Two weeks ago, I went to my usual bus stop to catch the bus to my desired destination, a routine that I have been doing so week after week. Strangely, looking at the bus information panel, the bus numbers I was looking for did not show up. It quickly dawned on me – F1 season – road diversion! Thankfully, I had plenty of time. An easy switch was all it took to be back on track to my destination again.
Most people live lives revolving around a usual path of what to expect next. But the curve balls of life many a times catch us off-guard. Changing routes to a destination with time in our hands is small matter, if at all. Conversely, a short phone-call, a visit for a doctor’s consultation, a message from our WhatsApp chat, can turn our private world upside down.
Probably the most talked about example in the Bible on the curveballs of life is Job – receiving news after news that brought him to despair – relating to his livestock, servants and children, with all these affecting his wealth, family and security.
Instead of cursing God, his extraordinary response of faith was, ‘21 . . . Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ (Job 1:21).
Yes, it is practically realistic to live out what we sing – ‘With Christ in the vessel we can smile at the storm.’ Christianity is never a bed of roses without thorns. Through life, there will be pain, grief and uncertainty. However, with faith and trust in our God – of both the mountains and the valleys, He will carry us through.
‘Rest in God. Leave the rest to God.’
Richard Lai
