Acts 20:32
Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
Yesterday, I received shocking news about the sudden passing of a youth I met some years ago in my mission trip to Muar. He was with his family on a holiday when their vehicle met in a head-on collision. His father, grandmother and 2 younger sisters died leaving his mother and younger brother and two sisters behind.
Just a few weeks ago, he linked up with me over facebook and we had a few brief exchanges. I was glad to have him add me as a friend because I do not have the habit to search out for friends and attempt to add them, lest I be rejected or seen as needy. An act of self-preservation, I guess. However, I am grateful to have the period of grace to correspond with him before his untimely passing.
His name is Joash Wee. He's a handsome chap and had great character. One of those whom you just love after meeting for 30 minutes and hope your children grow up to be like him or marry. In Muar, he shared about his aspirations and over time I witnessed his pursuit of life through the occasional correspondences and his blog entries (flashesofashes.blogspot.com) the live he pursued in the next 3-4 years. You feel the drive and youthful passion of soccer, tennis, guitar, music, his family and studies. Yet, this was someone grounded in his love for God and family. I wish many of my ERs and young commanders would live their lives as he did.
Just last week, our last correspondence on 15 June was about his completion of mass communication studies and how he would be going to start his attachment. Unfortunately, that was the last mail we had.
I am saddened by his passing because this was such a good person with such great potential. His time on earth just seemed too short and life seems to give him an unfair deck by having him gone after graduating from his studies. But it is in such contemplative times that I acknowledge the grace of God given in all situations. Grace, as He allowed Joash to live fully as a great example and then to bring him back to heaven in the prime of his life. Grace, because I had the chance to meet, know and keep in touch with him and find encouragement that he was growing well and faithfully before man and God.
As I walked home last night, I pondered over how many of his generation before me are living such crappy lives. Many would not be able to boast of much accomplishments or being seen as a person of Godly character. This fact really saddens me because what's the point of living longer but crappier lives tethering on not making it to heaven? But, yet, the grace of God is there to add days to our lives, so we can work at their lives and hopefully be transformed into Christ-like individuals.
For the grace of days given to your life, I pray you will cherish them and not squander them. Because if they were added to the life of Joash, I'm sure he'll live them to the satisfaction of God.
Goodbye Joash, I pray that I will always be reminded to live my life faithfully as you did in your limited days because I want to meet you in heaven when my own time is up.
M.
