Growing up. We all have to face it some time in our life. Even if we try to hide from it, it'll creep back into our life. But what is it exactly? Why is reality so persistent? Maybe because we know we have a calling. Our mind and reality can be a canyon apart. I think it's that. Because our own ideology becomes an indulgent. We love the comfort, especially the comfort, so why leave it? But if we took that step to educate ourselves about the injustices in this world, then change would be that much closer. Actually, I feel guilty for not involving myself more in fighting against the injustices of the world.
Recently, I attended a workshop at Rutgers Community Christian Church called "Justice & compassion." After a very well-informed presentation, it was as easy as my home address and my signature on a letter that would be sent to the government to plead for more effort to end modern-day slavery (Visit www.IJM.org if you want to learn more). Fortunately, a difference can be made right here and right now. However, I always trip myself into thinking that I have to do that much more, to intervene with my hand swinging all the way down, as if time is not of the concern but the gravity of my work is. We live in a world of immediacy, and as much as I want instant results, I know I can't grab the world and pull inward. Instead, my prayer everyday is that my heart would expand so that I can give freely and willingly, little by little, and more of me each day. Even if it doesn't deal directly with modern-day slavery, listening to the good, which I've concluded to override evil, in me every day is the best way I can live my life. Good, what good? I'll catch myself multiple times on the brink of disobedience but I'll crunch down and respond the respectful way. Good is the better choice. It's the right way. It'll bring the most contribution, light up the better half of someone, and ultimately bridge the gap between what is real and what is ideal.
So while growing up is quite scary at first and difficult to handle, it's also a measurement of how much more we are capable of having well-rounded intentionality because we are able to retain what we've learned from and about this world in order that we might make it a better place.
"The time has come, the kingdom of God is near." - Mark 1:15
When we think that heaven is a place after earth, know that God's kingdom has already come.
