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Saturday, June 17, 2006
im a superhero
Thursday, June 08, 2006
"the story of the jealous brother"
02 June 2006, Friday, 7:30 pm at Ps. Danny's house
CROSSBEARERS: DIVING INTO THE PARABLES OF JESUS
The first parable is the well-known story of "THE LOST SON." Personally, I have heard and read this story for so many times (considering all the revisions and modernization applied to the story). And it really amaze me on how this "most-used" parable of JESUS has created such an impact on me and keep my mind thinking and pondering about that thing that God wanted to teach me.
Obviously, even without hearing the whole story, just stating the title "THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON," we already have something in mind. "Oh, that's all about forgiveness, that story tells us of how much God is willing to accept us even if we turn our back on HIM... etc...etc..." Well, those things are right. This story really shows us how immeasurably great is the love of God for man. God's unconditional love is manifested when the Father ran to his child and welcome his son with open arms. WONDERFUL!
But as we look to the other side of the story, there's this one character that strikes me most - the older brother. He was furious when he heard that his father welcome his younger brother back - and worst, his father even throw a big party for him. So he ran over to his father and he poured out all his grudges towards the unfairness he felt. "You gave him the best party ever inspite of what he has done, but me, I have been serving you all the days of my life and you didn't bother to give me even a small gathering for my friends," this was the older brother's sentiments. And it made me think... "Yah, that's really unfair, why does the father doesn't give him a party?" I feel sad for the older brother, "he's been working so hard serving the father. He's trying his best to be a good son cause he knows that his younger brother broke his father's heart. Yah, things must have been really unfair for him..."
Then it strikes me, "Hey! Eloisa... why are you feeling like that? Why do you sympathize so much with that character..." And it dawned on me... I am defending the older brother because I see myself in him. There are times, I keep on reaching out to God, but I cannot find HIM. I keep on desiring things, but it seems that God cannot hear me... And during those times, I can't help but to see what's lacking in me and what other people has got... and then, it will just be so unfair... just like what the older brother feels.
With that in my mind, GOD HAS ANSWERED BACK TO ME.... Just like what the father has said to his older son "YOU HAVE BEEN WITH ME ALL THE TIME. WHATEVER I HAVE, YOU ALSO HAVE..." BOOM! Its like a meteor from the sky had fallen to my head. I just cant breathe upon this realization. It’s like someone is holding my heart and squeezing it so hard. ITS LIKE GOD IS SAYING “Hey! If you feel unfair, you should at least somehow consider how I feel. It’s like all of you people serve Me just because you wanted something from Me. AM I NOT ENOUGH?”
After that piece of thought, Ps. Danny asked us “What is more important, the gifts of God or the presence of God?”
God is slapping the truth in my face. Intense thoughts come to my mind. Putting myself into God’s shoes, I began to understand. Yah, if my family and friends would just love me because they’re benefiting something from me, I would also feel sad about it. Or maybe angry, specially if that time comes that they will accuse me of being unfair just because I can’t give them anymore those things that I used to give before. Woooohh! That might give me the Oscars Best Actress Award using the dialogue “Can’t you just love me for what I am?”
After this realization, I have made my own version of that confrontation scene. Well, I’m not twisting what’s in the Bible. I just wanted to share what God is teaching me through this story….
OLDER BROTHER: You gave him the best party ever inspite of what he has done. But me, I have been serving you all the days of my life and you didn’t bother to give me even a small gathering for my friends?
FATHER: Hey! Is that the reason why you stayed with me all these years? Because you want a party? Well, you should have said so… so I can save you from all the pretensions you have made by playing as a good son of mine. All your life you had been with me. I have took care of you all these years. You have been generously enjoying everything that I own. And now, you’re angry just because I throw your brother a party. I tell you, If I am not enough to you… all this things that I have won’t also be enough.
Huh! Thank God He is God and He doesn’t think like us humans. That eventhough we have no right to complain, He doesn’t react the same as the father in my own version of story. He’s still there to understand….Haiiiii…. THANK GOD!
Well, now I know, I may not receive “big parties” from GOD – but knowing that I have always been under God’s care – and I have been enjoying the privilege of having a FATHER with me all the time – THAT’S ENOUGH.
CROSSBEARERS: DIVING INTO THE PARABLES OF JESUS
The first parable is the well-known story of "THE LOST SON." Personally, I have heard and read this story for so many times (considering all the revisions and modernization applied to the story). And it really amaze me on how this "most-used" parable of JESUS has created such an impact on me and keep my mind thinking and pondering about that thing that God wanted to teach me.
Obviously, even without hearing the whole story, just stating the title "THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON," we already have something in mind. "Oh, that's all about forgiveness, that story tells us of how much God is willing to accept us even if we turn our back on HIM... etc...etc..." Well, those things are right. This story really shows us how immeasurably great is the love of God for man. God's unconditional love is manifested when the Father ran to his child and welcome his son with open arms. WONDERFUL!
But as we look to the other side of the story, there's this one character that strikes me most - the older brother. He was furious when he heard that his father welcome his younger brother back - and worst, his father even throw a big party for him. So he ran over to his father and he poured out all his grudges towards the unfairness he felt. "You gave him the best party ever inspite of what he has done, but me, I have been serving you all the days of my life and you didn't bother to give me even a small gathering for my friends," this was the older brother's sentiments. And it made me think... "Yah, that's really unfair, why does the father doesn't give him a party?" I feel sad for the older brother, "he's been working so hard serving the father. He's trying his best to be a good son cause he knows that his younger brother broke his father's heart. Yah, things must have been really unfair for him..."
Then it strikes me, "Hey! Eloisa... why are you feeling like that? Why do you sympathize so much with that character..." And it dawned on me... I am defending the older brother because I see myself in him. There are times, I keep on reaching out to God, but I cannot find HIM. I keep on desiring things, but it seems that God cannot hear me... And during those times, I can't help but to see what's lacking in me and what other people has got... and then, it will just be so unfair... just like what the older brother feels.
With that in my mind, GOD HAS ANSWERED BACK TO ME.... Just like what the father has said to his older son "YOU HAVE BEEN WITH ME ALL THE TIME. WHATEVER I HAVE, YOU ALSO HAVE..." BOOM! Its like a meteor from the sky had fallen to my head. I just cant breathe upon this realization. It’s like someone is holding my heart and squeezing it so hard. ITS LIKE GOD IS SAYING “Hey! If you feel unfair, you should at least somehow consider how I feel. It’s like all of you people serve Me just because you wanted something from Me. AM I NOT ENOUGH?”
After that piece of thought, Ps. Danny asked us “What is more important, the gifts of God or the presence of God?”
God is slapping the truth in my face. Intense thoughts come to my mind. Putting myself into God’s shoes, I began to understand. Yah, if my family and friends would just love me because they’re benefiting something from me, I would also feel sad about it. Or maybe angry, specially if that time comes that they will accuse me of being unfair just because I can’t give them anymore those things that I used to give before. Woooohh! That might give me the Oscars Best Actress Award using the dialogue “Can’t you just love me for what I am?”
After this realization, I have made my own version of that confrontation scene. Well, I’m not twisting what’s in the Bible. I just wanted to share what God is teaching me through this story….
OLDER BROTHER: You gave him the best party ever inspite of what he has done. But me, I have been serving you all the days of my life and you didn’t bother to give me even a small gathering for my friends?
FATHER: Hey! Is that the reason why you stayed with me all these years? Because you want a party? Well, you should have said so… so I can save you from all the pretensions you have made by playing as a good son of mine. All your life you had been with me. I have took care of you all these years. You have been generously enjoying everything that I own. And now, you’re angry just because I throw your brother a party. I tell you, If I am not enough to you… all this things that I have won’t also be enough.
Huh! Thank God He is God and He doesn’t think like us humans. That eventhough we have no right to complain, He doesn’t react the same as the father in my own version of story. He’s still there to understand….Haiiiii…. THANK GOD!
Well, now I know, I may not receive “big parties” from GOD – but knowing that I have always been under God’s care – and I have been enjoying the privilege of having a FATHER with me all the time – THAT’S ENOUGH.
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