Getting the right foundation
I decide to write this as a result of a spirited conversation I had with a friend who was perplexed over why people who don't even have any relationship with God can prosper and do well in life. It made her wonder about her own faith in God and as a result, I decided to write this.
Foundations are the most important aspect in the construction business. If you've ever seen a house or any sort of building been built you would notice the foundations go deep. They require the plow machines to dig deep trenches so that the beams, which will later either serve as the frame of the house or the support for the ground level construction.
Either way, foundations serve an important component in the construction business. Likewise it is the same when it comes to faith. Too often without proper foundation, I have seen people lose faith far too easily, or give up hope easier than those who have no religion and they often wonder "what is wrong with my faith?"
Some go into despair thinking that perhaps God is not real afterall, or that maybe it's some kind of emo-feeling based thing. After all, their atheist friends seem to be just fine and dandy carrying on with their own lives. Why is it that the Christian then finds it difficult to live his or her Christian vocation?
Based on my own personal experience, I would say it has to do with getting the foundations right. I know this simply because I too was once a wishy-washy christian who went through the motions of the christian life. When I talk about foundations, I am not talking about baptism and being reborn again or anything like that.
No I am talking about conscious foundations. Understanding and being able to truly grasp fundamental questions such as "Who am I?" and "What is God to me?". Being able to honestly answer this questions is no chicken feet. The soul is often like an ocean, it can toss and turn at any minute and it be calm at times.
As humans, we think we have everything in life. We think we are complete, but truth of the matter is, we will never be complete. Don't believe me? Ask yourself this: When is the last time you felt truly happy or at peace? How long did it last? What was the source of that happiness?
I am convinced, having merely lived for only 28 years now, that no matter how much of money and wealth one has, one will never be satisfied. As C.S Lewis brilliantly then asks in his book Mere Christianity - Could it be that because our hearts desire for something that cannot be fulfilled in this world, that perhaps there is another object that can satisfy us? (that object being God)
Its important and vital to our own soul to be able to answer the 2 questions I posed above because from it the foundations for our life is laid out. And I will admit, to answer these questions earnestly requires faith. Faith is what allows us to even have a relationship with God in the first place, faith allows us to see things differently. Consider the people who were healed in the presence of Christ. They all shared a commonality - faith. And yes faith is important, because without faith, it is impossible for us to see God's hands in our lives.
Once we have faith properly checked, the next thing we need to ask ourselves as part of getting the foundations right is "what's my relationship with God?" This is also another pivotal question because it shapes how you look at God. Are you only seeking His hands and only sometimes his face? To the atheist, God is only proven if he can work something in your life, he can grant your wishes. If God can't do that and if the atheist can do it without God's aid, then the justification is simple : The atheist doesn't need God.
But that's a very worldly view. In fact that's a very poor justification because it then makes God look like a one-trick-pony, or a magician, or worse... a genie in the bottle. And this is the problem that most christians who do not have a solid foundation with God fail to see. It's very tempting to follow the logic of the atheist, but it's also foolish to think that God is a genie in a bottle, ready to do what we wish for.
As a christian, having the right foundation is more than just getting prayers answered or hoping for blessings in life. A christian is meant to live life with God, just like a family. Things always don't go your way when you don't get along with mum and dad, but that doesn't mean you don't need the family isn't it? It's the same with God. It's more than just getting stuff from His hands...it's about a relationship with Him and learning to live in that relationship with Him.
Now that's how you get the right foundation!
S.O.S
I would honestly say that my best educational years actually came during my college and university period. Never before had I enjoyed a better time in my educational career than during my post-secondary period. And I guess once reason I really enjoyed my time as a varsity student was simply because I had a greater opportunity to ask more questions, to raise issues with my professors, and to really listen and learn from their replies.
I remember back in university we actually had a Executive-on-residence. Because Windsor was the automotive capital of Canada, it was no wonder that our Exec-on-residence was a senior manager (could have been a VP I think) from a large auto-company in the US and I distinctively remember him coming to one of our marketing class one night to introduce himself to us and to talk to us about branding and product design.
It was a good experience as we really got to interact and ask questions with the Executive. For me personally, that is just one of the many many experiences I have encountered whereby I would actually visit and have chats with my professors during their visiting hours. Either that, or I would never hesitate to ask questions in class (although I gotta admit asking questions in a big auditorium can seem intimidating) but I am glad in a way I asked alot of questions during my university years because that culture has continued on with me up to this very day.
Of course I am not saying that one should not read up and just blindly ask questions - in fact reading up and asking questions later helps you refine your questions even better - an obvious fact but still worth mentioning!
Today in my own work place, I still do ask questions and I am truly blessed to be part of a company culture that encourages employees to be open and to always seek out help. In fact that is one of our company's core value - to network with each other and ask questions and of course contribute to answers wherever possible!
I guess in hindsight I would say that never be shy to ask questions. It's one of the many ways we learn in life...and don't worry about "looking dumb" in front of others or worrrying what others might think of you. Too often that not, most people who ask questions are actually perceived as intelligent and attentive! I remember getting complimented for specifically this attribute when I first started working a couple of years ago!
Appreciating the simple things in life
"You don't really know what you've got 'til it's gone, "
- A line from the Fort Minor Song Where'd You Go
Too often when I look back at my own life, I have often failed to realize some of the simple things that I have been blessed with. I was thinking about this the past whole week as I celebrated my 27th birthday. It was only when I was thrown a surprised birthday party I began thinking of the simple things I have begun taking for granted.
Truth to be told, I am blessed beyond a doubt. As my brother candidly put it the other day when we had an open discussion about his life and searching for God's presence in his mundane world, you are blessed!
Indeed I do feel feel blessed and I do take time to acknowledge my Creator for that. But acknowledging it sometimes, as I have come to realize isn't merely enough. I used to think it was more than enough to learn how to acknowledge these blessings in life, but I think what I ought to learn next to learn to appreciate the good and simple things in life, and not just wait until the big stuff - stuff that I have always wanted and hope for to lend on my doorstep for me to start to appreciate.
I am talking about the simple things in life - family, friends, a good career, a kind boss, good colleagues, a wonderful community - basically the things that we would often take for granted or overlook due to our hectic non-stop adrenaline pumping lives that we live.
Even just having a good laugh and spending time with friends is something that should be appreciated and be thankful for, because at the end of the day, whether we like it or not, things change. The only thing that is constant is change and it's the reality that we live in. I have come to observe in my own humble years of living and seeing others live their lives around me, that most people are unhappy not because things are working out bad for them or anything like that, rather it's because they have failed to see the good in their lives, and even if they do see the good in their lives, it is often filled with some form of pessimism or cynicism, often failing to take the time to just appreciate the fact that something good has happened in their lives.
And I find that sad simply because one is just failing to live the moment. The worse part comes when you once again feel sad because the joy is no longer there, as Mike Shinoda says it well in his song - You don't know what you've got till its gone
So do take the time to appreciate the things around you, especially your friends, your family and your career. It might not be what you've expected, but that doesn't mean you still can't be thankful and appreciative of it right?
