Today I got another biandong for 45NT$.  As I was eating my chicken thigh and picking out the bits of meat stuck in the joints, a random thought occured to me: If we were to witness the animal slaughtered, actually witness it lose its life for our gain, then perhaps, we would be less wasteful with food.

Nowadays, we don’t kill our own chickens anymore. My grandma used to chop off the head, drain the blood, and plucked its feathers and such. But times have changed. We go to the supermarket and buy it from the meat section, or order a ten piece from KFC. Being so removed from chicken deaths, when we mindlessly down another drumstick, it’s quite easy to forget that it once was part of something living, breathing, and … gobbling. It’s only when we’re reminded of that fact, that we appreciate it more. This is the value of life. And this reminds me of so many tangential ideas: Christ’s sacrifice, abortion…. Such is the power of chicken talk.

“…casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Pet 5:7)

This is a popular verse encouraging us to pray and entrust everything to God. Every burden that weighs on our minds, every ailment that eats at us, every setback that frustrates us–we ought to cast all of those upon God–”for He cares for you.” Our high and almighty God can also be so small and so low so as to listen to our problems and concerns. He understands and cares.

We can also gain a deeper appreciation for this verse when we look into the context of this exhortation. Peter speaks a lot about submission in his first epistle: citizens ought to submit to governments (1 Pet 2:13-17), servants ought submit to masters (1 Pet 2:18-25), wives ought to submit to husbands (1 Pet 3:1-6), and youths ought to submit to elders (1 Pet 5:5). Apostle Peter not only stresses the importance of submission, but also the different circumstances of who ought to submit to whom. Submission then isn’t weakness, but a precious sight in the eyes of God (cf 1 Pet 3:4).

With the final pairing–for youths to submit to elders–Peter encourages youths to then “cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Pet 5:7). It is with this notion that this popular verse was written. Apostle Peter understands how tough it can be!

Indeed, among the many attributes we need to cultivate as servants of God, one of the hardest to learn is how to be submissive. As youth, in some circumstances, we may not fully understand why our elders do things the way they do. We may not agree with their thinking, with their decisions, or with their methods. We sometimes think we have better and fresher ideas to prosper the Holy work. So sometimes, our ideas and thinking may clash with the older generation of believers. But it is at this time, that we as youths need to learn the discipline of submission and yielding. If there still remains anguish and frustration in our hearts, then we quietly bring those cares and worries before God, “for He cares for you.” Rather than fiercely insisting on our opinions or campaigning for the merits of our thought pattern, God desires that we learn a heart of obedience and submission. Perhaps, indeed we may have a better idea, that was prayerfully derived, but have we considered maybe it just isn’t God’s timing yet?

It is learning to humbly yield to our elders that we show that we also submit to God and respect the authority the Holy Spirit has given to them. It is in submitting to those that can be seen that demonstrates that we indeed also submit to God who cannot be seen. Of course in matters of errors in doctrine and salvation, we should not submit, just like we shouldn’t heed any laws that conflict with our faith. However in matters of style and method, we can all learn to have a little more of the heart of Christ, to submit to God and to one another, for it was in humility, submission, and obedience that Christ was–and we shall be–ultimately exalted (cf Phil 2:3-11, 1 Pet 5:6, Eph 5:21). Until then, let us cast all our cares upon Him, for He cares for you.

As 2009 closes, I look back and see a year of transition. In 2009:

• I went from being single to being married.
• I lived at home my parents and now make a home with my wife.
• I was comfortably employed and intentionally became a student.
• That is to say, I had a regular income and now do not.
• I lived in the US (West) and now live in Taiwan (East).
• I spoke/wrote in English and now barely get by with Chinese.
• I closed the secular chapter of my life, and begin a life in ministry.
• On a lighter note, I flew enough this year to qualify now as a AA Gold Elite member.

Transitional periods are often rough. With such an eventful year, of course there were moments of sorrow and nostalgia in between the excitement and newness. But now looking back, my heart is full of thanksgiving–my steps are ordered and I know whom I have believed. 2010 will be another year of transition as I move back to the US and become a TTP student, but I already know the Lord will provide. It may not be my time nor my way, but the Lord will provide, just like He did in 2009 and my entire life. I hope that my life and servitude can be in some way worthy of His calling.

“Two are better than one,
Because they have a good reward for their labor.” (Ecc 4:9)

#5. Productivity Boost

When you set out to do something, it is easy to get discouraged. When you’re feeling lazy, it’s easy to procrastinate. When you’re feeling reluctance, it’s easy to give up at the first encounter of difficulty.

However, one of the blessing of marriage is that you no longer work alone, but you automatically do things together and help one another. That already in itself reduces discouragement, laziness, or reluctance in doing good things. It’s always a mindset boost when can work with a partner versus working alone. But even if those sentiments do creep in, your spouse’s presence and enthusiasm can help you out of the funk.

Yesterday we started cleaning up the E1 classroom to paint it. Then we’ll reorganize everything and throw out any junk. This would have been an daunting and overbearing task for one person. I know I personally wouldn’t want to tackle this alone. In fact, I think one of my many weaknesses is lack of perserverance and diligence. But thank and praise God, “two are better than one.” We were able to get so much done (and plan to get a lot more done this week).

The prospect of being able accomplish so much more together is a great blessing to have for the rest of our lives. This is the blessing of marriage.

#3. Accountability

When you get married, someone lives with you basically all the time. All your habits and routines are in plain view. Though possible, it is usually hard to hide things or be secretive of how you spend your time. All this points to the blessing of accountability. Together you can mold each other to be more pleasing to God. Just last week, I was watching an unedifying video on youtube.  Joyce awakened my conscience on what I’d been polluting my eyes and heart with. A proud man would harden his heart and find this constantly annoying. But a humble man would graciously receive the gift that is his wife–the gift that is marriage. Hope I stay humble.

#4. Laughter

There a lot of times that you just laugh at each other! One time Joyce and I were talking and during the conversation she was making a noise pretending to sleep/snore. It was so cute and unexpected that I was soon laughing myself in stitches. It was so funny! I’ve also already shared my sleep-talking story…. :P