About two weeks ago, I spent one afternoon to install a new toilet to one of my bathrooms. The old one has developed an annoying leak, after decades of usage. I had it fixed twice but it didn’t last long. Finally, I decided to replace it by myself with a new one.

As you know, replacing a toilet is a smelly job but unfortunately, someone has to do it 🙁 Besides, the heavyweight toilet could be a problem to my back – because, I need to hold it steady in the air and align it correctly with the two dangling bolts on the flange of the drainpipe at floor. The tricky part is you have to do it right at the very first time. Any subsequent take-it-up and re-alignment work would otherwise destroy the wax ring that is supposed to seal the toilet to the drainpipe.

In light of this, my wife asked my son to give me a hand. You can guess how willing he is – it took a while for him to come down to the bathroom. 🙂 Then, he asked me what he could do to help. Due to the limited space in the bathroom, I didn’t ask him to do much but help me to watch the alignment and give me tools when I need it. After a brief stay, feeling he is not of use, he quickly lost his interest and disappeared. I continued to finish the installation work.

The interaction between my son and myself makes me think. I realize that my own spiritual walk with our Heavenly Father is sometimes, just like my son: not knowing His heart intimately, reluctant and not persistent in His ministry. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate my son’s help. However, this leads me to ask myself two questions.

The first question is, “Does God really need my help?” I’m sure the answer is “Certainly not!” He is omnipotent and He can do everything without my help, as He is the creator of this universe. Then, why He needs me in His ministry? There is a question in the Old Assembly’s Catechism, “What is the chief end of man?” could give us a hint. Its answer is, “To glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.” God created us and He gives us opportunities to serve in His ministry and to enjoy Him forever. Our responsibility, as His children, is to listen to His calling, learn His will and carry it out persistently in order to glorify Him.

The second question is, “Do I serve Him out of love or because of someone’s demand or order?”  I need to examine myself how often I serve God out of guilt instead of out of love. In other words, “Do I serve Him passionately or grudgingly?”  Admittedly, this is where I fall short most of the times.  I could understand my son’s reluctance in some extent because it would take his time off to help me and besides, this is not an enjoyable job. If he were not my son, he may not even show up. This is a good reminder to me.

My dear brothers and sisters, the author of the book of Hebrews told us that “In the past God spoke to us through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son神既在古時藉著眾先知，多次多方的曉諭列祖，就在這末世，藉著他兒子曉諭我們(Hebrews 1:1-2a) ”. Let me ask you, if I may. “When God speaks to us through His son, do we listen to Him attentively? Do we react grudgingly or passionately?” Hope your answer is, “Yes, I listen to Him attentively and I respond to Him passionately.” 🙂