Choose Your Battle

Jesus was at Capernaum, healed a lot of people, and they urged him to stay, because there was so much work to do. They needed him there. (Luke 5) However, Jesus retreated to the wilderness. Instead of staying at the place that needed him, he left for other cities. Jesus knows in his heart why he was sent to the earth. He followed his Father's direction, rather than the urge of the people.

Does it sound familiar? "This ministry needs people, go help!" I helped in a children tutoring class a number of years ago because it needed teachers. I did not ask God if it was a position for me. I just went in sympathy of the teacher shortage. It turned out that I spent double energy and gained half of the fruit. I was very frustrated in the class, and my spirit was torn. I realized that it was not a ministry for me.

In a recent Bible study, I learned that God does not put all ministries in my heart. He has a plan for me, and I ought to listen to the Lord's direction and guidance, but not the voice of the needies. God will feed the needies in his own perfect ways. I am only a tool to fulfill part of his work.

The key is to trust and obey.

The Light

Wandering in a tunnel, no bread nor wine. Stepping in the dark and dew, light is rare to find.

Towards the ending rugged path, a white spot shines. Brighter when it becomes, an exit is clearly defined.

Aligning with the only Way, dead end breaks through the rocky cave. Marching solely with the Truth, abundance is the promised prize.

Blessings.

Walk to Get a Malasada

Automobile gives us convenience to commute to destinations quickly. When driving in a car, we aim at accomplishing something by arriving at the destination, to get a malasada, to meet our date and client, to work, to pick up a child, to get a burger or a cup of coffee? Our mind is set to the destination and the task, and it is enhanced with our culture of speed. When I spend time to walk to my destination, I find myself tardy and slow, yet it is another world of discovery. I still aim at arriving at a destination, yet there will be much distractions that pull me away from my focus on the destination. I will see more interesting things in the new pace. There is actually more fun, and my body gets the work out as well! At the end, I arrive at my destination, and accomplish what I need to do. The 'loss' in time transforms to another form of enertainment and knowledge, something that I may never relize when I drive.