Friday, July 7, 2023

Gratitude in Redeeming One's Life

 
Gratitude in Redeeming One's Life


In the pursuit of redeeming one's life and achieving progress on a meaningful journey, there is a profound truth that cannot be overlooked - the significance of gratitude. Gratitude stands resolute as an essential aspect when forging a connection with the divine forces that shape our existence. It serves as a beacon of light, illuminating the path to personal growth and fulfillment. It takes effort to embrace gratitude, but with the guidance of a higher power, it becomes an invaluable tool for reclaiming time and preserving life's essence.

The act of being thankful goes beyond polite acknowledgment; it is a mindset of humility, contentment, and mindfulness toward life's blessings. By focusing on the present moment and appreciating the blessings it holds, gratitude opens doors for transformative experiences. Instead of dwelling on regrets from the past or worries about the future, we can appreciate what we have now.


The journey of redeeming one's life is not without challenges, and it is in these moments that the power of gratitude truly shines. Embracing gratitude during difficult times cultivates resilience and fortitude, offering solace and a sense of purpose during moments of uncertainty. This is where the guidance of a higher power becomes essential. Surrendering to the divine presence provides the strength and assurance that we are not alone in our struggles and that every step, no matter how challenging, has a purpose.


Moreover, gratitude possesses an innate ability to expand our capacity for happiness. By acknowledging the smallest blessings in life, we become more attuned to the abundance that surrounds us. This shift in perspective fosters contentment and diminishes the allure of constant striving for external achievements. True progress lies not in accumulating material possessions, but in cherishing the richness of life's experiences and connections.


In the pursuit of redeeming one's life, the starting point for progress is being thankful for the opportunities that lie ahead. It is through this expression of gratitude that doors open to personal growth, self-awareness, and spiritual enlightenment. Each step taken with a grateful heart propels us further along the path of redemption, empowering us to overcome obstacles and embrace life's challenges with newfound courage.


God is Closer to us than Death

 


God is Closer to us Than Death


This phrase, “God is closer to us than death,” stroke me when I was sitting in the Fettes Park Baptist Church listening to the lawyer Ching Soon talking about how God is near us when we face Death. I know so well that I experienced the "Death is so near me" a few times; (1) Sunami on Dec 26, 2014, (2) a big tree falling down on my driver’s seat on Apr 9, 2015 (3) While I was driving on the speedy high towards the Queens Bay, my seat lost it position slides backward... on Dec 19, 2022. All these experiences were life threatened. What “if it had been the Lord who was on my side” (Ps124:1) with me. I would not have been here and shared my experiences in the intimate life with our Lord, PTL! 

The phrase is such a poetic and metaphorical statement that conveys
the idea of God's presence or connection to humanity, and that is
extremely intimate and profound, even in the face of mortality.
It suggests that God's presence and influence in our lives transcend
the boundaries of physical existence and extend to the realm of the
spiritual or eternal.

One possible example to illustrate this concept is a person experiencing a deep sense of spiritual connection and comfort during a near-death experience. In such a situation, individuals often report the feeling of being enveloped by a divine presence or experiencing a sense of peace and transcendence that surpasses the fear and uncertainty associated with death. This example implies even in the face of mortality, God's presence can be felt more acutely, providing solace and reassurance.