Knowing better…

Had a haircut yesterday. And got someone who was willing to chat…

This is a part of the conversations that we had:

Me: So, did you learn hairdressing here or in Korea?
S (initial of her first name): Korea. I used to work in (…)
M: Sorry? (she was drying my hair and I couldn’t hear her properly)
S: Yeah, I used to work (…) and (…)
[I could heard it second time, but names weren't familiar]
M: Sorry, I don’t know those places…
S: OMG! You don’t know (…)?! It costs more than $100 to get a haircut there!!
[sorry for the phrase, but that's what she said to express her unbelief at my ignorance!]

I felt really bad… so I told her that I don’t know much about beauty places…

Anyway, she couldn’t believe that I didn’t know those places. =) I guess, I’m lucky she did my haircut for much less than $100 (not even half of it) then? =)

This morning though, even though the haircut was really good, I realised that she didn’t actually give me the haircut that I wanted (!) – one that I asked from her…

Was that because she thought she knew that this is a better haircut and wanted to do me a favour? Or was it because she wanted to show me how good she is (even before our conversation)?

I know it wasn’t the unclear instruction as I told her clearly what I didn’t want her to do with my hair… =)

Whatever the reason, I couldn’t help but think of Saul in 1 Samuel 13… and how much we can be like Saul in our attitude and response to what God asks of us…

See, Saul knew that he was not supposed to offer the sacrifice in Samuel’s place. It wasn’t as if he didn’t know. He knew, but he thought he knew better… Maybe he thought he was a king already – so full of himself – that he forgot that God was the one who made him King…

It’s good that I don’t mind this haircut though this is not what I asked for… Besides, there is not much harm in not listening to me – other than losing me as a customer, maybe – but unlikely in this case…

But offending God has MUCH greater consequences! God took the kingdom away from Saul!

Made me thinking…

Is there a time when I thought I know better than God? And do something that He doesn’t ask me but something that I thought would be good for Him?

Is there a time when I am so proud in my achievements or possessions (whatever it is) or when I am so sure of myself that I think I would “do God a favour” by doing “something extra” for Him?

Is there a time when I think my judgement is better than Him?

Psalm 40: 6-8

6Sacrifice and offering you have not desired,
but you have given me an open ear.
Burnt offering and sin offering
you have not required.
7Then I said, “Behold, I have come;
in the scroll of the book it is written of me:
8I desire to do your will, O my God;
your law is within my heart.”

Different Endings

Watched The Departed a few weeks ago. Thought it was a pretty good movie. However, because Infernal Affairs was such a great movie – well… it’s hard to be overwhelmed by TD. Besides, TL and AL acting in IA were just… brilliant! Not saying Leo and Matt and Jack and everyone else weren’t that great… but really, Tony and Andy – MUCH better! And the morse code – that was a lot better than mobile phones! Definitely!!!

Anyway, one thing that struck me after watching the movie – and something that I made a comment of straight after the movie ended (to my sis) was the ending of TD.

Yes, it has a very different ending to IA.

And I thought that was interesting and worth noting. (spoiler warning)

In IA, the character played by Tony died, while the characted played by Andy continued to live on as a policeman. In TD – the character played by Matt (same character as one played by Andy) ended up dead(!) – I’ll save the bit of how he died for you, in case you haven’t watched it but plan to watch it on dvd =)

Anyway, to me, that showed that even though they have long departed from Christian values – the West, and so Hollywood, to a certain extent, are still very much affected by the idea that truth/good needs to win at the end.

The East is more comfortable with a blurring line of good and evil. The West still prefers a clearer line. Of course, with us moving away from Christian values and going back towards “New Age” (although to me, that’s just “Old Age” using new names – but hey, that’s what the Devil is good at doing – tricking people into believing his lies) – we have more and more the blurring of lines between good and evil.

But anyway… just thought that was an interesting thing to note… Even the endings of very similar movies (they are quite different in details – but plan to rewatch IA) – can be so different…

The Power Behind Prayer

Have you ever met or known someone who believes in the power of prayers? Like, we need to pray, because if we pray all the more then somehow something magical would happen. Well, don’t get me wrong. I am all for people praying to God. The True God of the Bible, though – not just any God!

I think the danger with talking about the power of prayer is that people can forget that prayers are only powerful and miraculous because the God who answers them is a very powerful God. Because in prayer, we are bringing things before Him, and that’s why, even though I pray and ask God for things, I am never comfortable with the idea of “claiming things from God through prayer” or “as long as we ask, we can be sure that He will answer (as we ask), because prayer is powerful”.

But I mean, God is the One who is powerful. And prayer exist within the context of our relationship with Him. And if you know this God, of course you will ask things of Him, but claim things? Do you think you know better than God???!!

I think, the more I know God, the more I pray to Him, the more I know that prayer is really an expression of the relationship I have with Him… It’s an expression of my dependence, of His loving sovereignty, and yeah, you don’t claim things. And even if your prayers are answered, it really is only out of God’s goodness to you – not because you pray. Sure, because you pray as well, cos that’s what the Bible also says – you don’t have because you don’t ask, so ask. But we can’t boast because even our prayers are part of God’s work within us of bringing about His purposes. Even asking for what He already promises – they need to be done in the context of who He is and who we are. That is, He is God (and according to my Bible reading today, He is the LORD, who made heaven and earth) and who can wipe you out with not much effort at all(!) and that we are – fallen creatures. Sure, saved in Christ – but out of His mercy alone. Don’t forget that the Bible does tell us God loves us, but also tells us to fear Him!

Anyway, meant to be a short post to highlight this fact:

Read this article on cms website yesterday.

And saw this article on sydneyanglicans website just now.

It’s good for a great story to be retold and repeated. =)

But ended up to be another long post… =)

Taking a sick leave (again!)

An email I sent to my boss just now:

Hi (…),

I won’t be going to work today. Sorry. Just came back from the physio. She told me that my achilles tendon is inflamed and I need to give it a rest and to compress it with ice-pack.

But God willing, I should be going to work tomorrow – or should I say limping to work tomorrow (if it is still bad). =) I said God willing because after being forced to take sick leaves several times in the past two or so months – today included, I have learnt that many things are outside my control, including health and plans for the day (Yesterday, I made a plan for today – to finish filing the maps – and see where I am today!)

But yeah, hopefully I can go to work tomorrow since it is (….) birthday tomorrow. =)

Hope things aren’t too busy for the rest of you who are in the office.

L

The physio actually told me several other things, too, like make sure I take smaller steps and give myself plenty of time to walk to and from places. If you know me, you know how much of a fast walker I am. And how frustrated I am by people who walk too slow(!) – so this is quite something for me. Having to shuffle myself around – not just limping – is really a good training for my patience (though if you joke about it with me in person, I might not appreciate it – just giving you a warning =P)

Anyway, she also gave me something to raise my heel a bit so as not to give too much pressure there – which is not as bad as the other one.

I have to see her again on Sat and that would cost me quite a bit. =(

Yeah, it has not been easy to be down with different things one after the other – but several things I have learnt – or rather, several things God has kindly taught me over these whole things:

1. I am NOT in control over things! Including when I want to be well, what I want to do at any given time or even how I want to spend my money (I do have to pay for the physio as I’m not with any health fund)

2. It’s trained me to be flexible. God is in control, but I am not and so, I need to adjust my plans, my expectations etc – depending on what God has given me as my lot for the day.

3. Sickness reminds me that I am not that strong and I am dependent on God, but also that compared to many other people, I have much to be thankful to God for! And to pray for those who are going through a lot worse things in their lives and pray that they will be given strength to cope with their lot in life.

4. And I have learnt to take not just one day at a time, but just to be prepared for the unexpected and to not get too crossed when things don’t go as I want it or as I expected… After all, God is still in control of things. And this God is not only always good, He also loves me.