Seeing beyond

Often, I would wonder, "What's God's will for me?" I would pray, seek, look for guidance, identify confirmation etc etc. At times, "me" can be a big deal--"what's God's will for ME?"

Last Sunday, Sherman shared a chapter from Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God by Blackaby and King. In it, there is a paragraph:

At the time God was about to deliver the children of Israel, the important factor was not what the will of God was for Moses. The important factor was what the will of God was for Israel. God was at work with Israel, and He was preparing to bring Moses into the mainstream of His activity. (p.53)

What a reminder! God's will is not about just me. God's will is beyond any individual and yet encompassing all of us whom He loves so much that He sent His only son to die for us. While He is preparing me, He is also orchestrating the others and environment to accomplish His plan according to His good pleasure. Lord, open my eyes to see your awesome work in the grand scheme of things, and engrave me to the mainstream of your activity and plan.

Enligthenment from Evan Almighty

Thanks to Alex who tactfully made me watch the movie. Here are some interesting conversations:

(G)od: I love that story, Noah and the Ark. You know, a lot of people miss the point of that story. They think about God's wrath and anger. They love it when God gets angry.

(W)oman: What is the story about, then? The ark?

G: Well, I think it's a love story about believing in each other. You know, the animals showed up in pairs. They stood by each other, side by side, just like Noah and his family. Everybody entered the ark side by side.

W: But my husband said God told him to do it. What do you do with that?

G: Sounds like an opportunity.

(W looked puzzled.)

G: Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, you think God gives them patience? Or, does he give them opportunity to be patient? If they pray for courage, does God give them courage, or does he give them opportunities to be courageous? If some prayed for their family to be closer, you think God zaps them with warm, fuzzy feelings? Or does he give them opportunities to love each other?

(W gasped quietly)

G: Well, I got to run. A lot of people to serve. Enjoy. (G disappeared among the people in the restaurant)

Earlier on here is a conversation between Evan and his wife:

W: ...And Jordan is very precise. He prayed for good visibility, good weather on the hiking trip tomorrow.

(E)van: The hiking trip? Oh, right. Yeah, the hiking trip. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

W: You wanna know what I prayed for.

E: Yeah. What did you pray for?

W: I prayed we would become closer as a family.

E: Honey, you don't need to pray for that to happen. I will make that happen.

W: What would you pray for?

E: Me? I don't know. Praying just...

W: Honey, you are the one who said you wanted to change the world. It's a pretty big job. If it were me, I would take all the help I could get.

Hope of a watchman

What is it like to wait for the sun rise in the dark silent night? And, who would and why would they wait for the morning? What is more certain to happen as a day-break to a watchman waiting in the dark?

Yesterday's worship at "Yung Fok" was a divine moment. God spoke as soon as we were called to worship from Psalm 130:5-6:

5 I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I put my hope.
6 My soul waits for the Lord
more than watchmen wait for the morning,
more than watchmen wait for the morning.

God's greatness continued to expand that I couldn't sing but were afraid tears would pour out if I opened my mouth. To God be the glory and praise.