THE POLITICIAN

In a social gathering I attended a guest asked me what I do for a living. This question often makes me uncomfortable, and could be embarrassing , though, I am prone pose the same question to strangers with whom I might have the chance to be with.

In our society we are characterized by what we do. So one is expected to answer that he’s a medical doctor, a Professor, an Engineer, or a business executive.

But the embarrassment comes when one doesn’t belong to any particular profession like a housewife. Well, housekeeping  might be viewed by some as lowly, but most housewives, including mine, would vehemently object. All the more the question makes you squirm when you don’t do anything significant, like my friend who in response, would say he’s a freelance all around handy man with nothing better to do, but look for trouble.

In one  movie I saw many years ago, the actor Billy Dee Wiliams who played the character of a cop, was asked by a woman seated with him on a plane what he did for a living. Williams’ reply was a classic. He said “Killing people”.

The prevailing standard is we are what we do. So one time I asked the homeless beggar in the corner what does he do. He’s answer was equally a classic. He said he’s a politician. 

HURRIED PRAYERS

HURRIED PRAYERS

In the Christian Church where I belong, Wednesday of the week is devoted to prayer meeting. The midweek prayer  is a welcome break from the daily grind. Here we can bare our souls to God, pray, and be prayed upon.  It is a time of refreshing as we cast our worldly  cares upon our Savior, and vow not to pick them up again. It gives us the opportunity to be quiet, and still, that we may hear God’s voice.

In one of these days, I am perplexed to hear the worship leader say he is  giving us ten minutes to pray, as if speed is all there is to it in the act of prayer.

Why pray when everyone is in a hurry. This is terrible. 

Why is it that we have to set deadlines, and time patterns even the realm of the spirit?

Churches nowadays   are establishing timelines for every activity under heaven, that everything is rushed and completed to be offered in the altar of measured time.  Every act of worship and service is severely measured.

In my moments of naughtiness, I intentionally defy the bell that rings, calling,  time is up!

Perhaps  some of us have forgotten that our Master and Teacher was never concerned about keeping appointments in terms of measured time. He prayed with no deadlines, even if it took Him the whole night. He used every opportunity, without the slightest care for time. He slept when tired. He did not show disdain of the interruptions that came along His way. Schedules didn’t rule. He even chose to dillydally to prove a point and perform an awesome miracle, by raising a dead man.

If we only realize that real moments and events are God-given opportunities which we should take and make use of, maybe we will not be acting like time keepers,  keeping track of everything. Maybe we will have deeper and fruitful moments of prayer. Maybe we will sooner realize that sending hurried prayers to Heaven are no prayers at all.

MEANINGLESS

MEANINGLESS

I met a traveler from an antique land

Who said: Two vast and trunkless legs of stones

Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,

Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown

And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command

Tell that its sculptor well those passions read

Which yet survive,  stamped on these lifeless things,

The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed;

And on the pedestal these words appear:

“My name is Ozymandias, king of kings

Look on my works, ye Mighty and  despair!”

Nothing  beside remains. Round  the decay

Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,

The lone and level sands stretch far away.

-Ozymandias,  Percy Bysshe Shelley

I hated all things I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave them to the one who comes after me.  And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the work into which I have poured my effort and skill under the sun. This too is meaningless

-Ecclesiastes 2:18-19)

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WORSHIPING WORK

WORSHIPING WORK

“Karoshi” is a Japanese word which means "death from overwork."

This condition is noted in Japan that many working people are said to have died from this malaise. The Japanese government's Labor Ministry has been forced to provide compensation to the families of the so called  “karoshi” victims who sadly died of overwork.  

Why would a man force himself to work until he drops dead?

This is very strange indeed. Many are obsessed with work.

I know of a man who gets the blues when weekends or holidays come. He couldn’t bear to be away from his desk for too long. He feels guilty that he’s not doing anything. He is a hard driver. He drives the personnel under him to  maximum overdrive, and squeezes them to optimum performance. Nobody likes him in the office. He’s often wired, and wants immediate results. He’s a great guy,  in the eyes of his employer, who rakes in the profits. But he’s miserable, unhappy, and everyday he looks worn-out. I haven’t even seen him smile in months.

Now a man like this is a sure candidate for this affliction. Worst he's contagious and likely to spread this “Karoshi” malaise to his subordinates.   Working with this man is hazardous.  

There is no question that work is essential to sustain life. Scripture tells us that work is ordained by God.

In the process of creation God worked as the prime mover of all creation (Genesis 1:1-15).God worked for six days and rested on the seventh day. The first and the most marvelous work ever done is recorded in Genesis.

The God of creation is a working God. (Genesis 1:31 )

God was pleased by the fruit of His labor, He called it “very good.”(Genesis 1:31). Work  should therefore be viewed as something good,  not a drudgery. Man should find fulfillment in his work, as he applies himself to productive pursuits, and enjoy a period of rest to be recharged, and work again.    

Work in the Biblical context has been considered good and essential activity which would fulfill, satisfy, and sustain man’s life on earth. The imperative of work, however, is balanced by the necessity of finding rest. God ordained rest, as much as work. A day of rest is set aside, for man to cease from his labors so he could pause, worship, and remember to be grateful to his Creator from whom proceeds all good gifts.    

St. Paul aptly taught of the significance of work in Thessalonians 3:10-12:

"If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their own work quietly and to earn their own living."

These are clearly positive declarations which affirm the value and importance of productive labor. Indolence is frowned upon, and its consequence is hunger and want.

The “Karoshi” syndrome is simply taking the value of work to the uttermost extreme. When man starts to worship his work, it becomes an end in itself. Work becomes a curse. When a person could find no meaning and significance in anything else except in his work,  that he would even be willing to practically sacrifice everything for the sake of his work or drop dead of overwork, then work becomes an idol, a false god that is vainly worshipped.    

Image by the diabetesclub.com

ANOTHER CONVERSATION WITH THE DRUNKEN MASTER

ANOTHER CONVERSATION WITH THE DRUNKEN MASTER

It’s been months since I visited the drunken Master in his secret shelter, littered with empty wine bottles. I saw he was sober. He didn’t bother to greet me but maintained the oppressive  silence, between us.

I am amazed that he could remain motionless for hours.

Then he spoke.

Drunken Master: “I suppose you have gotten out of the circle to visit me.”

Me: “In a manner of speaking, yes I just did.”

Drunken Master: “And which circle is that?”

Me: “The time-table”.

Drunken Master: “How do you feel about getting out from this circle.”

Me: “Still hurried and anxious about a lot of things.”

Drunken Master: “Then you still remain, and hadn’t really gotten out.”

Me:  “Maybe.”

Drunken Master: “You live in a complex world, full of human inventions and your life is bound to follow the devices   you created. You  place yourself in a circle to obey  the time table you or one like you had set, and the cycle goes on and on.”  

Me: “Exactly. What do you suggest?”

Drunken Master: “Do not allow the circle of time to make things happen. Take it by the horns and control it where you want to lead it. In this way you make things happen.”

Me:  “Thank you, I didn’t see it the way you do. This is now an occasion to drink from the cup of the wise.”

Drunken Master: “Before you drink from the cup of the wise, let me explain something. Did you know that the Greeks have two words for ‘Time’? One is Chronos represented by a monster who eats his own children. It means measured time, clock time, time that slips away. The other is Kairos, represented by a human face. It is the time we make and the time we take.  Now, since you have asked me for a drink, a request I couldn’t refuse, by all means let’s do it the Kairos way.  Toast!”  

The Captain And The General

Do Not Fear

A story is told of a Captain who in the field of battle ran to his General and exclaimed, “General, Sir, we cannot hope to win, we are overwhelmed! The enemy is far too numerous!”

The Captain was almost crying.

The General in measured tones,  glared at the terrified Captain and said, “Captain, we are not here to count the enemy but conquer them, and conquer them we must. Go back to the front-line and fight!”

This world is frightening world, and in the battlefield of life, sometimes we are gripped with  paralyzing fear.

Abraham Lincoln once, said, that we are not to take counsel of our own fears.

The spirit of fear could weaken our faith. Once fear takes hold of us, we are defeated. Human capacity is inadequate to wrestle with the troubles we face. But time and again God has proven His faithfulness and power to win victories in our struggles if only we could trust Him fully, and rely upon His strength. 

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble, therefore we will not fear (Psalm 46:1-2) declares the Psalmist. In ancient times, God through the prophet Isaiah spoke mightily to His people: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, not will the flame burn you(Isaiah 43:2)

Three analogies are presented here: water, river, and fire.

Passing through the waters speaks of the depth of our troubles. Passing through rivers speaks of the force and turbulence of our troubles. And passing through the fire speaks of the intensity of our trials. The God, Creator of this Universe, and the Giver of life assures His people that though they had to go through the waters, rivers and fire of testing, He will be with  them, and they will not be overwhelmed.

What a comforting thought.