Tactful I Am Not

I did the weirdest thing just a while ago. I went for a walk with my doggy at around 3am. I was unable to sleep no matter how I tried as I was very burdened over someone I love dearly.

Sometimes I just wish I do not have this discerning side of me where I could sense something amiss about someone and after sharing with that person, it turned out to sound like I have judged the individual or seemed to try to control him or her.

It is a super lousy feeling. As I was talking with the Lord during the stroll, I told Him how troubled I was; how inadequate I felt. I confessed to God that my human ability could only bring me that far and that now I could only surrender this person to Him and let Him take over from there.

There were times I wish I could have made myself clearer when I try to communicate certain issues with someone. Well, it still remains a wish because I have not made that person any better but worse it seems.

Anyway, maybe I should just keep things to myself and just pray for the people I am burdened for and leave it as that. Probably God could speak to them better in His own ways. Who am I to do that when I am just only a fellow human being?

I hope the Lord will lift my spirit up later when I worship Him in church.

Well, this morning's experience is just one of those things I hate to encounter in my pilgrim's journey. Perhaps it is a lesson for me to learn.

He Is Risen!

The Liverpool match is on but I am more drawn to blog some of my thoughts down than to watch the Reds play against Birmingham City. Hopefully when I am done, I will still be able to catch the last few minutes of the game.

Today is Easter Sunday - a day to mark the resurrection of Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of mankind on Good Friday. It is amazing to see two very significant phenomena here: one the miraculous rising from the dead of Jesus; and the other an individual who is willing to die for others.

I do not know about you but just these two points show how great Jesus is - to rise from the dead is no ordinary feat and it definitely has to do with some super-natural intervention in order for this to happen. I am not going to dwell on that though but more so to remind myself that the God whom I worship is not dead but alive! That the God whom I embrace as my Lord and Saviour loves me and all in the world that He is willing to die for their wrongs so that fellowship between man and Him can be restored.

I was listening to the sermon this morning and one thing I took home with me was this - God made everything right in my life. Even though I may sin occasionally, He still sees the right in me and not the wrongs... hence His forgiveness is always there when I confess my sins and repent from them. Taking that one step further, for a person who is willing to die for a sinful person like me, if I am not touched by that, I do not know what else would. I cannot deny that I am deeply grateful hence I do not wish to keep crucifying this Jesus by continuing with my wayward lifestyle and pray that He will help me live a life of righteousness! That I am alive in Him and dead to sin! That others will see Christ in me and be drawn to know who He really is!

I can also confidently tell the devil who always meddles with the minds of Christians that I am no more a slave to sins but liberated by the blood of Jesus! That I need not dwell on my sins anymore but more so to work towards a life of godliness and holiness in the remaining days of my pilgrim's journey.

There is no doubt it would be tough because as a Christian, I am also still a human but the difference is that God will be there to walk me through this adventure. When I reach the finish line, may He be pleased with my life.

I wrote this phrase on my Facebook account last night...

"Andy Chew and the world are alive today because of the One who died on Good Friday. Andy Chew rejoices every day because of the One who rises on Good Friday. Hope remains because of the One who lives, for in the tomb there are no remains."

Indeed I can continue to hope because of Jesus, my risen Saviour.

Happy Easter!

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace” Ephesians 1:7