Bend it like Jesus
Modern society has taken its deepest plunge yet into the depths of darkness. Just for a note, the legalisation of bar top dancing epitomises the direction where our world is heading towards. Currently, the common mindset amongst the people of the current generation is this: The norm is normal. Therefore:
- Pre-marritual sex is ok.
- Vulgarities are ok as long as the other party is not hurt.
- Doing things that evryone else does means what you are doing is perfectly alright.
These are some more predominant examples I can conjure up at the moment, but it is enough for us to come to a conclusion that the society of today, no matter the ascendency of our already superior technology, are failing when it comes to rudimentary morality. Continuing to live as a ‘perfect’ model student or person is deemed as too old-fashioned, or just plain dull, maybe even ‘not normal’. Well, THAT’S GOOD.
All this talk about individuality and identity and all we see in society is the commodity of the people of today. The same type of fashion on all individuals, the same type of wax on everyone’s hair, and same brand of water bottles, bags, purses. What is there not similar? Of course, if you argue that the probability of a person being totally similar to another person is approximately zero it is logically incontrovertible. However, so strong is the influence of trends today that individuality has become defined as not being what we (and for that matter our parents) used to be. We want to be different from THEM. Being similar to the ‘new generation’ = unique identity. Being similar to the ways in which our parents (for that matter the ‘older generation’) lived their lives = unindividualistic. REALLY?
Being unique is not about style, looks, poses. Being an individual is not aboutnot becoming something that is deemed as the common, because if so, people should not continue to play pokemon, magic: the gathering, yu-gi-oh, games or even go to school for that matter, since almost everyone living a decent life do it. WE ARE ALREADY INDIVIDUALS. Ever wondered why there is only one you?
God MADE everyone an individual different from everyone else. We think differently. We have different taste and preferences. Different gifts from god. Why bother doing something everyone else does? The greatest example of individuality is our lord Jesus Christ. He could become tempted by worldy desires. He could have gave up due to the weakness of the flesh. But he did not. He did want he wanted, to fufil his mission on earth. The fact was Jesus always acted according to what he was, and according to the truth. Take example: Smoking is bad. However, since many smoke, is it ok. NO, IT IS NOT OK. Would it be ok to have a relationship with your mother? Is it ok to mate with your own daugther? These are things you know is wrong. Why? Because everyone recognises it is incorrect behaviour and this is the turth. But what about incorrect behaviour which is now deemed ok? Wrong can only be wrong. More wrongs does not make right, and everybody commiting errors together does not make it right too. The holy spirit within you knows what is the truth, and ultimately what is right. You do not have to follow everyone. You THINK like yourself for a reason, you are moulded as you are for a cause. ‘God does not play dice’.
We need to be like Jesus. When all around him sink into darkness, when all walk blindly following each other, Jesus walked the path of truth and strayed from the norm. We must be uncandy about our morals, and if the path is not right, god left 
. Jesus took the initiative to show us how to be an individual: Be what god made you, be what god orders you, obey god’s mission. It is not following orders, because orders are carried out in groups, systematically. Your purpose given to you by god can be done OTOT, with added flavouring and style to boot. Bend from all influences that may cause you to make incorrect decisions, and follow the lead of Jesus.
So long to status quo.
My tears shall flow a river
I still remembered the very first time I broke down in tears. I was confronting a self I could never except, not even now. I was 12 back then, a little boy who made a decision to skip my tuition class for one day, so that I could… I forgot -_-”‘ Back then, I reflected on my actions at night, and I went downstairs. On the marble which stretches the whole bottom floor, I kneeled on my knees and cried. Repenting on my actions, how irresponsible I was, how I have let down my parents, who shed sweat and blood to earn the money so I could become academically adequate.
The second time I broke down in tears was when I was hit with the realisation of how much my mother actually loved me, how I always thought she did not care, but how utterly wrong I was. What made me shoot her with flaming darts has long been forgotten, but the smile and the honesty shattered my heart, and made me realise the injustice I have brought upon her. Which mother would actually not love her son? That night, I cried for all the wrongs I brought upon her.
That night at Bu Dao Hui, I cried a river. I was made to face every immorality I have ever commited, every evil that dwells within mere mortals, and every corner I turn all I see is the darkness that resides in me. The me that many a times thought of killing others because I hated them, or just to fill superior. The sexual fantasies and disgraceful behaviours I have always found pleasure in. The me that could murder, pillage and rob people of their lives just so I can become superior, rich, famous. STRONG. Never have my actions been put so vividly in front of me, and as my life long achievement of misdeeds flash before my very eyes, I could not stand firmly. Knees were wobbling, my body trembled. I was sinful beyond imagination. that night, when the holy spirit came into me and revealed myself to me, I cried for a man who seemed beyond redemption.
But the lord did not show me these to shame me. He did not tell me how wicked I was. In fact, he never brought up the lies, the stealing, the cheating. He brought me salvation. The tears that fell were for a different reason. Not because I regreted or felt remorse for my own sins, but how the lord was able to love a sinner like me. Not because of the pain I felt because of my actions to harm, but because he knew I was a man commiting all these but still loved me. Not because I was a failure, but because he planned so I can succeed when he knew I would fail. His redemption was unconditional, his love outshone anything I can ever give to him, his amazing grace more absolute then Newton’s laws.
Every tear I could cry not of self pity, but symbolises every sin forgiven. If that is so, I probably cried a river (I did not know. I open my eyes and the for was mat was soaked with muccus and tears). It made me realise I never have actually confronted any of these things to change them, not until I believed in christ. Neither did I comprehend the full extent of his undying love. A human like me was never fit to be in his presence, but he embraced me nonetheless. That night, in a church obscure to half the population of Singapore, I kneeled down before him, and cried a river. That river was where the lord found me drowning, and it was there that the lord lifted me up onto shore.
I am never one who is charismatic, never one to be able to talk very well. Not a person who is accepting, not a man without sin. However, THE LORD LOVES ME. Not accept, not acknowledge, not like. LOVE. And his love changed my whole life around. Therefore, I welcome everyone to join me to seek this true god, this loving father, a saviour as well as a friend, for it doesn’t matter who you are, what you have done. Nothing you can do, can make him love you more, and nothing that you’ve done, can make him close the door.
