After experiencing consecutive sunrises in a plane, my trip to Israel ended safely this morning with my arrival into Sydney. As I rode on the train home from the airport, I was filled with praise unto God. He was with me every step of the way. All unknowns were met by His gracious provision, and He guided and protected me at all times. His merciful hand coordinated my transportation as well as times of sharing from God's Word. The time of fellowship with Christians in the Holy Land was sweet indeed. Despite the lengthy periods of travel and speaking my soul feels refreshed, though the body is weary. How great God is and worthy to be praised, for He does not grow weary or faint!
On the last leg of my journey from Bangkok to Sydney, I watched a BBC television film called "The Dresser" starring Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins. The story is primarily about two aging men, a renowned actor in ill health and his dresser who labours behind the scenes to ensure the show goes on. "Sir," played by Hopkins, is plagued by the potential end of a career without the fame and notoriety he believes his lifetime of sacrifice deserves. A scrapbook of articles chronicling his successes is one of his chief treasures, but even a full house and a curtain call leaves the man empty. The dresser Norman, expertly performed by an inspired McKellen, struggles also with the same problem. His constant labours to prepare the disoriented and ill "Sir" for the stage are completely overlooked - even by the man himself. He loves and despises his "Sir" at the same time, for all his dreams live and die with him. Without someone to dress, what good is a dresser?
I found the film moving because it hits upon a key note in Christian ministry: motivation. I thought to myself, why do I do what I do for Jesus? Why do we make the personal sacrifices to obey God? Do we preach or write to be known or to make Jesus Christ known? Sir desired rave reviews, a knighthood, and that people would speak well of him after his passing. Norman fed off the praise of his idol, for when Sir was praised he vicariously and greedily gobbled it up. Both men were empty in the end, having poured out their souls for what could not satisfy. Such is life, and such is even service unto God when our hearts are not pure before Him. We must be willing to labour behind the scenes without recognition, grateful we have been chosen and divinely helped to serve Jesus Christ. If we long for the applause and approval of men, even if we obtain all we desire we shall remain in want.
Unless our motive is for the glory of God alone, the Preacher in Ecclesiastes speaks the truth, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!" How praiseworthy is our God! We do not need to "dress" Him up and make Him look presentable, for He is good, glorious, and awesome in power. Holding onto the accolades and praises of men leaves us empty, but giving all honour to God fills us with joy and thanksgiving unto Him. Praise the LORD! By God's grace when we humble ourselves our best days are yet ahead!
On the last leg of my journey from Bangkok to Sydney, I watched a BBC television film called "The Dresser" starring Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins. The story is primarily about two aging men, a renowned actor in ill health and his dresser who labours behind the scenes to ensure the show goes on. "Sir," played by Hopkins, is plagued by the potential end of a career without the fame and notoriety he believes his lifetime of sacrifice deserves. A scrapbook of articles chronicling his successes is one of his chief treasures, but even a full house and a curtain call leaves the man empty. The dresser Norman, expertly performed by an inspired McKellen, struggles also with the same problem. His constant labours to prepare the disoriented and ill "Sir" for the stage are completely overlooked - even by the man himself. He loves and despises his "Sir" at the same time, for all his dreams live and die with him. Without someone to dress, what good is a dresser?
I found the film moving because it hits upon a key note in Christian ministry: motivation. I thought to myself, why do I do what I do for Jesus? Why do we make the personal sacrifices to obey God? Do we preach or write to be known or to make Jesus Christ known? Sir desired rave reviews, a knighthood, and that people would speak well of him after his passing. Norman fed off the praise of his idol, for when Sir was praised he vicariously and greedily gobbled it up. Both men were empty in the end, having poured out their souls for what could not satisfy. Such is life, and such is even service unto God when our hearts are not pure before Him. We must be willing to labour behind the scenes without recognition, grateful we have been chosen and divinely helped to serve Jesus Christ. If we long for the applause and approval of men, even if we obtain all we desire we shall remain in want.
Unless our motive is for the glory of God alone, the Preacher in Ecclesiastes speaks the truth, "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity!" How praiseworthy is our God! We do not need to "dress" Him up and make Him look presentable, for He is good, glorious, and awesome in power. Holding onto the accolades and praises of men leaves us empty, but giving all honour to God fills us with joy and thanksgiving unto Him. Praise the LORD! By God's grace when we humble ourselves our best days are yet ahead!
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