A Second Touch

As I was preparing a sermon lately, I came across this blog: “Why did Jesus have to heal the Blind Man Twice in Mark 8?” I never questioned about Jesus’ ability to heal the man perfectly in his first touch. But I wasn’t sure what point he was trying to make by having the second touch on the blind man. Ched Spellman explains that the second touch was for the disciples, for us—to tell us that just as the sight of the blind could have been restored at the first touch, but the blind man still needed the multi-stage of healing to see. Similarly, though Jesus once clearly demonstrated who he was in his work, the disciples could only gradually accept the fact through repeatedly experiencing miracles.

It is certainly very true in my life lately. I thought I have learned the lesson of provision when I was at Regent and in some difficult years when my family ran into financial crisis. Apparently, I was wrong. My past experiences told me God’s provision came through unexpected way and way that I might not like. But, I was still taken back to find out a missionary friend is giving for me. Once again, God is showing me His sovereignty and that I should not limit His provision to what I accept as reasonable. For God and my friends, many are already giving much for His kingdom, I will also give my best and follow their examples. I think I slowly understand this partnership development is becoming a very important part of my life.

Prequel to Saving Private Ryan

On the way back home last Saturday, Austin was singing happily the song “I am in Lord’s army” along with his brother Anson in the car. It was such a joy to hear the children sing. Their mom casually commented while driving, “It is quite strange to hear this kid, not yet two, saying he is in Lord’s army. Image him in the Lord’s army.”

If I were the Lord, I would take him in! I didn’t need him to fight; I would fight for him. He just needed to be willing to be in, as he would be the very reason for me to fight. There and then I started to realize what God was trying to tell us when He said He would fight for us. Who are we that fit to be in His celestial army? To animate it, we would be just as childish, feeble and untrained to Him as Austin to the adults. If we are encouraged and proud for the kids making the bold steps out, I trust God will all the more feel the same way when we make every attempt to please Him and take each step of faith for Him. At that moment, I almost could see the Lord smiling as the kids singing louder and louder, “Ai-m-e-laws-ah-me, yea-s-sir! Ai-m-ei-laws-ah-me….”

Will you be my "George"?

As I was reading the book Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret, I have noted this important person in Taylor's life and in the CIM ministry. I have been praying to God for sending a similar person in my life too. (No, no, not a spouse.) In term of worldly possession, he was described as one "with no more resources than the birds of the air or lilies of the field". Yet, on George Muller's shoulder, there were two thousand orphan children to support. All the challenges in life didn't stop him from praying for the people and work in China. In one of his letters to Hudson Taylor, George wrote:

"My chief objective is to tell you that I love you in the Lord; that I feel deeply interested about the Lord's work in China, and that I pray daily for you. I thought it might be a little encouragement to you in your difficulties, trials, hardships, and disappointments to hear of one more who feels for you and who remembers you before the Lord. But were it otherwise, had you even no one to care for you--or did you at least seem to be in a position as if no one cared for you--you will always have the Lord to be with you. Remember Paul's case at Rome (2 Tim. 4:16-18)." (p.170)

I am both excited and anxious about the future. I know that only with prayers and submission to His guidance would anything meaningful be accomplished. I would like to invite you be "George" in my life. Would you please pray about sharing this journey of faith with me together.

What is enough?

At work, we are in the last quarter of the fiscal year, and are in the heat of finalizing the next fiscal year’s budget. The worldwide financial turmoil is only making the budgeting exercise more challenging than ever. It is not surprising that we need to tighten up our belt to ride through the situation. While working with leaner and stringent constraints, I see something good can be emerged out from it. Working with limitations and constraints forces us to look for waste cycles to improve efficiency, compels us to be creative in solutions, and encourages us to share resources to reduce overheads. As I have brought it up to some of the management, “even if we were given more, there would still be limits.” At the end of the day, what is enough? The best I want to see is that we all can be more accountable—to our shareholders who have invested on us, to our colleague who have given up some convenience and resources for the greater good, to our own conscience, and ultimately, to God.

There was a business opportunity that might help me raise my own support while I am in full-time ministry. I am deeply in debt to even the thought of the offer driven by love. However, I had to pass it, knowing that I would likely become conceited. I am still in my sinful fresh that constraints and accountability are actually do me good. Thus, I willfully want to be held accountable to the church, communities and those who love me. There will be challenges to manage multiple “bosses” and expectations of many “stakeholders”. But my great example is the Son giving up his flexibility, power, wealth and glory to become man with many limitations. In faith, I trust “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places.” (Ps 16:6)