Sometimes it takes a really nasty situation to happen to
teach us an insightful spiritual truth. My most recent car accident and the
subsequent event is an indication of this.
The past few weeks were very hectic, so hectic that I kept
thinking about the things I have been doing. On Thursday evening, after leaving
office, I was careless and met a car accident. The lorry in front of me
suddenly pulled a stop at the traffic light. Thankfully, only my car engine-cover
and bumper were damaged. The lorry was ok. Why did it happen? I should not be
thinking and pondering over bad situations while driving. It’s a very costly
lesson.
Then, when I was washing up after dinner that night, I
noticed that the kitchen sinks were choked. I hate choked sinks. The sinks were
all right the previous night. Why did they happen suddenly? Add to the accident
earlier, I lost my cool and became furious. I grumbled and grumbled. It spoilt the
night and everybody mood. I felt so lousy. Why must this happen to me? Now,
everything has to be interrupted and I have to look for a mechanic. The choked
sinks have to wait.
Come Friday morning, I perfunctory read Our Daily Bread for the usual devotion with my hand phone. Most days,
when the passage is familiar to me, I would skip the Bible text. This morning
the text is the familiar parable of the soils – Matthew 13:13-23. I must
confess that it has been quite a while when I learn to “listen” to the Bible. Today, instead of skipping the Bible text, I mindlessly touch the button, and the Bible text appeared on my screen. That’s
when the real truth began to unfold …
The verse that jumped out to me was verse 22:
22 And the one on whom seed was sown among the
thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world
and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the
word, and it becomes unfruitful.
The 2 things that hit me there and then was “the worry of
the world” and “choke”. I have to admit that for the past few weeks, I was
burden by the concern of my jobs, life and many earthly things. It began to
occupy my thoughts more and more than the presence of God if I am honest to
admit. What is particular interesting is the word “choke” appears on this text.
So, this is the reason why a choked sink happened last night out of a sudden. Sure,
I am a Christian. I believe in Christ. I treasure the Word. I even learn to be
obedient and serve in many aspect of Christian ministry. But honestly, I cannot
say that I am fruitful. To be fruitful is explained in the verse 23, - one who yield
a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. We can serve in the flesh or we can
serve in the Spirit. Flesh-led ministry will only leads to burn-out and little
fruit. Spirit-led-ministry on the other hand is fruitful – 100fold, 60fold,
30fold. With a better understanding after reading and meditating on this
parable, I am illuminated by the Holy Spirit! I began to see all the past
service – teaching ministry; preaching ministry; youth work; anything that the
church ask me to do – are Flesh-led-ministry. No wonder, there is little fruit.
And why is it Flesh-led? A person who is burden by the concern of the world (or
even the church) or the drive for wealth and success will not be able to have a
Spirit-led ministry. The Holy Spirit is easily grieved or quench by us. In the
eyes of fellow Christians, we may appear faithful when we are doing “church-works”.
But as far as God is concern, HE is most happy when what we do is led by the
Holy Spirit.
“So, this is the reason why God did not show me what
ministry I should be involved after leaving the previous church.” I have prayed
many times about this. Always, I sense that the Spirit just want me to learn to
worship the Triune God. “Just be my friend (John 15:15)” was the reply I got
from the Spirit prompting. God is teaching me what spirit Worship is. He
teaches me in many precious occasions. That is another story.
Now I know, what God want me to do is just lay down the
worry of this life.
Agape
