Reflections from Media Day – On the World

Cheryl:

For me, I think it’s the issue on Hindus in Orissa who were persecuting Christians, burning down the churches there. It does not have a direct impact on me, but I’ve got the most impression of it because, I was really encouraged by how the Christians there continued to persevere through that “crisis”. Many of them lost their possessions, but did not give up their fight against the Hindus.

I was thinking of how I always complain about my terrible workload, and commitments I have at church, school and tuition (oh and family). Compared to what the Christians in Orissa are facing, mine is actually VERY minor, and I really thank God for how he has blessed me with so many encouraging friends and family members to make my workload less tiring. Also, that I don’t have to go through such a scary experience. Imagine, losing my home, our church and probably friends/ loved ones who may be killed =/ Thank God!

Samuel:

I think I’m most affected by the oppression that Christians face, in general. Thus, one instance of this would be the article in Newsweek criticizing Sarah Palin’s belief that God is consciously in control of the events in the world. It does reflect on the general opinion of the secular world (or perhaps raises doubts among Christians as well) that God is “dead” now and does not hold any relevance despite crises beyond man’s control. It affects me because we have to go against the general consensus now, and, as it were, Christians are put under a “spotlight” and questioned harshly about out notion of an omnipotent and omniscient God.

The next instance would be the oppression of Christians in India and Philippines, where Christians are routinely attacked and discriminated against. On a personal level, I’m led to wonder how my life would be so vastly different if Singapore started to have the same social landscape as places like these.

Another thing that struck me was the formation of a “Christian militant group” as a response to aggression from Islamic groups. It questions what a Christian has to do to respond to realpolitik and threats, that sort of thing.

Lai Peng:

From preparing for Media Day, I learnt a lot. Usually when I open the newspapers, its to read the comics in ‘Life’, or some headlines. So when I had to cut out many articles for the ‘world issues’ station, I really learnt a lot of things like how 450 million people worldwide live on less than $1.25 a day! I think that those of us in Singapore really are very blessed, since we can afford to buy drinks that cost $1.40 every recess, on top of the nice food we eat.

In fact, I think sometimes I spend too much money on things that I don’t really need. As a Christian, I need to be more concerned about the poor around the world. I’ve decided to TRY to buy tissue paper from the poor people who sell them, when I meet them. (Remind me to do so, if you see me walk by one of them without buying)

Nat:

The US recession and collapse of Lehmann Brothers as well as the other major banks makes me worry about the stability of jobs in the banking sector. It teaches me to have learn to have faith in God and pursue what he has called me to. It also makes me thankful that God has placed me in Singapore where things are more stable. These also made me realize how temporal worldly things are since money, family and job stability affects us.

The F1 has made me excited that Singapore is now on a world-class level. It is exciting to see that the entire country came to a standstill for the event. Looking from a different perspective, it is quite interesting to see that people are unaware of the F1 happenings despite Singapore being so small.

Jeremy:

One issue impacting me more directly is the increase of prices and the cost of living e.g. oil prices, inflation. It makes me worried about the future and the cost for me and my family. Sometimes it makes me spend less and save more. Life is becoming more difficult, and people are finding it hard to support and provide for themselves and their family. This can cause people to be more money-centered instead of trusting God. They would instead take earning money in their own direct control.

Li-Shan:

I think the effects of the US financial trouble on top of Singapore’s high inflation rate this year (7.6%) will affect me as prices are rising and if the economy doesn’t grow, it may be harder to find a job in future. Also, other people may be quite poor and only be able to afford even less, so I think there will be more people who need help.

Therefore, I will need to be a good steward of what God gives me (eg. Money) and not be spendthrift or waste money, and also look for ways to help others.

On Inviting Friends – by Cheryl

Hey yfers!

Yh asked me to share about how I invited my friends for the music camp. Since i’m not a very good speaker, i decided to share here! My thoughts will definitely be more coherent here too =P and, must make good use of this lovely website (^^,)

So, have you been praying for this (or these) particular friend(s), that someday they will get to know God as their personal Lord and saviour? That someday they will start going to church and Sunday schools to learn more about Him? That they can be in this unity of faith with us?

BUT, you just cant seem get that ‘great boldness’ of yours to share the gospel with them? Or just lazy and you’re procrastinating? At least that’s how i feel >.< As much as I’ve been waiting, there is never a good timing to share (or so i thought). I personally feel that this camp is a very good opportunity for all of us to introduce those you’ve been praying for, to God!

We can all enjoy the fun of camp together, stay under one roof for FIVE days (quality time), and most importantly, that they will be able to experience this Chirst love through us (and through all the other yfers!) *can’t wait*

Of course, like many of you, i’m really afraid that my friends would just give me the ‘sian’ reply like, ‘huh..why don’t we just organize our own chalet’ or ‘eeyer..church one ar?’.. but.. i just decided to send them an email anw.. at least it’ll give them some time to think, and IF they really reject it, i wouldn’t have to act as if i wasn’t disappointed (or hurt) by their replies.heh…

I’ll share with you the email i sent to my friends. It’s a little personal, but just thought I’d share =) i’m not sure if it’ll help. But since i managed to get a few friends, i hope you’ll be inspired to invite yours TOO!

This is the email i sent them :

hey GIRLS!!
want to invite you all for this “highly anticipated” musical camp that my church is organising at the end of this year! =) they have been organising it since last year!
there’ll be a musical, you’ll get to learn an instrument, meet new people, and maybe understand what i’m believeing in better (dont worry, you wont be pestered one)
it’s kind of like a discovering journey for those who wants to find out more about Jesus Christ
for those who aren’t interested, just come for the fun! =P
it’s music camp afterall, so wont have alot of bible study stuff one..dont worry =)

dont be too hostile towards this camp thing la..k?
go take a look at the video publicity and the website!!

[gives them the links]

BGBS

Phyllis

Media: How did you find BGBS?

Phyllis: A little rushed, but in general it’s good because the whole YF can learn together and it prepares for the DG session later on.

M: What struck you most during the BGBS?

P: What struck me most was the part about ever-increasing glory, which means that our transformation should be more and more, and not lesser or stagnant. So we should become more like Christ, not less.

Liyuan

M: What are some things that struck you most during the BGBS?

L: How my year goal is to do more QT all the time and not actually focusing on getting closer to God.

M: Do you think this issue of making spiritual disciplines an end in itself is a pertinent one to our YF?

L: I think the younger ones have a greater tendency to focus on the doing and not so much on growing closer to God. The older ones are generally ok I guess, though I’m sure they will still struggle.

Cheryl on her SPG outing

24th March (did i get the date right?) was the 1st time I went for SPG outing!! The uni people went to Mind’s Café to play board games! [side track: what if I don’t get into uni? =( ] I was really glad that I went, even though corli couldn’t make it, and I thought I’d feel weird because I’m not very close to the church people yet ( even though I’ve been going for yf for 4 months already -.- ) Everyone was so inclusive. I didn’t feel weird or out of place during the whole spg outing at all.

We played a game where we had to act out, draw or read a sentence to let the rest guess the specific
expressions (on a card, drawn at random) which we took (am I making any sense??). There was another game which was quite similar, but I forgot the name of it. It was my first time playing those kinds of games, ’cause i’m used to playing the more common games, so I was a little reluctant to play
it at first. However, the experience was really memorable! Everyone was so spontaneous, hilarious and involved, which was part of what made the whole outing fun!! =) Especially the trauma I had to go through when I got the expression ‘flirtatious’. How am I supposed to act THAT out?? =S The others unfortunately didn’t give me an easy time. They insisted that I try, even though they already knew which word it was, from the expression I gave when I first saw the card. Everything happened in split seconds, I can’t even
remember what I did. But i didn’t even feel awkward or anything because the others weren’t judgemental at all (that was how i felt).

It was really comfortable with them, and I’m very sure everyone enjoyed themselves!! I didn’t meet them for lunch at PS, neither did I go for dinner at church, so I’m not sure what happened afterwards. Anyway, only Amanda brought a friend along. I really wanted my JC friends to come along, to get to know the yfers
(you all!), but I don’t think it’s going to be easy =( The saddest part was.. I FORGOT TO TAKE PICTURES!! =(

Lastly, I also want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has warmly included me into yf =) I’m always saying this, but I would love to say it again, that I’m thankful I’ve got the chance to come to this church!! =) That’s why, despite the distance, I’m still coming! *smiles*

// looking forwad to more SPG outings! //

Reflections from Media Day – on Movies

Ben Wong on Wall.E

I watched Wall.E on Teachers’ day, and the theme I’m choosing is change.

Over time, even a robot can develop a personality and this is very interesting.

Robots do not have life yet Wall.E could think and interact with other lifeforms (the cockroach)

He is also curious about many things and pursues them.

Well, this should not have happened, but over many, many years the robots program picked p information and soon became almost like a human.

Amanda on Money No Enough 2

I watched Money No Enough 2. The main theme was about filial piety. It was quite touching because it is a value that we should all have, especially Christians. The sacrifice of the mother’s life for her children’s mistake reminded me of the love we should have for each other. Although they are non-Christian in the movie, they managed to grasp an important act of live, which is self-sacrifice.

Ian on The Dark Knight

I recently watched The Dark Knight. An issue that was brought up was the prevalence of crime in the city of Gotham. There were crime syndicates and many evil people, but only a few that were upright. E.g. Batman, two-face the lawyer prosecutor (for the first half of the movie). I felt that it was similar to real life, in a world full of sinners, only Jesus was sinless. Perhaps we are like the policemen, trying to do good, but are not always aligned with Batman. Therefore we should be like Commissioner Gordan, who is close to Batman, so that we can do what is right. With a close personal relationship with God, we will then be able to do what God wants us to do.

Ee Han on Memories of Nobody

The movie (Memories of Nobody) had taught me to love and take care of people around us.

Liyuan on Meet Dave and Over Her Dead Body

Movie: Meet Dave

Theme: Love

It talked about robots developing feelings with influence from Earth. I think it was trying to show how even though there is evil and stuff in the Earth (cos they wanted to destroy Earth), there is still love in the world.

Over Her Dead Body spoke about sacrifice and thinking for others. How sometimes to love is not to possess but to give him happiness. Quite cliché but still valid.

Reflections on Media Day – On Music

Gareth on ‘That’s Not My Name’

It was a surprise to me to find out that this song actually had a deeper meaning to it than just being a song with a catchy tune. Finding out it had a message of identity was cool. It also talks about how people these days dress up just to get noticed. Hah.

Yap Xiong:

1. 1. Apa Ada Dengammu (What’s wrong with you?), Peterpan

-Youth culture tends to make relationships too much a priority (eg Simple Plan, HFI)

-so breakups are pretty common à what do the lyrics say about relationships?

-Lead singer asks his girlfriend: “I am loyal/I’m faithful…so what’s wrong with you?” – assigning blame (?)

-ideally (I suppose) I shouldn’t say this to my future girlfriend

-relationship: both people should seek to reflect God as much as possible.

-Even in a different (non-Western culture) people still get together/break up for the wrong reason

2. 2. Inside the Fire, Disturbed

“Take your place inside the fire with me!”

Supposedly anti-suicide song. Throws around random references to heaven and salvation. But by whose salvation is being considered?

Ultimately cryptic and double-edged à call to release your life might be giving into or repenting from misery.

Suggests an ominous ambiguity à everything goes but just don’t die.

3. 3. Absolute, Thousand Foot Krutch

“We want the truth/give us the absolute!”

Call to search truth and demand a straight answer à from what?

Whose truth does lead singer want me to look for: his truth – what does his truth mean?

Search for truth with all that you are.

Acknowledges some greater power is needed.

4. 4. Nemo, Nightwish

“O how I wish for living rain/O how I long to live again/my empty heart/laid in the dark/nemo my name forevermore”

Self-repentance, desire to “live” (still too cryptic/confusing), knows that there is first a fall and then must live after that

Dark themes à why do I enjoy very ambiguously themed songs?

Ambiguity means messages are allowed to remain hidden.

What does it mean to live again – hope perhaps.

Reflections from Media Day — On the world

Cheryl:

For me, I think it’s the issue on Hindus in Orissa who were persecuting Christians, burning down the churches there. It does not have a direct impact on me, but I’ve got the most impression of it because, I was really encouraged by how the Christians there continued to persevere through that “crisis”. Many of them lost their possessions, but did not give up their fight against the Hindus.

I was thinking of how I always complain about my terrible workload, and commitments I have at church, school and tuition (oh and family). Compared to what the Christians in Orissa are facing, mine is actually VERY minor, and I really thank God for how he has blessed me with so many encouraging friends and family members to make my workload less tiring. Also, that I don’t have to go through such a scary experience. Imagine, losing my home, our church and probably friends/ loved ones who may be killed =/ Thank God!

Samuel:

I think I’m most affected by the oppression that Christians face, in general. Thus, one instance of this would be the article in Newsweek criticizing Sarah Palin’s belief that God is consciously in control of the events in the world. It does reflect on the general opinion of the secular world (or perhaps raises doubts among Christians as well) that God is “dead” now and does not hold any relevance despite crises beyond man’s control. It affects me because we have to go against the general consensus now, and, as it were, Christians are put under a “spotlight” and questioned harshly about out notion of an omnipotent and omniscient God.

The next instance would be the oppression of Christians in India and Philippines, where Christians are routinely attacked and discriminated against. On a personal level, I’m led to wonder how my life would be so vastly different if Singapore started to have the same social landscape as places like these.

Another thing that struck me was the formation of a “Christian militant group” as a response to aggression from Islamic groups. It questions what a Christian has to do to respond to realpolitik and threats, that sort of thing.

Lai Peng:

From preparing for Media Day, I learnt a lot. Usually when I open the newspapers, its to read the comics in ‘Life’, or some headlines. So when I had to cut out many articles for the ‘world issues’ station, I really learnt a lot of things like how 450 million people worldwide live on less than $1.25 a day! I think that those of us in Singapore really are very blessed, since we can afford to buy drinks that cost $1.40 every recess, on top of the nice food we eat.

In fact, I think sometimes I spend too much money on things that I don’t really need. As a Christian, I need to be more concerned about the poor around the world. I’ve decided to TRY to buy tissue paper from the poor people who sell them, when I meet them. (Remind me to do so, if you see me walk by one of them without buying)

Nat:

The US recession and collapse of Lehmann Brothers as well as the other major banks makes me worry about the stability of jobs in the banking sector. It teaches me to have learn to have faith in God and pursue what he has called me to. It also makes me thankful that God has placed me in Singapore where things are more stable. These also made me realize how temporal worldly things are since money, family and job stability affects us.

The F1 has made me excited that Singapore is now on a world-class level. It is exciting to see that the entire country came to a standstill for the event. Looking from a different perspective, it is quite interesting to see that people are unaware of the F1 happenings despite Singapore being so small.

Jeremy:

One issue impacting me more directly is the increase of prices and the cost of living e.g. oil prices, inflation. It makes me worried about the future and the cost for me and my family. Sometimes it makes me spend less and save more. Life is becoming more difficult, and people are finding it hard to support and provide for themselves and their family. This can cause people to be more money-centered instead of trusting God. They would instead take earning money in their own direct control.

Li-Shan:

I think the effects of the US financial trouble on top of Singapore’s high inflation rate this year (7.6%) will affect me as prices are rising and if the economy doesn’t grow, it may be harder to find a job in future. Also, other people may be quite poor and only be able to afford even less, so I think there will be more people who need help.

Therefore, I will need to be a good steward of what God gives me (eg. Money) and not be spendthrift or waste money, and also look for ways to help others.

Spirits and flywheels

I’ve had a pre-recess week film rush: I’ve watched 2 films in 48 hours.First, an Anime masterpiece by Miyazaki Hayao called Spirited Away,and then another one at the VCF Faculty Gathering in Telok Blangah, called Flywheel.

Flywheel, screened after dinner and worship, seems essentially a film directed both at non-Christians and Christians alike; it has two sets of messages that are coded to each different psyche, and it doesn’t take too much discernment to get what the film producers are trying to say. Why the film was chosen to be screened a faculty gathering was a deep mystery I debated on all the way home, which ultimately ended in this dangerous question: does a film need to be “Christian”for it to be shown at a“Christian gathering”?

But that is besides the point and not the main reason for this post. But as someone who enjoys consuming media and popular culture –who definitely takes pleasure in discernable watching and then tearing a film/book/programme apart with interpretations – what did I get out of watching Flywheel? And what did everyone get out of the movie screening?

Flywheel simply shows the downward spiral,then upward spiritual recovery of Joe Austin, a used car salesman. The film is,I feel, spiritually coded – a Christian will have no issues unraveling the messages and, include the pan-sunset shots of the American flag and open-scene views of the main character reading a bible, it is also culturally meant for American Christians. A radically different style and medium (animation) is used where Spirited Away depicts a very typical underdog story.Chihiro/ Senis stranded in a spirit world and, needing to save her parents, the story finds space for her adventures. In contrast, Spirited Away resonates with familiar cultural symbols: lanterns, pigs and the lone dragon, the protagonist’s romance item, Haku.

Like others, I subscribe to the Uses &Gratifications (Katz, 1956)approach to media and popular culture forms – an approach I learnt first as an aspiring Communications rookie, then later when I switched over to Sociology as my major. It states that audiences are active consumers of what they see onscreen, and they use media for their own purposes(hence, the term “uses and gratifications”). A single film or scenario will mean different things to different people, who all interpret the coded messages differently, finally using them for different personal reasons. So, given that there were 40 people at FG,is it an understatement to assess whether we had 40 different interpretations of Flywheel?

The point I’m hoping to make is not too complicated:judging by the amount of laughter, comments and conversation going on through the movie screening, I could assume that people were actively scrutinizing and analyzing the film. Flywheel is, again to me at least, quite a serious movie; it is about spiritual change, renewal, being a Christian practically at work (in the business world) and unconscious self-hypocrisy. But I felt inadequate watching it. It appeared too predictable and miraculous to be actually real (the question then, shifts to being: as a Christian, how real is real?). And still, as a Christian, I wonder how does it encourage me when the protagonist holiness is abstractly related to financial security. And,if I were a non-Christian watching it, I would not be too convinced by the idea that everything fits together so nicely at once upona180-degree moral turnaround.

Moral change, being deeply personal, is admittedly always difficult to portray on film. In Spirited Away, the protagonist Chihiro/ Sen emerges onscreen as a spoilt, whiny brat and ends in movie as the headstrong young heroine who has battled witches,spirits and personal fear. Both Spirited Away and Flywheel do seem remotely related in a basic message they are trying to convey:personal moral change is necessary for you to get your life right. Of course, Flywheel’s creators believe the agent of that change to be a re-dedication of life to Jesus Christ: Joe Austin falls to his knees,while Chihiro/ Sen just endures a lot of obstacles. But in a final comparison of the two films, what message do they have to leave a viewer with?

At the basic level, Flywheel encourages the wayward back to God. Joe Austin recommits his life to Christ, and puts the highest standard of living as his goal. That seems to be more or less the act, because everything – from public opinion,to finances, to family – falls into step after that. Question then: is it really that simple? Is it really just one act that changes everything. The exact theme of Chihiro/ Sen’s tale of maturity is a bit more ambiguous: to mature, to be become dependable and headstrong,requires both a keen appreciation for fellow creatures and a stepping out of the usual zones of comfort. This is, at least,my most elementary reading of it (leaving out the idea of destiny in Chihiro/Sen’s romance with Haku).

So,in truth, both movies pick out each others flaws.And I’m just glad to say that I could watch both back to back, and attempt to link the two together.

A last word: perhaps Christian living, as shown in Flywheel is really that simple: just an act of heartfelt repentance – and then everything else would be aligned to that change of heart. Perhaps we complicate things, rob our service of its simplicity,that all things should use Jesus Christ as the final moral standard for our ministries.So that we can do things with the humility of Joe Austin, but with Chihiro’s life-changing resolve.

Yap Xiong

Edited: 24 Sep 2008

An earlier edit of this article appeared on Epiunleashed. Comments on the author’s article can be posted there.

Movie Review: Dark Knight

Dark Knight is a movie that grabs you by the you-know-what and doesn’t let go till the last scene. It’s one of the few movies where I saw people clapping when the credits rolled. Was it that good? The box office receipts say yes. So do the critics. It is a powerful movie, an adult movie. Compare it to Spider-Man 3 and you know what I mean. It even has a different feel from its predecessor, Batman Begins. No futuristic trains in the sky, Gotham here looks like any major city. It looks like New York, and September 11 is the constant not so subtle subtext. Dark Knight may be a fantasy but it is a fantasy about our life, a vehicle to ponder our questions.

If you are not living in Baghdad, Dark Knight gives you a good feel of what it means to live in constant fear of violence and death. Heath Ledger’s Joker is the star of course. And so the show is about evil, evil that is smart, cruel, and seemingly unstoppable. When the Joker is inflicting his violence, you want to look away, but like road kill caught in the lights of the truck that is bearing down on you, you can’t. Sometimes there is no time to look away, like the scene where the guy gets the pencil through the eye. I was surprised that I didn’t black out during the show. Maybe I did. I held my breath throughout.

Dark Knight is a violent movie, a visual Ecclesiastes. Through the mouth of the Joker, it tells us that everything is meaningless. There is no guarantee that good guys win. Indeed those on the side of the
angels get no special protection from evil as exemplified by the fate of Rachel Dawes. So why bother? Why so serious? Why do we try so hard to do the right thing when it doesn’t guarantee us anything?
Indeed why bother to make any plans at all when we have absolutely no control over what happens in life? The only rational response to the absurdity of lifeis anarchy. Listen as the Joker sells this to a bitter Harvey Dent.

["It's the schemer who put you where you are. You were a schemer.You had plans. Look where it got you. I just did what I did best --- I tookyour plan and I turned it on itself. Introduce a little anarchy, you upset theestablished order, and everything becomes chaos. I'm an agent of chaos. And youknow the thing about chaos, Harvey?It's fair."]

If I had the chance to havea chat with the Joker, I would suggest that the fact that he finds live meaningless and seeks an appropriate response — anarchy — presupposes some intuitive belief that there is such a thing as meaning. I wonder where that came from since the data that life provides seems to argue the opposite?

But the question that the Joker and the movie poses,is a serious one. Why bother doing good when the forces of evil are so powerful? Why continue to work for good when we have no guarantee of victory? Why press on when we are so tired and we do not know how long the battle is going to be? Why so serious? Might as well enjoy life while we can. Eat drink and be merry and a consumer society has many suggestions as to how you can do that in style, with products and services tailored to your income level and credit rating.

So why bother? Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer, who wrote the story that was the basis for the movie, find salvation in a romantic irrational belief in the goodness of human nature. They have the Joker setting up a horrible experiment. He sets up bombs in two ferries, one carrying hard-core criminals and the other carrying civilians. He gives each boat the option of blowing the other one up,or he blows them both up.

[Joker: "At midnight I blow you all up --- both boats, boom, bye-bye. If,however, one of you presses the button, I'll let that boat live. You choose. So who is it going to be --- Harvey Dent's most-wanted scumbag collection orthe sweet, innocent civilians? Oh, and you might want to decide quickly,because the people on the other boat might not be so noble."]

Nolan and Goyer would have us believe that a group of hardened criminals would not take over their ship and press the button to save themselves. Or that a group of concerned citizens would not carry out their decision to execute a bunch of murderers and thieves. Riiiiight. I found the Joker’s position more honest. In the face of the absurdities of life, and the uncertainties of any battle against evil, the human spirit cries out for hope and a happy ending. But if all we have to count on is the goodness of human nature we might as well choose the path of anarchy/hedonism.

This is the real good news — that while we were yet sinners Jesus died for us. This is the real good news — we couldn’t save ourselves but a loving and holy God intervened in history, that He died for our sins and rose again from the dead as concrete proof that death and evil can and have been defeated.

I have come to have fresh appreciation for the Lord’s Supper. It is a commemoration of the reality of what God has done. But it is also a symbol of defiance, a fist in the face of a world where evil and meaninglessness seem to hold sway. Jesus has won the victory and He is coming again to wrap things up. And that is why I am joyfully serious about good and about God.

Nolan and Goyer did get one thing right. In a fallen world, good can only come through sacrifice. In the final scene of the movie we have Batman taking the rap for the murders committed by Harvey Dent so that Harvey Dent’s reputation remains unsullied, and the criminal cases he had successfully prosecuted continue to stand. The innocent takes responsibility for someone else’s sins for the greater good.

[And as Batman crossed the rooftops of the sleeping city, not sure
where he was going, knowing only that his wounds were deep.]

By His wounds we are healed.

Tan Soo-Inn

[*Editor's note: This sharing is adapted from a devotion by Tan Soo-Inn, a christian pastor in Malaysia who writes regular devotions such as this. If you wish to subscribe to his devotions (which are really good!), you can do so here.]

Busy for the right reason

I once read one of those forwarded emails which said that BUSY stood for “Being Under Satan’s Yoke”. At that point of time, I thought that the author of the email waseither crazy or joking. Being busy should be good, right? You can getmore things done, and be so much more productive. But now, when I thinkabout it, he has a point. Even though he was exaggerating, I think thatbeing busy can be bad at times.

I’ve been on holiday since May,and the past few months have been the busiest months in my whole life.Seriously. I attended church camp, leadership planning camp, a planningretreat, went on holiday for week, met up with friends I hadn’t seensince last year, and attended countless meetings. So now I have minutesfor 2 meetings which I have yet to write (one of them isfor Media..sorry Adrian. heh), 2 articles/sharings due, and lots ofthings to think about.

I’m not complaining about it, of course,since I did volunteer to do them. However, I find it very ironic thatI’m busier in the holidays than in school time. After all, during thesemester, I have a LOT of free time to do things that I want to do,like sitting on my bed reading and relaxing. Compare this to myholidays where I haven’t spent a single day at home doing nothing yet.Weird right?

Onething I realised is that when I’m busy, I don’t have time to spendreflecting on my day, and sometimes I find myself rushing my prayersand QT too. Though I spend a lot of time doing things related toministry (like minutes for Media, BS, VCF meetings), it’s at theexpense of my time with God. So writing this sharing was good as itforced me to sit down and reflect on my holidays and made me realisethat being busy is not good for me.

I think many of us willhave times in our lives when we are very busy. I don’t think its bad orwrong to be busy, but we should always have God in the centre of ourlives. As Mr Kenneth Wong said at the church camp, Christ should havepre-eminence in our lives. It’s not enough to just make Him first outof many priorities; everything we do should be for Him. If not, all weaccomplish will be for nothing. Solomon says it better than I can inEcclesiastes:

1:1-2 (Everything that we do is meaningless…)

“Meaningless! Meaningless!”
says the Teacher.
“Utterly meaningless!
Everything is meaningless.”
What does man gain from all his labor
at which he toils under the sun?

12:13-14 (…Unless we fear God and keep His commandments)

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.

Sowhenever we are busy, just remember that we will be called to accountfor everything that we did to God. So make sure you’re being busy forthe right reason!

Lai Peng