117. Harmony

During this past Winter Spiritual Cultivation at Elizabeth, Preacher Hwang gave a testimony about how a Gentile friend phoned a TJC sister and heard her family singing hymns in the background, harmonizing with voice parts and instruments. The Gentile said she admired the warmth and wished she were in that family. Then, Pr. Hwang made a punny point about how harmony in the church can bring about growth in numbers. The pun was unfortunately lost in translation; nonetheless, that's when I decided I would name my daughter Harmony (if I ever encounter such an occasion).

116. It's You Again

"It's you again!" said the doctor, as he opened the door to find Carlos sitting in the waiting room.

"Yeah, I burned mys--"

"You burned yourself using the oven. Again. Why am I not surprised? I knew you'd be back."

Carlos looked down in a disappointing silence as he held his arm.

"Carlos. You can't keep doing this. Do you even care about your own well-being? It seems like you just do whatever you want, whenever you want. There are people who care about you. But obviously, you don't seem to care at all! I thought you said you were going to change."

"This was an accident."

"Which could have been prevented... You know your issues go beyond this silly burn. Admit it. And change. How can you expect things to be different if you don't do anything different?"

115. Standing Firm

"All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Mt 10:22)

There's enough verses in the NT to know that we'll be hated for our beliefs, but Mt 10:21 puts this hate into the context of those who are close to you--those you care about.

You know, it doesn't even have to be someone that close to you. Many people already care about what strangers and acquaintances think of them--not to mention those in their own social circles. Because of this, when others disagree with what you've done or how you've done something, you will naturally want to know why so that you don't repeat the mistake.

And this is where standing firm comes in. If people you're around consistently disagree with something about you, you'll likely change it. This is often good. But what if that something were a manifestation of your zeal in servitude or a result of your desire to adhere to the word of God? The fact that someone (even a consistent worker in church) has a problem with it may make you question if you were right to act that way. And we become very different from Paul who didn't change in zeal even when opposed in and out. We are gradually crafted into mellowed-out, lukewarm workers who fear and avoid conflict (and are even taught to do so).

However, this dampened zeal comes at a cost too high to pay. So, let us carefully examine our ways and intentions every time someone shows direct or indirect disapproval (no matter how reputable they are in church). What is their reasoning? Is it based on the Bible? If so, is that the correct interpretation? On the other hand, if they're right and our actions are based on an incorrect interpretation or based on personal opinion, preference, or stubbornness, we may need to change. Conversely, how may we be affecting others? Is it for the better or for the worse?

Only if we stand firm to the end in the unwavering truth can we be saved.

114. Perfection

I've always been quite the perfectionist. From refining the shading in Elementary School drawing projects to minimizing errors on High School Math tests, I have repeatedly desired to hand in something as close to perfect as possible.

However, recently, it seemed that my reach for perfection in school work and church work had become more a sheer satisfaction with mediocrity and minimum. This may have been a result of fear of disappointment from high expectations, lack of equal motivation from peers, and a dearth in faith. Overall, standards had become undeniably lower.

But even though my standards may have dropped, His standards never change. And if that is the case, what happened to striving toward these standards to please Him? What happened to the perfectionist who always sought extra credit? What happened to running as if only one gets the prize?

It's time to raise the standards again. It's time to pay attention to all the smudges and creases. To surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees and teachers of the law. To give to the one who asks and not turn away from the one who borrows. To love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. To greet not only my brothers.

It's time to be perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect and press on toward the goal!