Good Friday

If we consider how utterly undeserved [the crucifixion] was, we call it grace; if we consider the cost, we call it atonement; if we consider the effect, we call it new life, redemption, sanctification.
Austin Farrer, A Faith of Our Own


It's Good Friday already! Wow, time flies, and yea, there were calls for me to write more here. Guess I'm adopting a policy of writing less unless I feel I can write something substantial or interesting here. No point writing for the sake of filling up space, right?

Pondering upon Good Friday, I was reminded of the movie, Passion of the Christ yet again. As one of the best done and researched movie about Christ, it tells us of the time Christ got arrested, the unfairness of His trials, the tearing of his flesh as the thorn-filled whip graced it and finally, the how a man, welcomed on a donkey a week before, had turned into a public enemy. And so much more, that they even chose to release a murderer, instead of him.

Overzealous may not seem an extreme word to describe their faith, and perhaps they really wanted to serve God. But was their zealousness tempered by the want of political power, the need for public adoration and the way they think they're actually preserving God's laws? That is, until a certain man calling himself Jesus Christ came about breaking their laws and called them their religiousity, "White washed tombs"

Christ died and rose again 3 days later. Christ came as a revolutionary, but yet, many misunderstood Him as someone who would wage a war. And when Christ gave the sermon on the mount, many were left stunned, dumb founded and amazed. Here was his chance to raise an army that could actually overthrow the oppresive Roman Empire, and there he was exalting the weak and saying that theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Has he gone cuckoos? Who was he actually? I'm sure the disciples were as equally dumbfounded by their leader.

And, reading thru Sivin Kit's blog, which had a link to thoughts on the Cruxification of Christ, I would like us to ask ourselves. Have we taken God's grace for granted? Have we been too numbed to the pain of the Cross? Has our lives been too preoccupied with our wants, our insecurities and our hurts, so much so that we miss out on what does God actually wants us to do for the moment?

I don't claim to have the answers, and well, I've none. To tell the truth, I struggled with issues of self-image, anger & depression between last year's Good Friday and this. But yet, I'm taught again and again, that God's in control. I've promised myself not to look at situations from a point of whether others would like me or for that point, hate me(and after all, it's all insecurities. And when the facade drops, would they still like you?), but from a point of where could I be God's blessing to others. Life isn't about being selfish, scared or even about running away. But know, and believe that God's in control..

Looking back, time did pass us by fast. Last Easter, there we were, Alvin, Dwong, Mel, Charis and me. Going for a hang out session after our finals,and following it up with the Good Friday service at FGA. And now, it's another Good Friday! Boy, I'm another year older too..

On less serious stuff, I might be changing over to Digi postpaid this weekend. Running Crossroadz requires me to call more often than I would have needed to previously. And Digi's Optimum plan does look good in the long term, and well, Maxis' plan 75 does not allow us to carry forward our remaining credit. So then, goodbye Maxis! And salut Digi!

Guess dat's it, have a blessed Easter!