Daily Thoughts

Today was a busy day full of various activities: an online Pre-calculus course, SAT homework, cross country. Nevertheless, I felt today was also very meaningful-I started the day with a powerful scripture passage: Romans 13:12-13. The passage states: "The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." It reminds us that we should not vacillate in our devotion to God, but instead strive to be more like Him. We know that sin is incongruous in our transformed lives, and we should be relentless in ridding ourselves of anything that impedes our walk with God. I do not want to sound "spiritual" in this short discussion-there are already countless of "spiritual" messages. My goal is to be practical, to be faithful to the end despite this volatile world that we live in. Although Christianity is not always easy-we try to maintain our purity, read our Bibles daily, witness to our friends-we should see that it's all worth it in the end when we receive our reward, when the "day is here." So, let us continue in our fervor. Indeed, our faces should not be morose and pitiful in a troubled world, but instead radiant with hope as we share that hope to the world.

A Lesson from an Older Guy

As I was reading my one year Bible today, I came across a a powerful passage-the story about Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20. Moabites and Ammonites were coming to attack him, with their furtive glances and tactics. I'm sure that during those days, the emotional atmosphere was volatile-no one knew whether that week would be their last week. Nevertheless, in response to the hectic situation, Jehoshaphat did was he knew what he had to do: pray. In his veneration to the Lord, he stood in the assembly of the Lord and called upon His name: "See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you"( 2 Chron. 20:11-12). Although the attacks from the two enemies were both flagrant and unjustified-the Isrealietes had every right to complain and get discouraged-the people of God instead looked to the Lord. Likewise, in our present day-full of sexual temptations, pride, materialism-let us keep our eyes fixed on Christ, knowing that He is greater than all of the "Moabites" and "Ammonites" of our days.

Reflection

Life is rough. Today at church, I heard about someone who recently passed away-it was a casualty of an honorable soldier who died in combat. I realized that no matter how meticulous we are in trying to stay safe, events occur and many times they do not go as we would desire. When I heard of this recent passing, I was inundated with conviction, thinking about the day my life will pass. It says in Psalms that our lives of but breaths, like grass-here today and gone tomorrow. What then exactly is our purpose in life? Are we to live a mundane and materialistic life, living only for transient sources of pleasure? No. I believe that in life, if you take away all the superfluous details, on the very bottom of each individual's heart is a yearning for love. It says in Proverbs that what every man desire is unfailing love. For the Christian, the unending, passionate, and jealous love comes from one person: Jesus Christ. Our response to Him should not be superficial, but should be sincere. We should do what Paul said in Romans 6:13: "Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness." Let that be our prayer.