Dear…
O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
Psalm 106:1
Stagflation, the latest catchword of present times, yet a malaise only those of a good vintage like myself might recollect albeit briefly, for we were gangling teens when it happened in the late 70s/early 80s. Most I suspect will remember better the late US President Ronald Reagan Strategic Defence Initiative(SDI) coined the Star Wars concept of defence against the Russian bear, given that Star Wars the movies was the trend of our generation then.
Stagflation, a time of limpid economic growth cum rapidly rising cost of living. A double whammy which was only brought to heel by the late US Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker, hammering it down with a double digit increase in interest rates. Some might recall US rates were in their 20s, while Singapore was in her low teens. Not forgetting Aussie and Kiwi interest rates were in the high 20s and the once mighty British pound devalued.
Seems like almost a strange world that most never imagined possible. Welcome to that possibility in the foreseeable future. And since this sharing was penned back in July 2022 and left in abeyance while I wait upon our Lord, PM Truss has thrust the once sick man of Europe, Pax Brittanica into the forefront again of the troubles to come. A world where risk is no longer one of financial institutions, but of countries.
For man also does not know his time. Like fish taken in a cruel net. Like birds caught in a snare.
So the sons of men are snared in an evil time. When it falls suddenly upon them.
Ecclesiastes 9:12
What about stagnation? Stagnant waters most in Singapore are getting to be more familiar with, for stagnant waters lead to the breeding of the dreaded Aedes mosquito which has this year, set an impressive rise in the number of people infected with dengue fever by its bite.
Dengue from recent experience is not the most pleasant stranger to form an acquaintance with. The manifestations are very uncomfortable and potential life threatening.
Is there a parallel to be drawn with regards to the state of one’s spiritual growth?
Is your spiritual life vibrant just like clear moving water or stagnant, as still as an inviting pool of water that beckons the Aedes mosquito to come breed its army of denizens to be sent out to infect us poor souls?
A life lived with knowing about Christ but not following nor being willing to be disciplined by the indwelling Holy Spirit is an open invitation to the devil to come breed in us. God wants to shake us out of our self induced stupor, before we wander off too far, and be left wondering, why did we not fully grasp the loving Hands of the Lord our God, when we had the opportunity??
The Word once more indicate the removing of what can be shaken, that is, created things, so that what cannot be shaken may remain(Hebrews 12:27)
An afternote : Adrift
And they said, That is hopeless! So we will walk according to our own plans, and we will everyone obey the dictate of his evil heart.
Jeremiahs 18:12
Our good Lord just impressed upon my heart, success is not measured by worldly standards, but by one’s obedience to His leading. As I crossed 61, there are moments when I ponder, could I have done better in life, both in the ways of the world, and more importantly, in my endeavours to point and bring people to the Lord our God?
Much as I have had the privilege of pointing many to Christ, there was never closure if one defines closure as praying the sinners pray with the once non believer to mark his or her crossing into the Kingdom of God
I have been blessed to journey with many believers, to encourage and be encouraged. Yet, it seems not all stay determined in their focus on the Lord our God, and some do drop off by the wayside. Have I failed in my shepherding, and worse, by my imperfection was I responsible for leading them away from the Lord our God?
Have I in recent years, lost the vigour and fervency that marked my journey with our Lord since His Spirit fell upon me back in Bangkok when I was 40? Have I gone adrift like a boat without its sail? Will many of us find ourselves increasingly directionless in a world that will become extremely difficult and unpredictable for the worse.
As for me, I have not hurried away from being a shepherd who follows You…’
Jeremiah 17:16
God looks for our obedience, He is responsible for the conclusion.
Unburdening oneself from setting KPI(as in the ways of the world) does not mean one becomes irresponsible or irrelevant. But rather, a recognition that God is Sovereign, and our focus should be on what we can and should do - to seek Him with our all and to love our neighbours as much as ourselves. This in itself is not easy, for God knows we are imperfect, and through trials and seemingly failures, He refines us, and transforms us to truly be totally dependent upon Him and not our own understanding. To spit out the forbidden fruit that Adam and Eve partook in resulting in all our present griefs.
The Lord will perfect that which concerns me. Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever.
Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Psalm 138:8
Happy are the people who are in such a state. Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!
Psalm 144:15
坚持下去。靠着主耶稣，我们就做得到
