Lately, apart from constant challenges from work, I experienced a foretaste of what it was like to be a target for bad publicity. It was a mixture of fear, anger, injustice and a great burning desire to set things right. However, people in general give more credit to “an apparent” victim, rather than question about the real truth that lies behind.
In fact, I have to some extent lost faith in our local media and reporters. I know that this may not apply to every reporter, but sometimes, reporters are only reporting selective facts that a certain party would like the public to know. Never mind about accuracy and the other side of the story. Forget about verification of facts. The important thing is to get the story on the headlines and the nine o’clock news. Little considerations are given on the repercussions involved.
I suppose such are the news that would sell. Now that I have the sacred opportunity to be standing on the other side of the balance, I realised that readers and viewers have both been fooled. It was also at this time that I caught a glimpse of how Jesus must have felt when his own people turned against him and misunderstood him. It was an awful lingering feeling that made blue sky seemed dull. It behaved like a shadow that followed me wherever I go, except that this shadow was constantly throwing false accusations at me!
Suddenly, I realised how wrong I had been, when I too was hurling stones at our politicians and leaders, whenever they were “caught” doing something questionable. It was definitely easy for me to criticize, to judge and to form a seemingly right opinion. My dear brother recently reminded me with this timely advice “Be part of the solution in our society and our country! Don’t criticize our leaders but pray for them! We don’t know the full picture of what went on in their lives, but regardless, they need our prayers! Its easy to just stand there and judge but it would take someone with a bigger heart to pray.”
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior”1 Timothy 2:1-3
Hi Fee,
ReplyDeleteBack so soon! By the way, it is Anthony not Andrew.
Life not easy, aah. Living a Christ-like life is even more difficult for us all, although Jesus could say that His yolk was light. There is still a lot we need to learn in life, both in our frame of mind, and heart-condition, apart from the actions that come forth. It is a journey, let no one forgets.
When Jesus said it is finished, He was referring to Himself having finished doing the things that He was supposed to do for the Father, not the slightest hint that the moment we accept Christ as Lord and Savior, we are perfected instantly for life. In our life, we stumble and fall, we disobey Him, we hurt fellow men, we are far, far, from being perfect, yet God still grant his favor, his grace to us, and so, likewise, we are to grant favor, and extend grace to fellow men. Of course, we get hurt, God, too, is hurt when we do not represent correctly his truths and his ways, and most importantly who He Is, and who He is in our life.
But what do we do, when we are really hurt by the accusations and conduct of others? Turn to healthy outlets, like talk with your spouse, a loved one, or a friend (exercising wisdom, of course), and more importantly, to God, because He can heal. You can graduate to going to God only, but I am still weak, I still crave for a human ear to listen me out, sometimes. We must be careful not to take the color of the ground we lie, in your context, do not emulate the way of the bad press.
In recent days, I observe of people asking question of whether there is any basis for praying, like praying for unbelievers to enter into salvation, the motive of which, I understand is to legalistically classify matters into (human) works, or that which God's love would move us to do. I say, praying is basic weaponary for any believer's life. If you do not engage in it, you are a sitting duck. Furthermore, prayer is a way of telling God we care for the things He cares about. Engaging in prayer is being part of the solutions of God for the affairs of men. 1 Timothy 2:1-3 is spot on.
May God bless your every effort to be after His heart,
Anthony Chia