BE INTENTIONAL (5)- Be Grateful and Contented

Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor. — Ecclesiastes 7:12

As my company book closes for the month, it is also the time of the year for me this day to review about life- June has been my most stressful month where my brain usually launched into overdrive and my soul seems trapped in an undercurrent of discontentment:

I cannot count the number of gripes I grumbled and the many complaints I mumbled; 

the mistakes I fumbled and the fall I tumbled; 

much less to track the sins that had me crumbled and the pride that called me to be humble.

June is the month to account for the state of my finances, whether healthy or unhealthy: my brain crunches numbers each night long after I am supposed to be asleep, accelerating my pulse. Issues at work jab me from the right, shove me from behind and punch me square in the nose. As the adage goes, it never rains but pour!

In our rapidly volatile and uncertain present-day economy, money matters and work can drastically elevate our stress. And the double whammy of living in a consumerism culture where instant gratification is celebrated, mankind of the fallen nature categorically do not like to wait: We want instant gratification; we want life’s knottiest dilemmas to be dissolved immediately; we want everything chop-chop.

I guess I am sane, for I am not alone… 

During such challenging times, when my strength wanes and peace eludes me, the thoughts of I-don’t-know-what-is-the-heck-I-am-doing assailed me relentlessly with discontentment gnawing at me ferociously. Temptations of calling quits or running away beckoning… I got real last Monday, coming to terms with my inner struggle, my Spirit started singing away Don’s Moen’s song, “Take Me Deeper”,

‘There is a longing only You can fill,

A raging tempest only You can still…

My soul is thirsty Lord

To know You as I am known

Be in Your Presence 

Forever satisfied…’

Indeed, there was a very deep yearning I had not felt from time immemorial. My soul has been very parched as I got distracted by the cares of this world… And I can’t seem to hear God very much recently, but I knew my spiritual antenna isn’t working well. Interestingly, past online devotionals touched on money matters. And God spoke with a Rhema word, “Continual”:

His continual Presence will be my comfort and strength;

His continual Guidance will direct my every steps;

His continual Infilling of the Holy Spirit will empower me;

His continual Protection will be a canopy over me wherever I am;

His continual Healing will be a living testimony of His Power over my weaknesses;

His continual Faithfulness will be reminders of His never failing Love;

His continual Forgiveness bears the hallmark of His Grace;

His continual Provisions are wrapped in blessings, big or small, each day.

I am very thankful God rein me in. Since I can’t change my circumstances nor ignore my emotions, it takes greater wisdom (since we are more inclined to trusting our own “smart aleckness” and relying on our own strength) in knowing who is the Ultimate safety net to fall back on, and trusting God to bring us through.

The reward for perseverance is – God is faithful- I have received much surprises this week that made nice birthday presents today. I am learning to be grateful for the big and small alike, and count my blessings so that I can cultivate contentment.

BE INTENTIONAL (4): Seeking the Only One True King

Jesus answered, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never hunger, and whoever believes in Me will never thirst. – John 6:35

At this time of the year, a king would stay over at my place for a few days. And my family look forward enthusiastically to have a big feast with him, except me, as I struggle to be hospitable, due to his overpowering body odour. Not long after, the entire house would stink heaven high for hours! (And yes, I should have a deodoriser on standby!) 

Only Singaporeans would know what I am talking about – yes, the durian season with the ever familiar stench of the year is here again, and it is time almost the entire Nation would go ga-ga over the king of fruits. They would even travel the miles just to lay hands on this smelly fruit. And whenever I passed by roadside stalls selling durians, I would never failed to see a single soul craving to polish off the seeds without gesticulating KFC’s famous slogan, “Finger Licking Good”.

If only Singaporeans can turn the same passion in seeking after a one true King, who is the King or Kings and the Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16), whose Fruit* will always satisfied:

Jesus Christ is the true life-eternal-giving Bread, whose Word is life-saving and have the divine power for supernatural intervention. He is to the soul what bread is to the body, nourishes and supports spiritual life. Those who come to Christ, believe in Him, and eat of this spiritual Bread of Life shall be filled and be satisfied in every need. It also sustains the spiritual life in strength, and refreshes the weary.

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And this bread, which I will give for the life of the world, is My flesh.” – John 6:51

Just as our physical body need food every day, our spiritual body need to be fed daily too in order to grow and live well. May this durian season be a great reminder to seek the One True King whose flesh will always satisfied. 

P.S.

Good news for the diabetic, since the sugar content found in this spiritual Fruit* is very healthy. And for those who have sensitive nose, this Fruit* only release sweet-smelling aroma.