Friday, June 03, 2011
Just watched a documentary on the history and culture of the Tsukiji market in Tokyo, Japan, known as the world's largest wholesale fish and seafood market. Speaking of one of the long-time fish mongers sharpening his knife, the commentator said something that went like this: 'the skill has become the man, and the man has become the skill - this captures the very spirit of the Tsukiji market'. The art of sharpening even the tools of the trade require such accuracy, precision and dedication that the fish monger would risk his hands getting cut by the knife as a small cost for his job.
Though it might sound slightly far-fetched, such dedication reminded me of sacrifice a slave of Christ has to make for his/her Master. Am I willing to face conflict, persecution or even death for Him? Can I say that I have manifested my life in Christ just as He has in me? A timely thought and reminder.
topsy turvy-ed @ 12:02 AM
Wednesday, June 01, 2011
Now, at the supposed crossroads of life, one often stops to ponder as I do - what does the road of non-school life look like now that academia ceases? How about work, relationships, health, plans for the future? All these are definitely unknown as of now. It just seems like a fog from where I am standing at the 20-something year old step of my life road. All I know is that one has to choose the right perspective to take the next step and the next and whatever other steps life entails. That perspective can only come from God and what other demand that He requires except that one takes up his own cross and follows Christ (Luke 14:26-33). There is none. Therefore, I pray the same prayer as Betty Stam, inscribed in her bible and found after she and her husband John Stam were killed in China while serving as missionaries in 1934:
Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all, utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, send me where Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever.
topsy turvy-ed @ 3:33 PM
