Ecclesiastes 12:1 & 6-7
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"...... Remember him before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
Time surely flies. November will arrive in 1 weeks time and soon it will be time for Christmas and before you know it, poof!, 2006 would have come to an end and 2007 would have begun. I recall the watchnight service of 2005 where someone shared that 2006 would be a great year, and my spirit acknowledged - "Yes! 2006 will be a great year". Thus, our Expedition Rangers theme for 2006 became "A Great Year".
At times like these when we look at the remainder of time left and take stock that some will quickly scramble to make the very best of it. Thanks be to God that I don't have to salvage the rest of the year to make 2006 a Great Year. After September, I would have willingly closed the books of my life and rested on the fact that 2006 had been a great year for me. Not that it was a year of tremendous highs, 2006 has also been a year of aweful valley-like lows.
The Mission trip to Mindanao with Del Paso was wonderful, the awesome holiday to see Sakura's and experience snowfall in Japan, the food of Japan.... and the cool weather of Cameron Highlands. Then, there was the unforgettable moment of experiencing extreme work stress and having clumps of hair fall out, having to undergo excruciating injections on the scalp. Going for endless numbers of interviews to experience rejection at every stop.
As one ages, ever year seems to pass by faster and experiences seem to be hightened in greater dramatic fashion. As I look back at the years that have flown by and attempt to relive through my life's encounters, some are slowly becoming faded memories. Rather, the years of adult- hood and life ahead seems to frought with life's grim uncertainties.
That's why Solomon wisely points out in his old age "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them". The older we get, the more embroiled we are in life's struggles and our vision of life becomes more jaded.
I'm sure it's not me alone who acknowledges, the age of 15-17 (plus minus a couple of years) was the most carefree, exciting time of life. I may be financially more sound now, with experience behind me, some years of wisdom but somehow...what's missing in my life is the zeal and passion of youth. The reckless attitude to do anything then and the boundless energies to do anything under the sun. The relentless pursuit for God. Now, even before I become a senior citizen, it seems that everything already gone awry.
For any youths reading this, and feeling overwhelmed by exams, parents and the need to excel in life, I reiterate Solomon's wisdom to you. I envy your youthfulness and unlimited vigour for life. Even though I don't envy the limited maturity, horrid exams and stubborn idiocy at times, it's really an astounding phase in time where you get to experience the world as your oyster and God as the Almighty Creator God.
If I could relive my youth days, I would do much more for God - come to services, prayer meetings, interceed in pre-service prayers, serve in any capacity provided, attended all the camps / conferences and compelled myself to go out for as many Missions as possible (worked part-time to finance it all!). Small molehills (large mountains then) such as exams and activities with friends wouldn't keep me away from experiencing all of God because in hindsight they were all but a road bump in life's journey.
For the rest of us 'oldies', we're just not youths, but neither are we incapicated aged folks. It was hilarious when we positioned ourselves in Jeremy's wedding and righteously declared that we were neither youths nor grown adults (which was the category of those married with kids in tow). Regardless of how we categorise ourselves as young adults or un-old adults, the wisdom preached by Solomon applies. "Remember the Creator God before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken".
What's all this silver cord, golden bowl, pitcher and water wheel meant to illustrate? I interprete this to be various phases of life that we would have to go through.
i. Silver cord is when we are still tied to our parents (aka they give us allowances)
ii. Golden Bowl is when we become financially stable and affluent (aka with a credit card and money to enjoy frills such as holidays)
iii. Pitcher is when we start becoming responsible for others and working to share blessings into other's lives (aka when we become leaders or parents)
iv. Water wheel is when we work industriously to maintain our life and is an essential part of life's processes (aka when we are middle aged in our 40s-50s or as we become senior citizens with leisure time to help others)
The year is coming to an end. I know that all I experienced has already demonstrated that 2006 is a great year, but in my heart I claim in faith that I've yet to experience the full greatness of the year and that God has more instore to end it off in greater greatness.
What about you? It's never too late to salvage and scramble to end this year on a great note. (It's definately better than not doing anything and leaving life at status quo!). I pray that you'll be provoked into action by the wise sayings of Solomon and live out your lives zealously doing things for God as required in the days of your youth.
Blessings,
M.
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." Proverbs 3:1-2
25 October 2006
Days of Your Youth
Ecclesiastes 12:1 & 6-7
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"...... Remember him before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
Time surely flies. November will arrive in 1 weeks time and soon it will be time for Christmas and before you know it, poof!, 2006 would have come to an end and 2007 would have begun. I recall the watchnight service of 2005 where someone shared that 2006 would be a great year, and my spirit acknowledged - "Yes! 2006 will be a great year". Thus, our Expedition Rangers theme for 2006 became "A Great Year".
At times like these when we look at the remainder of time left and take stock that some will quickly scramble to make the very best of it. Thanks be to God that I don't have to salvage the rest of the year to make 2006 a Great Year. After September, I would have willingly closed the books of my life and rested on the fact that 2006 had been a great year for me. Not that it was a year of tremendous highs, 2006 has also been a year of aweful valley-like lows.
The Mission trip to Mindanao with Del Paso was wonderful, the awesome holiday to see Sakura's and experience snowfall in Japan, the food of Japan.... and the cool weather of Cameron Highlands. Then, there was the unforgettable moment of experiencing extreme work stress and having clumps of hair fall out, having to undergo excruciating injections on the scalp. Going for endless numbers of interviews to experience rejection at every stop.
As one ages, ever year seems to pass by faster and experiences seem to be hightened in greater dramatic fashion. As I look back at the years that have flown by and attempt to relive through my life's encounters, some are slowly becoming faded memories. Rather, the years of adult- hood and life ahead seems to frought with life's grim uncertainties.
That's why Solomon wisely points out in his old age "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them". The older we get, the more embroiled we are in life's struggles and our vision of life becomes more jaded.
I'm sure it's not me alone who acknowledges, the age of 15-17 (plus minus a couple of years) was the most carefree, exciting time of life. I may be financially more sound now, with experience behind me, some years of wisdom but somehow...what's missing in my life is the zeal and passion of youth. The reckless attitude to do anything then and the boundless energies to do anything under the sun. The relentless pursuit for God. Now, even before I become a senior citizen, it seems that everything already gone awry.
For any youths reading this, and feeling overwhelmed by exams, parents and the need to excel in life, I reiterate Solomon's wisdom to you. I envy your youthfulness and unlimited vigour for life. Even though I don't envy the limited maturity, horrid exams and stubborn idiocy at times, it's really an astounding phase in time where you get to experience the world as your oyster and God as the Almighty Creator God.
If I could relive my youth days, I would do much more for God - come to services, prayer meetings, interceed in pre-service prayers, serve in any capacity provided, attended all the camps / conferences and compelled myself to go out for as many Missions as possible (worked part-time to finance it all!). Small molehills (large mountains then) such as exams and activities with friends wouldn't keep me away from experiencing all of God because in hindsight they were all but a road bump in life's journey.
For the rest of us 'oldies', we're just not youths, but neither are we incapicated aged folks. It was hilarious when we positioned ourselves in Jeremy's wedding and righteously declared that we were neither youths nor grown adults (which was the category of those married with kids in tow). Regardless of how we categorise ourselves as young adults or un-old adults, the wisdom preached by Solomon applies. "Remember the Creator God before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken".
What's all this silver cord, golden bowl, pitcher and water wheel meant to illustrate? I interprete this to be various phases of life that we would have to go through.
i. Silver cord is when we are still tied to our parents (aka they give us allowances)
ii. Golden Bowl is when we become financially stable and affluent (aka with a credit card and money to enjoy frills such as holidays)
iii. Pitcher is when we start becoming responsible for others and working to share blessings into other's lives (aka when we become leaders or parents)
iv. Water wheel is when we work industriously to maintain our life and is an essential part of life's processes (aka when we are middle aged in our 40s-50s or as we become senior citizens with leisure time to help others)
The year is coming to an end. I know that all I experienced has already demonstrated that 2006 is a great year, but in my heart I claim in faith that I've yet to experience the full greatness of the year and that God has more instore to end it off in greater greatness.
What about you? It's never too late to salvage and scramble to end this year on a great note. (It's definately better than not doing anything and leaving life at status quo!). I pray that you'll be provoked into action by the wise sayings of Solomon and live out your lives zealously doing things for God as required in the days of your youth.
Blessings,
M.
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." Proverbs 3:1-2
Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"...... Remember him before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken; before the pitcher is shattered at the spring, or the wheel broken at the well, and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
Time surely flies. November will arrive in 1 weeks time and soon it will be time for Christmas and before you know it, poof!, 2006 would have come to an end and 2007 would have begun. I recall the watchnight service of 2005 where someone shared that 2006 would be a great year, and my spirit acknowledged - "Yes! 2006 will be a great year". Thus, our Expedition Rangers theme for 2006 became "A Great Year".
At times like these when we look at the remainder of time left and take stock that some will quickly scramble to make the very best of it. Thanks be to God that I don't have to salvage the rest of the year to make 2006 a Great Year. After September, I would have willingly closed the books of my life and rested on the fact that 2006 had been a great year for me. Not that it was a year of tremendous highs, 2006 has also been a year of aweful valley-like lows.
The Mission trip to Mindanao with Del Paso was wonderful, the awesome holiday to see Sakura's and experience snowfall in Japan, the food of Japan.... and the cool weather of Cameron Highlands. Then, there was the unforgettable moment of experiencing extreme work stress and having clumps of hair fall out, having to undergo excruciating injections on the scalp. Going for endless numbers of interviews to experience rejection at every stop.
As one ages, ever year seems to pass by faster and experiences seem to be hightened in greater dramatic fashion. As I look back at the years that have flown by and attempt to relive through my life's encounters, some are slowly becoming faded memories. Rather, the years of adult- hood and life ahead seems to frought with life's grim uncertainties.
That's why Solomon wisely points out in his old age "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them". The older we get, the more embroiled we are in life's struggles and our vision of life becomes more jaded.
I'm sure it's not me alone who acknowledges, the age of 15-17 (plus minus a couple of years) was the most carefree, exciting time of life. I may be financially more sound now, with experience behind me, some years of wisdom but somehow...what's missing in my life is the zeal and passion of youth. The reckless attitude to do anything then and the boundless energies to do anything under the sun. The relentless pursuit for God. Now, even before I become a senior citizen, it seems that everything already gone awry.
For any youths reading this, and feeling overwhelmed by exams, parents and the need to excel in life, I reiterate Solomon's wisdom to you. I envy your youthfulness and unlimited vigour for life. Even though I don't envy the limited maturity, horrid exams and stubborn idiocy at times, it's really an astounding phase in time where you get to experience the world as your oyster and God as the Almighty Creator God.
If I could relive my youth days, I would do much more for God - come to services, prayer meetings, interceed in pre-service prayers, serve in any capacity provided, attended all the camps / conferences and compelled myself to go out for as many Missions as possible (worked part-time to finance it all!). Small molehills (large mountains then) such as exams and activities with friends wouldn't keep me away from experiencing all of God because in hindsight they were all but a road bump in life's journey.
For the rest of us 'oldies', we're just not youths, but neither are we incapicated aged folks. It was hilarious when we positioned ourselves in Jeremy's wedding and righteously declared that we were neither youths nor grown adults (which was the category of those married with kids in tow). Regardless of how we categorise ourselves as young adults or un-old adults, the wisdom preached by Solomon applies. "Remember the Creator God before the silver cord is severed, or the golden bowl is broken".
What's all this silver cord, golden bowl, pitcher and water wheel meant to illustrate? I interprete this to be various phases of life that we would have to go through.
i. Silver cord is when we are still tied to our parents (aka they give us allowances)
ii. Golden Bowl is when we become financially stable and affluent (aka with a credit card and money to enjoy frills such as holidays)
iii. Pitcher is when we start becoming responsible for others and working to share blessings into other's lives (aka when we become leaders or parents)
iv. Water wheel is when we work industriously to maintain our life and is an essential part of life's processes (aka when we are middle aged in our 40s-50s or as we become senior citizens with leisure time to help others)
The year is coming to an end. I know that all I experienced has already demonstrated that 2006 is a great year, but in my heart I claim in faith that I've yet to experience the full greatness of the year and that God has more instore to end it off in greater greatness.
What about you? It's never too late to salvage and scramble to end this year on a great note. (It's definately better than not doing anything and leaving life at status quo!). I pray that you'll be provoked into action by the wise sayings of Solomon and live out your lives zealously doing things for God as required in the days of your youth.
Blessings,
M.
"My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity." Proverbs 3:1-2
