Month: September 2015

We appreciate your patience —– Journal of reflection 9/25/2015

Last week, I stopped by my local bank during lunch time to set up an internet banking service that I used to have. My old set-up was lost due to a recent computer server’s upgrade in the bank. I was not in good mood when I went to the bank because they didn’t even bother to tell me the fact that my old set-up was wiped out by the upgrade.

Upon my arrival, I found out that I had to register at front desk of the bank before I could get helped. Apparently, mishaps caused by the computer upgrade are prevalent as there were several people ahead of me waiting there already. I had to patiently wait for my turn because fewer clerks were available during lunch time. As I was waiting, I saw a message “We appreciate your patience and we commit to serve you to your satisfaction” showed up on the computer screens constantly, around the area. Ha..ha..ha. Isn’t this hilarious?

Though I am not against using modern technology to improve our life, but this experience reminds me of how vulnerable we are in relying on modern computer technology under the push toward “smarter world” – how often would we suffer from inconveniences, headaches and chaos because of computer glitches or hick-up’s? Of course, you could argue that no technology is perfect and I should not be this critical. Yes, there is no perfect technology that would fulfill the promises of 100% satisfaction. Therefore the message of “We appreciate your patience and we commit to serve you to your satisfaction” becomes painfully important to businesses and to customers.

Now let me post a question: In our journey of faith, do we commit to serve our Lord to His satisfaction? Can we tell our Lord that I appreciate your patience? I think it is very important for Christians to set a goal like that because we are followers of our Lord and He had paid a hefty price on the Cross for us. This is exactly the mentality of Ruth B. Graham, Billy Graham’s wife, had. When she went to be with the Lord in 2007, she has her tombstone engraved, “End of construction, Thank you for your patience”. She had this insightful understanding of what a Christian’s life should be in this world – it is to be molded like our Lord. This is what apostle Paul urged us in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 不要效法這個世界,只要心意更新而RuthGraham_Tombstone變化,叫你們察驗何為神的善良、純全、可喜悅的旨意。”

We should be clear that God’s will is for us to be holy because He is holy. We may feel that we are still far from it. But, all we need is a commitment to put ourselves under God’s construction, instead of worldly construction. Then I believe God would wait patiently for our transformation until we meet with Him face to face. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, “Can you commit to serve the Lord to His satisfaction?” I hope your answer is “yes!”