Check Your Fuel...

From Hong Teck's latest blog entry:

It has always been my philosophy that if there’s nothing significant to be proud of, go and think of something that can make us proud. It could be that your children smiled at you or you actually knew the answer to a friend’s problem or you didn’t lost your temper the whole week or your reach your 10th anniversary without breaking down.

Then I remember a quote which goes something like this. “Don’t think about shinning without first filling your lamp”. I just cannot remember who said this but yes, there’s really something more important than shinning. And that is to fill our lamp first. We need to work on the fuel and nothing fuels us more than the discipline to eat, drink, think, ask and do the right things regularly.

There’s always something more worthy to pay attention to than the glory of being an expert or a genius.

I found this so true and meaningful, 'cos I was reminded of the ten wise and foolish virgins (the ancient equivalent of our modern-day 姐妹s...).

1"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. 4The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. 5The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6"At midnight the cry rang out: 'Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

7"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8The foolish ones said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

9" 'No,' they replied, 'there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

10"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11"Later the others also came. 'Sir! Sir!' they said. 'Open the door for us!'

12"But he replied, 'I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

13"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

Yup, I need to aim to be prepared and stay ready. To ensure that my lamp is always burning steadily. Something that I also realised was that everyone fell asleep. People will get tired in waiting for the Lord to come. People do start snoozing. But the key thing is, no matter how tired we may be, let's keep our spiritual lamps filled up no matter how dark or tiring it becomes.

'Cos if we don't anticipate and 加油, to spend time on the spiritual disciplines and draw strength from God daily... we may not last the race.