The Giver of Life

It rained today (at least in the West and Central of Singapore). The rain quenched the thirst of the grasses that are turning yellow and watered the trees that are barely surviving due to the non-rainy days. The plants were helpless - though they are alive and living, they cannot do anything about the conditions they have to face, but our Creator, is merciful to send the rain, reviving life once again. The harsh heat took a turn into a heavy downpour and the sky after the downpour was just astonishingly beautiful.

The rain that came, reminded me that God, the Creator of this Universe, is in full control of everything that is happening. The earth revolves because He made it so. The sun rises and sets, because He created it so. He commands and controls the elements of nature, or rather, He is the elements. He is the Giver of life, yours and mine. No grass or tree will die, if He does not will so. Nothing will grow, if He wills for it to be so.

As with our life, we always feel that the grass is greener on the other side or the moon is rounder and bigger elsewhere. Many a times, we admire how lovely the world outside ours is - we look at what others have and feel that we deserve more. We choose to take over the control but when we get what others have or what we desire, there is still a sense of emptiness. Do you feel that way? You are not alone. Many of us are like this. When things do not go the way we want, we ask, "Why? Why is life so unfair?" We are, but human beings, full of desires and not easily satisfied. We want to control how our life go and we forget that there is One who is Mighty and Powerful above us, who knows what is best for each and everyone of us - the One who created us.

Men fell into sin, after Adam and Eve went against the word of God who created them, because they wanted to be as good as God.

But God loves all His creations despite how we go against Him in our life. He sent His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, down to earth and to die on the cross, taking our sins, that we may have life. We lose our sight of He who gave us life and want to take control of our own life. We use our own effort to get to where we want to go, but like the trees and the grasses; He has the ultimate control over our life. He is a God, full of mercy and grace, who knows what is best for us and only giving us the best.

Are we still living everyday, fighting all odds, including God, to fulfil our needs and desires, not waiting upon His timing and will to give us His best for us? Is there something that is deep inside you that you want to fulfil but hope seems bleak or far? Then, look to Jesus Christ, the Giver of life and trust Him.

There is hope in Him, a hope that no one else can fulfil. This is the stark reminder I got today.

Jeremiah 29:11
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

"Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obeyed him!"

Went on a walkabout today and caught some not-so-typical scenes of Singapore on my Canon Powershot S120 - something away from the hustle and bustle of the fast paced society - time seemed to have come to a standstill. These scenes reminded me of the stories in the Bible - about this man who can calm the storm on the sea, who can walk on water, and who can make us fishers of men.


Tucked in a little corner of West Coast Park - time seemed to have stopped.

These fishing boats certainly have witnessed the passing of time with the changing landscape of West Coast shoreline.

 

 

Who is this, whom is being mentioned? Who has such power and authority over the elements of nature?

In the Bible, Gospel of Mark, Chapter 4 writes that after Jesus had preached to a crowd and He and his disciples were crossing the lake (on a boat) to the other end, a furious squall came up. Jesus, awoken by his disciples, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!' and the wind died down and it was completely calm. 



Fishing boats are essential equipment needed for fishermen to make a living, but what is even more important to get a fruitful catch, is for the fishermen to be able to know where and when to fish.

This man, Jesus, may not be a fisherman like all his disciples, but in another story in the Bible recorded in the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 5, revealed the power of this man, shown to his disciples before they followed Him.


When Jesus began to teach the people by the river Jordan, a few young men came to him

as followers, or disciples. Some of these men were Andrew and John, Peter and Philip and Nathanael. While Jesus was teaching near Jerusalem and in Samaria, these men stayed with Jesus; but when he came to Galilee, they went to their homes and work, for most of them were fishermen from the Sea of Galilee.

One morning, soon after Jesus came to Capernaum, he went out of the city, by the sea, followed by a great throng of people, who had come together to see him and to hear him. On the shore were lying two fishing boats, one of which belonged to Simon and Andrew, the other to James and John and their father Zebedee. The men themselves were not in the boats, but were washing their nets near by.

Jesus stepped into the boat that belonged to Simon Peter and his brother Andrew, and asked them

to push it out a little into the lake, so that he could talk to the people from it without being crowded too closely. They pushed it out, and then Jesus sat in the boat, and spoke to the people, as they stood upon the beach. After he had finished speaking to the people, and had sent them away,

he said to Simon Peter:

"Put out into the deep water and let down your nets to catch some fish."

"Master," said Simon, "we have been fishing all night, and have caught nothing; but if it is your will, I will let down the net again."

They did as Jesus bade them; and now the net caught so many fishes that Simon and Andrew could not pull it up, and it was in danger of breaking. They made signs to the two brothers, James and John, who were in the other boat, for them to come and help them. They came, and lifted the net, and poured out the fish. There were so many of them that both the boats were filled, and began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw this, he was struck with wonder, and felt that it was by the power of God.

He fell down at the feet of Jesus, saying: "Oh Lord, I am full of sin, and am not worthy of all this! Leave me, O Lord."

Who, then, is this man Jesus who can command the elements of nature and

who seemed to know nature at his finger tips?

 

Will you be fearful or be in awe if you know this person?

Or rather will you want to get to know this person?

But Jesus said to Simon, and to the others, "Fear not; but follow me, and I will make you from this time fishers of men."

Do you have a Lighthouse in your life?

Maybe it is innately in me or maybe because of the sea scouter side of me, I am pretty fascinated by lighthouses. They seemed so untouchable but their duty is a very important one.

  

They are the guide for the sailors out at sea. They are the light for the ships travelling on the unpredictable waters - 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. When the sun shines or when darkness falls, in all storms and harsh weather, the lighthouse stands tall and strong, unrelentlessly and faithfully. They are the watchmen of the sailors out at sea. They direct the routes of the sailors to keep them safe and from manoeuvring into dangerous points of the water.

Over the weeks, I happened to capture some lighthouses, some of which may have defunct or just a replica but I believe, they would have left a legacy even though they are no longer in use.

Lighthouse along the Straits of Malacca in Batu Pahat (Malaysia) near Segenting.

The zoomed in version.

Lighthouse at Damai Laut (Malaysia), next to the Damai Laut Jetty.



Strait of Johore Lighthouse at Raffles Marina, Tuas (Singapore).

This lighthouse seemed to serve the sea vehicles coming in and out of Raffles Marina.

This is a fascinating find, for this lighthouse lies in the town area of Singapore, at Fort Canning.
It is actually a replica of the original lighthouse that stood on Fort Canning Hill to guide sea vehicles in and
out of the Singapore port, back in the olden days.





Do you then, have a lighthouse in your life? A lighthouse that guides your path, one that is there with you, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, unrelentless and faithful? One who is there, even at the darkest moments of your life? One whom you can depend on, no matter how harsh the storm is, out there? 

And yes, there is a Promised, unrelentless and faithful, Light for you and me, if we believe.

John 12:35-36a

35Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. 36Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."