A good reminder

Perhaps the question here would be “What or who are we working hard for?”

Earlier this year I felt or rather discovered that my perfect GPA which I got last semester was meaningless, as in there is no purpose what so ever for it, I didn’t felt fulfilled despite reaching the pinnacle for of university undergraduate achievement.

Problems like this usually appear when you think inside the box, which most people being brought up by the Singapore education system usually tend to because of “route learning” (Pang 1982; Gopinathan 1998; Chua 2006).

But I think the question should not just end there, however if we actually take the time to ask a further question on it, “Why is there no fulfillment?” followed by “What or who are we working for?”. It is strange that such a question would strike me at a time like this; strange indeed. Since receiving last semester’s results I have been trying very hard to maintain it from the looks of my assignment results for this semester I might just be able to pull it off again. And now this question “Who am I working so hard for?”.

Remember your creator… it all started with this phrase. If we were created in the same image as our creator and material things/works do not fulfill our creator, neither will it fulfill us. So how then do we find purpose in working so hard when the rewards are from this world? There are basically two things to consider; firstly are the rewards ONLY from this world? And secondly upon what do we focus on when we work hard?

It is rather clear that it can be all about focus. Upon what do we focus on when we do things? I’ll just quote from a conversation I just had recently “perhaps it doesn’t matter if u can maintain at it, or whether ur parents expect excellent grades... work hard at pleasing ur King...” So, don’t just work hard because your parents expect you to do so, or just because you want to challenge yourself. Work hard because your Father is happy to see you achieve, work hard because your Master/King will be pleased by your efforts and work hard because a Friend will encourage you to do so.

References

(I’m adding these references because I am aware that people disagree with me saying the Singapore education system is based on route learning and spoon feeding. This is just saying, it is not just my personal opinion.)

Chua, S. K. (2006). A critical discourse analysis on the translation practice of the Singapore’s 2004 educational reforms. Queensland, University of Queensland.

Gopinathan, S., Pakin. A., Ho. W. K., Saravana V. (1998). Language, Society and Education in Singapore, Times Academic Press.

Pang, E. F. (1982). Education, manpower and development in Singapore, Singapore University Press.

What is university life about?

Some would be tempted to just say "Education?"

To me by saying that, you have under estimated life. If you want an education go read a book or something. You don't need to go to school to learn something. So what than is university life about?

Not just education, put it this way, assignments and reading you'll have everyday and you'll be stuck doing them everyday. So what do you get to do in uni that is apart from this? Have fun?

Note this assignments and partying you can do every other day, but to be able to shape and make an impact in the life of another, is not something you get to do everyday.

So university life is more than an education, it about changing a life, making a difference, otherwise, just go read a book or something.

Why 2 and half years?

Why did I have to wait? Why was I made to wait 2 years before I was able to teach and another 2 and the half years before I was filled with knowledge and another 1 more year before I was given my own ministry?

The answer is very simple....because God couldn't use me back then...

5 long years, wow this is amazing, I don't why, I just thought now since I'm on the verge to handing over my duties in OCF, I retraced the time where it all started. Foochow Methodist Church (Rex cinema) how long ago was that, I voiced out that I wanted to be a teacher because I felt there were too many things that God had done and I wanted to spread it. Back then it was only the head that was willing, I had no knowledge, no will power and I didn't have a true understanding of I wanted to teach. So, I went into Cell groups, of course feeling disappointed, the question was still "Why wasn't I allowed to teach?" I couldn't even sort out my own life back then, much less to help out in somebody else's. Come to think of it, it was a good thing God didn't allow me to teach. Plus the pride factor as well. What is it with all men? Why does God always have to humble every man before they can be used? (Original Sin lor)

This is just so amazing, to discover that each and every step of the way was planned by God. I think He knew I wanted to teach in ministry all along, and it took 5 years to prepare my heart, smash my pride, and add knowledge, not just knowledge that stays in the head, but heart knowledge.And it all happens in just the right time, I was asked to become a Co-leader, after I entered army, I was given knowledge just before I left for further studies and now after serving for 1 year I am given my own ministry; the timing is just prefect.

From here on, I think its no longer how much we wait, but the fact that everything is according to God plan and timing. So it doesn't matter how long we wait or even if it doesn't happen we just have to know, it happens for a reason and it is all in God's perfect plan.

Another Random Thought

This is another random thought, or rather I've been thinking about it since easter.

From a normal person's point of view and all, if you nail a human being onto something, he/she will more or less stay that. What if it is not a normal human being?

Which leads me to this question, Is it possible for 3 man made iron nails to hold Jesus Christ on the cross?

Well, we all know the story, we all know that He was nailed there, but what held Him there? the 3 nails? This is the Son of God we are talking about, He is no normal man, and yet 3 nails...

Would He seriously be powerless to do nothing, and just stay there? I don't think so and 3 nails, neither do I think so.

So what held Him there?

The problem

Well, as usual I can't sleep again, and I suddenly have this offensive topic which I have just decided oh what the hell, I'll just post it anyway...

(Be warned strong language will be used, however it has no direct intentions and it being used just as a comparison)

What is the problem with us? What is the problem with the world today?
Seriously, if any is going "is there a problem?" you are either delusional or just plan stupid. If somebody decides to go "it depends on how to define problem", than seriously, don't read on, cause its as good as saying, "I can't win this argument on your grounds, thus I shall re-define on my grounds so I stand a better chance.".....piss off....

So what is the problem? Could it be original sin? Well, some might just agree for it to be original sin, now I would like to suggest a different way of looking at it. Is it really original sin? or is it our failure to recognize/admit to original sin?
Can the human race be more proud of ourselves? It is rather obvious I stand for the latter. Yet I can't believe it, can humankind really be more proud?
We would never admit to original sin, simply because we are sore losers to begin with, we feel we cannot be criticized and we feel we are just simply too good to go wrong.

What is the message the world is selling us today? We cannot be weak, we cannot give up, we must fight all the way...apparently this "never say die" attitude has been getting us in to more trouble than we think. It makes us too stubborn to admit defeat to sin, it makes us too stubborn to say I was wrong. It makes us ask the give excuses like "But I am not that bad", "It was your fault to begin with.", "You made me do it". Isn't it strange people believe that someone can make them feel anger, but never believe someone can make them feel loved?

We are too stubborn to lose, every time we lose, we blame somebody else, we never look at ourselves, have we been too sensitive in this case? did I fail to understand that person? did I fail to take account of the hurt I caused this person? It is true we are sore losers, more evidently shown in the later generations, I am very sure the generation above mine would say this to my generation and the next to the next. Have anybody ever thought about the question "So how are the new recruits/students/employees?" Our answer would usually be "They are hopeless." Guess what? our seniors used to think that of us as well.

Which brings me to my second point, we cannot be criticized, and we are too proud to be criticized. Ever so eager to accept praise, never ever willing to listen to criticism. Every time we get criticized we aspect someone to comfort us, we aspect an apology. But first are we willing to reach down and comfort somebody? Are we willing to apologies first? And even when you are being apologized to are you gloating? Or are you thinking "I did something wrong as well."? Just a short survey, How many people actually like others pointing out their flaws? I know I don't. Do you?

Somehow or rather human beings are ever so eager to humiliate one another, the moment we get a chance to bring down another person we will cease the opportunity. Why so? Because it means we are stronger, it means we are better, it means we have defeated them. And even then we try to do it gracefully, sarcasm, in-direct insults...etc. However if I may just ask, what is the difference from say "Shit" as compared to saying "F***" when the intentions are the same? We are still cursing someone. Does being graceful set us apart when we are still bringing down another human being?

How proud can the world be? Can we ever admit to defeat? Can we ever admit the problem is us? Can we accept criticism? Can we admit that we have lost?

How much has the world fallen? Seriously how much?