A Goal that Lasts

"So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it" -2 Corinthians 5:9

Jesus, thank you for preparing a place of heavenly dwelling for us, where we can be with you for eternity.  Thank you for the hope that comes with the promise of being with you forever.  Thank you also for giving us the Holy Spirit as our Wonderful Counsellor to be with us.

Therefore, let the primary goal of my life be seeking you and looking up to you alone.  "let [my] eyes be fixed on you (Jesus), the author and perfector of our faith" (Hebrews 12:2).  Let my life be an offering of "worhip in Spirit and in truth" (John 4:24).  Let you be the centre of my life and the source of motivation to serve you and live for you.  Help me not to become preoccupied with works that I do, but to live a life that is "hidden with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

Lord, lead me to "run with perseverance the race marked out for [me]" (Hebrews 12:1).  Let your desires be the desires of my heart (Psalm 37:4).  Guide me to "seek first [your] kingdom and [your] righteousness" (Matthew 6:33).

A Reminder to be Thankful

Recently, I was struggling a little bit with unthankfulness as a felt slightly homesick and missed the presence of Chinese culture that I would get back home.  I found myself doubting about the purpose to serving here in school.  I asked the Lord to change my attitude, and he showed me the reason of teaching through children singing a song that I taught in music class during recess, which brought a smile to my face.  Another event that God used to teach me about thankful and gratitude was a play called Our Town, which was put on by some of the high school students in the Ukarumpa community.  It was about the daily life of a small town called Glover's Corner.  See http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/americancollection/ourtown/synopsis.html for synopsis.  It challenges me to take delight in big and small moments in life and to treasure it. 

Here is a couple of quote from the play Our Town:
Emily Webb (at the grave):"It goes so fast. We don't have time to look at one another....Oh, earth, you're too wonderful for anybody to realize you. Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? -- every, every minute."
Stage Manager: "No. The saints and poets, maybe – they do some."

The play reminded me of this Bible verse:
"Rejoice always,  pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18