My Way, Your Way, or His Way? (Part 1)

Pen to Paper | November 19, 2009 12:03 am

By Eugene Seah, Singapore

Whom Do I Listen To?

Self-doubting and self-questioning of the pros and cons in decision-making; self-comforting and self-condoning in wrongdoings have probably become a part of our lives.

I have often received remarks from my family and friends about my actions, lifestyle, decisions, and attitude. More often than not, those who are in favor with what I’m doing never fail to spur me on. On the contrary, those who oppose could get on my nerves for their opinions run contrary with what I desire and set out to do.

I begin to question myself, “Fake or genuine? Am I being influenced or accepting my identity?”

Most of us struggle with the correct move and decision forward. Often, we succumb to the easier way out—either by conforming to the popular opinion or do as what our hearts desire. Some of us live by the values held by our friends. We use their scales. After all, going with the majority shares the sin, isn’t it? This is the norm of our time and age. Others live by the scales of our loved ones who play a big role in our upbringing. If the majority of our family members object to a matter, then for this particular matter, the decision ought to be a “no” for sure, isn’t it?

I find it particularly dreadful when I am all fired up and convicted for whatever cause; and then is thrown off into the wind of uncertainty—or the tidal wave of doubts—yet again!

The chorus of “Who Am I” by Casting Crowns goes:
I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I’m calling
Lord, You catch me when I’m falling
And You’ve told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Sometimes I feel like a wave thrown about in a sea of doubt and contemplation; like a vapor taken along with the majority.

In moments like these, James 1:5-8 offers me great comfort. It states: “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.”

Tags: , ,

1 Comment

  1. Matthew says:

    Wow! This is the song that we used for our retreat theme song last year. Hm… Bringing back old memories..

    Reply

Leave a Comment

Related

ODJ: not a minute late
0

ODJ: not a minute late

December 15, 2010 If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed (v.3).  READ: Habakkuk 2:2-20 Jason took a trip to New York during spring break. One afternoon, he piled into a cab with some friends and headed for the Empire State Building. The ride seemed [...]

Published on December 15, 2010 12:02 am
ODJ: rising full moon
0

ODJ: rising full moon

October 26, 2009 The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known (vv.1-2).  READ: Psalm 19:1-4
 One of the most magnificent sights in nature is the 
 rising of a full moon. It’s bright and majestic and it looks [...]

Published on October 26, 2009 12:48 am
ODJ: too big to fail
0

ODJ: too big to fail

April 25, 2011 Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man!” (v.7).  READ: 2 Samuel 12:1-14 Jerry terHorst resigned as US Press Secretary when 
 his friend President Gerald Ford pardoned disgraced 
 former President Richard Nixon. He told Ford that he didn’t know how he could “credibly defend” the President’s decision to pardon Nixon [...]

Published on April 25, 2011 12:02 am
Sacrifice of Praise [1.1]
0

Sacrifice of Praise [1.1]

By Eugene Seah, Singapore Jesus, Open My Eyes to the Works of Your Hands In this series of articles, I would like to share some of the experiences I was blessed with in the three weeks trip I took in the villages beyond the Kathmandu valley, Nepal. I hope you will be blessed reading them [...]

Published on April 9, 2010 12:01 am