Tuesday, January 10, 2017

The Joy In The Lord

I had this conversation with a fellow missionary and we were sharing about how we’ve survived this far. (Actually in reality we are not just surviving, we are in fact thriving in the joy of the Lord.) That I can say for sure! Why? How can we be happy in the midst difficulties? Difficulties are everywhere; the important thing is we find what kind of life we want to live.

I think missionaries are happy because they found what they wanted. I think, other people who are also working in other ways can be happy too if they find there work as the path God wants them to be.

Another thing, what I found in mission is that we can be in desolation ourselves but can still be joyful because we find our consolation in the joy of others. We rejoice of others joy and that is enough consolation for us.

Lastly, our joys are grounded in our faith in Christ, so things can be fleeting but we can be joyful because His is eternal.

by aats

Monday, January 9, 2017

Sin of Omission


I’ve heard before someone shared to me about sin of omission, that it is a sin of failing to do good. It can be as simple as failing to help an old person crossing the street to failing to voice or stop a bad thing happening before your own eyes. However, last month I realized it’s not just about failing to do good; sin of omission is also about failing to appreciate the good. When we fail to appreciate even the little good things that we actually have, such as the air that we breathe and the simple fact that we can walk or talk.

This has become more apparent to me when I got sick, “very sick” a month ago. A month before that I was already going to numerous doctor appointments. It got worst instead and by December I was full blown sick. And this was Christmas season, worst time of the year to get sick. I could barely move because I was always in pain. I was in bed most of the time. Every little movement was painful. It was hard for me to even walk and sit.

The situation made me look back on the things I used to do with ease and now I couldn’t, simple things as sitting comfortably, walking without pain, and eating well. Being deprived of it made me fully grasped what a beautiful thing to sit well, walk well and eat well and I only realized it when it was taken away from me. I failed to appreciate all the good things God has given me.

This is a reminder for more sensitivity to the little things but actually very essential to quality of life.

It also slaps me with the truth that has always been there, “I am nothing without God!” Oh how simple this truth is but seldom acknowledged and appreciated!

How many times we fail to appreciate the things that are always there for us?


Lord God, sorry for failing to appreciate the good and grant us the grace to see blessings in everything. Amen.

by aats