By sis Esther Tok
Whenever we talk to our friends about Christ, they usually keep silent or are reluctant to give an answer. They may tell us that they are too busy, that it is hard to make a living, or maybe they are satisfied and contented with what they have now. Some may even find the existence of God outrageous and find it difficult to believe in Him. Although it is plainly revealed in Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,” - How the earth was formed, the complexity of the human body and even the highly organized solar system. Many are perhaps too busy with worldly distractions to consider the origin of these mysteries and some simply push the question away.
We are living in a highly materialistic society and we put all our time into our work to forge a successful and comfortable life. But in the process we pay a heavy price – living with a busy mind and a constantly-worried heart, and many ended up broken and empty. Just as Jesus said in Matt 16:26 “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Yes, life is not easy and not always satisfactory. The affairs of our family, career, and relationships often make us helpless. A carefree life or wealth tends to deceive us into thinking that God is irrelevant. However, James 4:14 reveals to us the unpredictability and uncertainty of life - “whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”
But the apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians in Phil 4:6-7, telling them that as Christians, our outlook in life should be different because we have peace and happiness in the Lord – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
God blesses His children abundantly. He does not hold back on His blessings if we ask in accordance with His will. Christians are blessed with the privilege of prayer that we can let our requests and the desires of our hearts be made known to God through prayer. We can pray to God when we are anxious or stressed – “casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:7). We can pray to God and ask Him for wisdom in dealing with our problems and whenever we feel lost and helpless – James 1:5 “ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” If we need strength to overcome our tribulations, we have this verse in Isaiah 41:10 to assure us - “Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
Even if we are not lacking materially, we have God’s love to make our lives perfect and complete as we are assured and confident of our eternity with our Creator and Saviour – 1 John 4:17 “Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”
Jesus has warned us about the distractions and deceits of this earthly life in Mark 4:3-20. Satan deceives us in many different ways – the knowledge of this world, riches, pleasure of life, and even hardships themselves can be the wayside soil, the stony ground, and thorns that choke the word of God and cause us to be unfruitful. Let us all “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:14) and may we not be discouraged in our labor for our Lord for apostle Paul exhorts the Corinthians in 1 Cor 15:58 – “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
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