to be made separate
Edmonton is COLD!! C-O-L-D-!-!-!-! aside from that, life is eventful and full of new challenges each day!
It’s been three weeks since I’ve landed in this land of construction and limited asian food, and it’s been three weeks of hesitation, fear, seeking, remembrance and perseverence. Talking to a fellow friend who’s new in the graduate studies level, we’ve realized the change in intellectual depth. Our classes have TONNES of seminars, where we just discuss about whatever issues. And though i want to contribute and put in my word to the discussoin, the people here are just quicker and faster to respond. I then find myself nodding and “mmhmm”-ing alot and trying to think of something clever to say. This experience has generated an attitude timidness, and onto another thought…
Being “new” is fun but hard at times. You go into a new crowd and want to “belong”. You want to establish who you are, then gain respect from others in order to develop a sense of identity within the group. No matter how energy filled my friends know that I am, I always seem to enter into a phase where I’m a bit hesitant and afraid in these situations when I’m entering it alone. Then I was thinking about it today and reminded myself, there’s no one I have to prove myself to than to God. And God knows my heart, my intentions no matter what the visual output is. Isn’t that so comforting? God delights in a righteous and pure HEART! Of course it’s still hard because we’re all relational humans and how other views us is influential to how we see ourselves. But, when our perspective changes to one that is eternal, that is of God’s purposes, may God’s light shine upon us and protrude out!! No intellectual words can overrule a touch of who God is. Praise God!
I learnt a bit this weekend about “holiness”. Like many others, I think of “purity” or “being clean” with the mention of this word. But in reality, this is a word which means “to be made separate” or as the Pastor said, “to be made a cut above the rest”. God explicitly commanded us to be holy, because He is holy. That is why God is a jealous God…because He IS so separate from any type of idols we have, He cannot tolerate us comparing Him to something that is so “below” Him. comprende? And as followers of the Lord, we are to follow His steps. How do we think, speak and act in a way that is by definition “separate” and “a cut above the rest”? Our society teaches us to “fit in” so that we can gain acceptance. This seems a bit contrary to what we’re called to do, doesn’t it?
Wow. I just realized my two learnings connect. HAH. God is good.
In other news, the university of alberta intramurals volleyball is surprisingly SUCKY. I do not think I will be getting a good dose of volleyball while I’m here =(. In other other news, I am a new “Defining Eve” personal trainer! woot woot!
Onto Calgary I go next week for my first placement!!
Posted in Uncategorized on September 24th, 2007 by shirley | |
on October 2nd, 2007 at 4:57 am
i still haven’t spoken up in class yet :S i will try my best this week though! be good.. and holy!
on October 4th, 2007 at 2:04 am
keep smiling shirley maaa
and POST MORE PICTURES! please and thank u
on October 27th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
Hi Shirley
It’s good to read what’s up with you:) I s’ppose you’re in Calgary now? How’s that? One of my good friends is in a med placement there now too… you must be loving the view tho!! Those mountains are inspiring:D Take care, talk to you soon !
luv, mel