“...the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”
– 1 Timothy 3:15

| Home | About Us | Archive | Articles | Comment | Directory/Churches | Links | News | Youth |

>> Comment >> Redeeming the Time

REDEEMING THE TIME

by Ong Kok Bin

Without so much of a sweat, 2008 is here already. Father Time has indeed worked so subtly and steathily that he has managed to sneak another year on us. He could do this probably because he ended 2007 with a bang and began 2008 'in resignation'.

No, Father Time did not resign from his post. If he had, it would be the end of time and of this world as we know it.

By 'resignation', I am of course referring to the resignation of our most honourable Minister of Health, Dr. Chua Soi Lek, in such an unfortunate circumstance. By all accounts, he was a good minister. But he chose the dirty game and he fell with his pants down.

Another politician, Benazir Bhutto, provided Father Time with a ruse to end 2007 in such an explosive double quick fashion. The twice former Prime Minister of Pakistan was trying her luck for a third term in office. By all accounts she was a brave and hard-headed woman. But she chose the dirty game and she was taken out with a bang.

These are the two diversions Father Time pulled on us in the transition from 2007 to 2008. Wonder what further tricks he has in his sleeves to distract us from our most pressing tasks. And ho, presto, it is 2009 or 2020 if we are not too careful.

Before we lose 2008 to Father Time let us consider our roles and our goals to make 2008 count - for ourselves, our children and our God. With the world in its present state of ever increasing conflicts, rising prices, and the inexorable rush towards money-grubbing, we do have a big fight on our laps to keep us from being distracted in such worrisome worldliness.

Paul's warning to the Ephesian Christians resonates uncannily crystal clear to our time (as if he was writing these very words to us): "Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15-16).

Already, Satan has succeeded in driving wedges in the body of Christ and we are much weakened. But the Lord is our strength (Phil. 4:13) and with him on our side, it is possible for us to do everything to make 2008 a better year for ourselves, our children and our God.

Only let us 'fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience' (1 Tim. 1:18-19).

Short-Takes
1. Conspiratorial Misrule
2. Redeeming the Time
3. It's an Oily Business
4. Lifting Holy Hands in Prayer
5. A Gracious People
6. Words, Words and Words
7. I Know Whom I Have Believed
8. Of Oddballs and Heroic Fights
9. The People Delivered a Tsunami
10. Joy in Troubled Times

| Home | About Us | Archive | Articles | Comment | Directory/Churches | Links | News | Youth |

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this page may be reproduced, in any form or by any means,
without permission, oral or written, from the Church of Christ, Seremban, Malaysia.