::::: Lesson Learnt :::::

I will be taking my first series of examinations for my second year in NTU in a few hours time. This semester's examination time-table would be a pressing one than the previous, or should i say my examinations every semester is pressing; 1st year 1st sem exams everyday, 1st year 2nd sem with a long break of 9 days before the next paper. In conclusion every semester is a challenge for me.

Addressing about this challenge issue, I was really grateful to have my Lord to be my teacher last week. I realised that I learnt something each day and He seemed to be speaking to me moreover these lessons seemed to be inter-linked with one another. Let me recount:

Pastor Teoh addressed the issue of Cyber-danger to us last week, though its been a fact that we knew the dangers of cyberspace, however youngsters do not seem to realise the danger. Take myself as an example: I used to check my email more than twice a day, and this had resulted myself to be very dependent to this machine. This gadget creates a convenience to many, however, many side-effects were thus formed. I've witnessed many of my students and younger friends had somehow seemed to have loose their identity; this is their identity crisis. They dun seem to be what they are as they expressed themselves in their blogs / cyberspace. I watched one of my students had totally lost her sense in which the way she blogs and the way she behaved in presence is really the difference of heaven and earth. I've seen such situtations in my older friends too, for instance, the need to tell the truth. Besides identity crisis, another problem caused would be the lose of concentration and focus. For that, I must admit, i am facing this problem as well. Ever since man began to multi-task, our ability to focus on one things is getting weaker and weaker. Perhaps one may argue counterwise, but this is especially true. We could see people falling asleep in lectures, seminars without realising that its their concentration span is reducing. I am truly facing this problem, and definitely praying about it. Thirdly, as we face the computers daily, we tend to lose our previous items, the ability to smile and socialise. There were times where i had to purposely find a topic to communicate with my friends or younger children, and their answers were short and rude. Recounting one incident where I was blasted by a classmate(as he was getting impatient) weeks ago where I was trying to find a topic and talk to him.

Pastor Teoh further shared in a small group about the Corinthian church. The church with many problems. He pointed out that apostle Paul addresses the Corinthians as saints who were called by the Lord. Quietly, I reflected myself, am I called to be saints as well? Was I cherishing the status of being called by my Lord? My answer for both were Yes then No. Pastor further highlighted the dangers of not cherishing this status of being called to be saints and its consequences. True enough, I did experience such consequences that I realise that man should not depend on his own might, but depend on God. Anyway, Christians are called from weak to be strong, there is never a strong man without Christ in this world. Any strong man would have his blind and weak spot. So I repent myself and tell my Lord to cherish myself as a saint called by the Lord.

Received an sms by Haibin early yesterday about the departure of our dear friend's grandmother. Got a similar sms from Huey about an old sister's departure, where I was asked to play piano in her funeral wake later in the morning. Rejected in the first place to play as I have to prepare for my exams, realised that someone should really take up the role to serve, so I took up eventually. Never played in a wake before so I was quite nervous. Thankfully all went well! As I listen to the valediction from pastor about this late old lady (she passed on at the age of 99), I was amused that this sister-in-christ is really a true lover of Christ. She's a great example for me to follow, nevertheless a great elder to respect. Perhaps there was never an opportunity to talk to her before, such great works of her won my admiration and I would lest forget about this lady. Later, we proceed to the burial ceremony in CCK cemetry. (Frankly speaking, this was my first time in CCK cemetry after the demise of my grandfather which was more than 10 years ago). As her grave was near the road in which opposite was another path of graves, I went over to take a look of the tombstones of others. Shockingly saw many infants' tomb, some died years after their birth while some depart on the same day they arrived this earth. From the two incidences above, I realised the importance of life, whether I've lived to the fullest, most meaningful, treasured by my loved ones.

Am i living my life to the fullest? not depending on computers overly? Am I cherishing my status as a called saint? I'll have to keep asking myself over and over again! Perhaps my friend you may wish to help me by reminding me! ;-)

Good night and wish me best for my 2 papers later and 1 paper tomorrow morning. Got 4 papers altogether this week! ;-)