Call it swimming against the current, being rebellious, take the path less travelled or simply out of curiosity, I urge you and humbled myself once more to stay on this course. To defy the world masses and withstand the stares, criticisms and lack of understanding from others (including your loved ones) can make this journey harder than it seems.
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8.18
Is it not tormenting to do the things and stay obedient even if you feel like giving up? Is it not painful that you have to bear the agony of uncertainty (waiting period) and eagerly awaiting for the end results? Think of a caterpillar going into a cocoon before the transformation into a butterfly. It takes about 4 weeks for the caterpillar to hatch from the egg and then go into the pupa in its chrysalis. Like the pregnant woman, the birth cycle takes an average of 9 months, anything before is consider premature birth. After the impregnation is done, there is nothing left to do except to wait for the arrival of the baby.
In wanting what we want, it is the same. We have to concentrate on the goals at hand, feeling it has been achieved, living through it mentally, seeing ourselves behaving the way we are when we had achieved the goal. Who will we talk to? How is our expression? One of excitement and joy , surprise or emotional ? Neville said to condense it into a single sensation and focus on that.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
John 14.2-3
Mansions here also refer to dwelling place but it must not be confused with the extra rooms being built onto the extended family as secular history would tell you. The bible as Neville said is an allegory , using ancient poems, stories to convey meaning to mankind. The dwelling place here refers to the different emotional states that are available - happiness, joy, peace, abundance, gratitude, etc that we can get into if we want to. We have a choice, one of the most important traits that make us different from other animal species. A lion or tiger wakes up each morning to hunt or get hunted. They live by their natural instincts to fight off their predator or go hungry for the day. It is merely a game of survival. We human beings, made in the image of God enjoy the highest privileges - we can think and we can act according to our choice, although each choice is accompanied by its consequences.
For a moment, I seem to understand why the Tibetian monks and other enlightened people would choose to stay in the mountains. The external environment shapes our thinking, influence it day by day, conforming us to think and act like the majority. Nobody has stand out from the crowd before and it would be risky to do so. To the asians, this could means a loss of face if one does not succeed using this technique. That's the problem. We misconstrued the real facts and got confused along the ways for many many years.
While the world now celebrates the like of driver-less vehicles and robots manning the retail shops, in my opinion, the human mind need an upgrade too, the earlier the better. Too many of us still live in the ancient world, trapped by our past, allowing rituals and other cultural doings to affect how we think and act. Like robots, we simply obey, not for a moment asking why. Ironically, if adults behave this way, why are we expecting our children - the generation of the future to be different, to be able to think out of the box? Are we being fair to them when we are still locked in our own myopic way of looking at things? Or are we so complacent that we need a big wave of change from the government, the external environment to hit us so hard before we wake up?
From being able to type my daily post in my previous laptop wherever I go was a blessing. Now, I have to make do here and cherish the moment of my thoughts, finger typing and the monitor screen. I am both excited yet nervous about the results like a child awaiting for his exam results.
Imagine a world where there is no doubt and everyone has the confidence to do what they are good at. Wouldn't that be perfect ? Too many were beaten by failures and while the fought hard, some gave up after a while, citing family, finances, age, etc that holds them back from doing what they want to. There is a sense of regret in their tone, as if hoping they can get a second chance. If only they are aware of this power within them, within each and everyone of us. That's the beauty, God is fair , he has given this ability to all, regardless of race, language , gender or age.
Ezekiel 36:26
"Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
Think about it. The heart of stone can't feel, they are no different from a robot. Cold and hard. The heart of flesh is soft, capable of emotional feelings - we cry when we are sad, we mourn for our losses, we become angry and frustrated when things are not right, we love our children and we have compassion for the lesser privileged......................................
It is this heart of flesh in humans that make us who we are, to experience the ups and down in this world. God must have a reason for that else with his power , he could have turn all of us into robots. If that happens, then there would be no sin, since all of us are programmed to perform according to his wishes/command. No, he gave us a choice, to be able to experience both the good and bad side of things.
Decision making then become a daily task that all of us have to make. We decide whether to wake up at 6am or 7am. An hour of difference can means more sleep and rest or starting the day earlier and getting more things done. It is when we attach meaning to the context that makes us feel it is the right thing to do. We find it worthwhile pursuing when we have a vision ahead of us - for the family, for a goal you are after, a belief you have,etc.
So, I hope we all choose wisely each day and always harbour loving, kind and wonderful thoughts about others and yourself. Have an awesome day !