Year of the Snake

For the past few days I was in the zone, whether it is a public holiday or not, I work all the time. Even driving to my brother's place last night for New Year's Eve dinner, I was thinking about my three sessions that I needed to lead and speak during tomorrow's leaders' retreat. Sure, I could rest the next day on Friday but I am slotted to lead prayers on Friday, usually preceded by a 15 min sharing from God's Word. On Saturday if my energy levels permit, I will attend the Rehearsal by the worship team and by the time I return home it will be 11pm at night and the next morning on a Sunday I normally get up before 5am to prepare myself to preach in the Sunday service at 9am. Who is adequate for all these?

My brother who is a High Judge spoke of the work stress, hearing cases, making judgments and once done, it is followed by new cases sometimes, on weekly or daily basis. I listened patiently to my brother, but nothing beats the work of a pastor-preacher who is always on his toes ready to serve as a soldier of Jesus Christ. Whatever stress or skill needed to be a judge, it is at least remunerated handsomely, and my pastor's salary is just about 11 or 11% of the pay of a High Court Judge. In fact, a close friend commented to me that he felt I would have been appointed a Judge long ago if I did not give up legal practice 32 years ago. 

But I am leading a church, the church of Jesus Christ. I seek God's will and His pleasure, to ensure in everything we say and do, we honour the Father of glory and in church, His glory dwells and in Christ Jesus (Eph 3). No wonder Paul was concerned how the church members behaved when they gathered as church and the apostle gave them 4 chapters of church rules and regulations, while subjecting themselves to the Holy Spirit and the Lord's commands. There is no contradiction that a Spirit-led church gathered for worship is free from all commands and rule and Paul made it clear in 1 Corinthians 11-14. If only the church listens to half of Paul enjoins in those four chapters, the church would have found themselves in a wasteland and wilderness in many places. 

As for the Chinese, the Lunar New Year means we are older by another year. The year of the dragon is past, and I am one year older, way past 60 now. I feel extremely young at heart and there is nothing one can do with grey hairs but to accept the fact of aging and take grey hair a crown the Lord gives to those who are wise and mature in Christ. 

Physical age is no guarantee of wisdom. Many people in their 50s or 60s or even 70s waste their lives away, spend it all as if there is no tomorrow, living carelessly. Easily trapped by the things of the world. Men, must take note, so easily captured by a woman's beauty and I know not one or two but a few men in their late 50s or 60s threw away their fortunes for a young lass, for some romantic flings of a year or two or perhaps just a few months. The Year of the Snake calls for wise living, as a snake in the Chinese culture is a sign of wisdom just as in the Bible, snakes too can be a positive symbol in that Jesus himself said, "Be wise as serpents, and gentle as doves".