the crucible
hello everyone! now that leb has finally added me (heh jk)...
i usually post on my own blog, but i'll make an effort to include anything i feel is relevant over here. i'm extremely grateful for our little community and while saturday afternoons are not always possible owing to the 'exigencies of service' (yes, i've come across this phrase in some directive), this blog is an excellent complement in our day and age. the best is yet to be!
***
1 corinthians 10:13, niv writes, 'no temptation has seized you except what is common to man. and God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. but when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it'.
ns is a crucible of race, language and religion, where citizens of contrasting cultures, classes and creeds combine (ok, i shall stop speaking like the masked vigilante). more importantly, it is also a crucible in the sense that one's character is forged by fire and brimstone during the 2 years or so. it stands to reason that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger; at least that's what nietzsche said. this coming from an avowed atheist may somewhat prejudice our reading of it, but i think it captures the point that challenges are an immense opportunity for personal growth. which is why everyone should experience sispec (haha).
that aside, infusing nietzsche's amoral philosophy with our christian worldview adds a whole lot of meaning to the concept of temptation, or suffering. i think this came up during a conversation with howard, then i went back and thought about it some more. i can't even begin to keep track of the occasions on which God has made a way, where there seems to be no way. truly - and i am quoting from another favourite verse here - we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (romans 8:28, niv). it is not for us to question His sovereignty, but rather to seek His divine guidance in all things.
now i shall just use this space to post the details of my easter sunday baptism:
10am, sunday 16 april 2005
kay poh road baptist church
7 kay poh road (off river valley road)
do drop by if u happen to be around!
i usually post on my own blog, but i'll make an effort to include anything i feel is relevant over here. i'm extremely grateful for our little community and while saturday afternoons are not always possible owing to the 'exigencies of service' (yes, i've come across this phrase in some directive), this blog is an excellent complement in our day and age. the best is yet to be!
***
1 corinthians 10:13, niv writes, 'no temptation has seized you except what is common to man. and God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. but when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it'.
ns is a crucible of race, language and religion, where citizens of contrasting cultures, classes and creeds combine (ok, i shall stop speaking like the masked vigilante). more importantly, it is also a crucible in the sense that one's character is forged by fire and brimstone during the 2 years or so. it stands to reason that what doesn't kill us makes us stronger; at least that's what nietzsche said. this coming from an avowed atheist may somewhat prejudice our reading of it, but i think it captures the point that challenges are an immense opportunity for personal growth. which is why everyone should experience sispec (haha).
that aside, infusing nietzsche's amoral philosophy with our christian worldview adds a whole lot of meaning to the concept of temptation, or suffering. i think this came up during a conversation with howard, then i went back and thought about it some more. i can't even begin to keep track of the occasions on which God has made a way, where there seems to be no way. truly - and i am quoting from another favourite verse here - we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (romans 8:28, niv). it is not for us to question His sovereignty, but rather to seek His divine guidance in all things.
now i shall just use this space to post the details of my easter sunday baptism:
10am, sunday 16 april 2005
kay poh road baptist church
7 kay poh road (off river valley road)
do drop by if u happen to be around!
posted by Luke Leong at 6:02 AM
1 Comments:
good stuff! but i just want to say in defense of philosophy that 'what does not kill me makes me stronger' is indeed a nietzschean concept- however, he was not the first to make this assertion. if anything, he borrowed it from the bible, in which job so wisely said in Job 23:10, "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." the concept of a refiner's fire and coming out stronger and better, even though the flames of perfection get unbearably hot. that's where we derive the song, "refiner's fire- my heart's one desire is to be holy, set apart for you Lord, ready to do your will".
in addition, the wailing prophet jeremiah too recognised this truth when in Lam 3:22-23 he writes, "because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning, great is thy faithfulness!" jeremiah recognised that the fact that we aren't dead yet is a indication of God's grace and daily sustenance- since we are not dead yet, it must be that we become stronger.
much love and prayers- congratulations to you luke on your baptism. i pray that you continue to grow in the Lord, and that His word will indeed be like a lamp and source of light unto your path. as you take the public step of obedience to be baptised, stand tall as a believer, and know that many others stand with you in declaring to the world that we are His, and His alone.
there's a song which aptly summarises the heart of public declaration of faith through baptism: "with our hands lifted high to the sky, and the world wonders why- we'll just tell them we're loving our King!"
Post a Comment
<< Home