence, and obedience – the key to bringing order and meaning to what seem like a hopeless, meaningless and misplaced construction of overpass of our lives. Somehow Joseph understood that principle thousands of years ago. At young age of seventeen he enjoyed the prosperity of a prominent Hebrew family. For the next thirteen years, he worked as a servant in a foreign land and spent time in an Egyptian jail. But in each experience, Joseph’s steady hand and diligence caused him to find favor with God. He did the best with what he had, did what he knew to be right, and trusted God. He did not know at seventeen years of age that he would administer the Egyptian kingdom at thirty.

God uses everything for good in your life when you entrust yourself and your circumstances to God’s providential control. No situation is hopeless if you trust Him. You may not understand your present situation of your life, but God does! Just rest in His efficiency and sovereignty.

Is any part of your life under construction today? Have you been trying to figure out where is it leading? You may not understand your present situation of your life. All you need to do is put your trust in God and rest in His efficiency and sovereignty.

Bible passage to read: Proverbs 20:24

(One of the finished bridges linking tenants from one office building

to another in the vicinity of Taikoo Place, Quarry Bay)

“Everything happens for a reason and a purpose, and it serves you.”

Renewing the Mind

Most of us have had the frustrating experience of making a sincere commitment only to find that several days later we have abandoned it. I have been a member of 3 Baptist churches at different stages in my life and have witnessed each Sunday worship service that usually ends up with an altar call where the pastor invites members of the congregation and guests to come forward and make their decisions. This call corresponds with the message delivered by the pastor. Usually it targets on commitment. Many come forward crying and promises God the moon and the stars – no more lying, gossiping, cheating, accusing, and so on. I call it the “Altar Call Syndrome” or ACS. Does this sound familiar to you?

Sometimes, just for the sake of appearing good and sincere we respond to the altar call even when no decision is made, turning it into a Sunday ritual. Unfortunately, most of these promises are broken even before they can make it back to their homes. However, most of the decisions made during each sessions can be sincere. But the problem was no one might have taught them how to follow through. They were clear on “Thou shalt not…” and “You ought to…” but it was the “How to…” which remained a mystery. This is the ritual of Sunday worship service but the crucial element was left out in those otherwise excellent messages and in the lives of the congregation as well.

The Apostle Paul, because of his background, knew well all the frustrations of knowing what to do without knowing how to do it. No doubt it was through his own experience that made him sensitive to his readers’ need in this area of their lives. In Romans 12:1-2 Paul wrote, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, and acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (KJV).

So in one perfectly written statement he summarized the key to consistent change: “by the renewing of your mind”. Paul knew that our behavior is directly affected by the way we think. For real change to take place externally, there must be an internal change: in our way of thinking. What shows on your outside is merely the reflection of what’s inside. Until we get involved in the process of renewing our minds, any behavioral change is short-lived.

Now here comes the big question: How to renew your mind? Renewing the mind is something like refurbishing your home that has a two-stage process: one - it involves taking out the old, and two - replacing it with the new ones. The old are the lies, gossiping, cheating, drinking, smoking and so on, that you have learned that was influenced or taught by those around you; they are the attitudes and ideas that have become a part of your thinking but do not reflect reality. The new is the truth. To renew your mind is to involve yourself in the process of allowing God to bring to the surface the lies and other misbehaviors you have mistakenly accepted and replace them with truth. Your behavior will be transformed to the degree that you do this. The follow-up comes through with constant, sincere fellowship of your fellow believers in the church, and constant Bible reading designed to aid you in the life-changing process.

As God’s children, He has pleasing and perfect plans for us. He wants us to be transformed with renewed minds living to honor and obey Him. What God gave us was His only Son, Jesus Christ, because He wants only what is the best for us and to make our new life possible. Therefore, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices for His service. As Christians, we should not copy the behavior of this world that is often selfish and corrupting. It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant, hot tempered and covetous. And there are times when we are renewed only during Sundays! Only when the Holy Spirit renews, redirects and re-educates our mind are we really become transformed. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” Romans 8:5 (KJV). All of these are possible only when you have the Holy Spirit and that begins when you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. What are you waiting for?

Bible passage to read: Romans 12:1-2

“ONLY WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT RENEWS
WE REALLY BECOME TRANSFORMED”