Maybe I love the sea because one of the images that I used to describe my journey is the windsurfer. Indeed riding the waves by catching the wind is parallel to the journey thus far: Catching the wind of God to move me up in various seasons of my life.
Maybe I love the sea because another image that I would use for reflection of my 45th Birthday is the rower. The rower looks back to go forward. In rowing, the rower sits in the boat facing the stern (back). He rows with his back facing the front of the boat. The rower moves towards his destination with his back towards his destination and his front view behind.
From the image of the rower, what can I learnt and what are my prayers?
1) Complete the race WELL.
I want to reach the destination. I want to complete the race WELL. Maybe I have mellowed in my competitive nature 😊. I can afford to lose other games or sports but not this one. I want to complete it WELL. I do not want to lose sight of my destination: Christ. I do not want to lose my bearing of becoming more like Christ. I want to be able to navigate well. Because one can lose sight of the destination and the bearing.
Therefore, my prayer is that I would be taught to number my days so that I may gain a heart of wisdom. That I would use each day well in my navigation towards Christlikeness. Much grace is needed.
2) Motivate others along that route
The rower looks at the back of the boat as he rows forward to his destination. I picture myself in this scene whereby there are also rowers behind the route that I am taking. We are in the same journey All of us need motivation. And it is so encouraging to know that someone ahead of you have reached the next checkpoint or target. This gives confidence that it is possible or attainable, even if along the route we have setbacks and we made mistakes along the way. Remember that according to the rower’s imagery, those setbacks and mistakes have passed. We look back at setbacks and we row forward. We learn from our mistakes and we row forward. I want to be one who will be able to produce such motivation and encouragement to those behind, especially in my 2nd half 😊.
It will
be so joyful and even glorious to have all complete the race together.
Therefore, my prayer is that I would create positive memories, milestones and means for those coming alongside and behind me, especially for my wife and 2 daughters. May I not stumble them in their journey of faith. Instead, may I model a positive example of what it is to be on this Christlike journey in all seasons. May this ‘work in progress’ (me) be an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Much grace is needed.
Do I really love the sea? Yes. I love its color and the activities one can engage with. Maybe later I will drop by to say hi. But for today, my prayer is really ‘Lord, teach me to number my days and make each day useful in my journey’
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