Monday, March 01, 2010

Do Not Be Terrified

Of what?

There was a time when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.

And this is what God told them, "Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease."

But the people were very reluctant to do so. They longed for their home. They were also hopeful that the exile was going to be quick and temporal. Even some of their prophets speculated that the exile was only for a short while.

So God said, "Do not let the prophets and diviners among you deceive you. Do not listen to the dreams you encourage them to have. They are prophesying lies to you in my name. I have not sent them. When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place."

Did you read that properly? God said the exile is going to be SEVENTY YEARS- not so quick and temporal at all. In 70 years, I'll be either 94 going to 95, or I'll be dead.

1. I am not undergoing exile. I am home.
2. but I am still unsure if I will adapt well in the long-term.
3. if God wants me to settle down here, i think i am okay.
4. i mean, i am okay and am prepared to stay here for two years.
5. i am kinda hoping that if i still cant adapt by two years, i'll still be able to go to sgp or something.
6. at the moment, the thought of not being able to adapt and having had to stay here for the next 70 years is definitely not okay.
7. let's not talk about 70 years. today, i just realised that the thought of not being able to adapt and having had to stay here for three years ( ie. one extra year instead of two) is somewhat discomforting.
8. a dear sister reminded me that everything happens in seasons. my season in singapore was 16 years, my season in canada was 4 months, our seasons on earth is on average about 80 years. so being in jkt with my family is only for a season- one day i might get married and not stay with the family, or something- and this season could be short, or it could be long, but i must treasure this time well, because it is only for a season.

i wish i can trust God with all my heart, my mind and my soul- that i can say with all of me that it is okay if God wants this particular season of mine to be 70 years, or three, or two.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

hey lince,

you'll be alright:)

chris

lince said...

huGs chrissy... i think so too! =)

Anonymous said...

Hi Lince,

Likewise, I am forced to stay in somewhere beyond my comfort zone because of certain circumstances...

On pt 8 it is vert comforting...and the only soultion perhaps is someone will bring me away from where I am.

If God brings me in, He has a purpose for me, He will bring me out. I am counting down to the day, waiting on Him.

lince said...

hey anonymous, sorry just saw your comment...

let us jiayou =)