Last weekend, we had a farewell gathering for our host church’s pastor family – they are moving away from us to oversee a new ministry.  After the dinner, the pastor shared with us their journey which he believes is under God’s leading and providence. We were encouraged by his sharing and witnessing. It is with mixed feeling that we have to farewell his family as we have been co-working together very well in God’s ministries for the past 3+ years.
This reminds me of an old adage, “All good things must come to an end in this world 天下沒有不散的筵席”. It seems to be in line with this experience. Certainly, we are not sad because we are sure to meet each other, one way or another – either in this world at a distant future or when we see our Lord face to face in heaven. After the gathering, a question comes to my mind is: At each step of our life journey, are we always clear that who is leading us? Oftentimes, we are called by our own duties and responsibilities – family, children, work, our personal ambitions or aspirations, etc. – to march forward. However, how many times we are clear that our direction is led by God?
A week ago in early Monday morning, I received a news from my working company regarding a decision of relinquishing her chip fabrication plant. This news basically confirms a long standing rumor that has been swiveling around for quite some time. In light of this news, fears of job loss and financial stress overshadow many families and local businesses. I am sure an immediate question would be asked is “Should we stay or should we leave?” In other words, “What is God’s will for our direction?”
In chapter 42 of the book of Jeremiah, when the remnant of Judah were afraid of the coming attack from king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, they asked prophet Jeremiah to pray to “the LORD your God” for an instruction – pray that the LORD your God will tell them where they should go and what they should do. They agreed that whether it is favorable or unfavorable, they will obey “the LORD our God”. However, as we continue to read the following chapters, we could find that the truth about Israelites’ seeking of God’s instruction is, in fact, to seek God’s rubberstamping of their plan in heading down Egypt. That means instead of obeying God’s instruction, they picked their own way. The end result is God took away them through the use of Nebuchadnezzar’s attack against Egypt. What a tragic end of rebellion!
In view of this incident, I am sure there exist lessons that we can learn. The first one is: we should differentiate real fear from imagined fear. The second is: God knows the best for us – His way is always higher than our own way. Lastly, rebellious attitude can result in destruction. Israelites’ fear of Nebuchadnezzar’s attack is rooted from their little faith in God, even after God told them that He will deliver them from the attack. That means their fear is exaggerated because of their distrust in God. They turned to their own way by fleeing from Jerusalem to Egypt. This eventually leads them into destruction and captivity. So, sometimes the fear we imagined could lead us astray. Therefore, faith in God is the number one priority in our seeking of God’s will – we have to believe that He is all powerful and He is merciful and gracious. Trust in Him “completely” can lead us to understand His direction that is preparing for us.
My dear brothers and sisters, are you still wondering which way you should be taking? It is God’s way because He promised us: “in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
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Disclaimer: The sharing is pure from my personal view; therefore, please don’t take it to be absolute. Thanks.