Hope

When the one and only thing left to do is to cling on desperately. Because nothing, absolutely nothing else is worth clinging on to. 

There is a hope (written by Stuart Townend and Mark Edwards)

There is a hope that burns within my heart,

That gives me strength for every passing day;

A glimpse of glory now revealed in meagre part,

Yet drives all doubt away:

I stand in Christ, with sins forgiven;

And Christ in me, the hope of heaven!

My highest calling and my deepest joy,

To make His will my home.

There is a hope that lifts my weary head,

A consolation strong against despair,

That when the world has plunged me in its deepest pit,

I find the Saviour there!

Through present sufferings, future's fear,

He whispers 'courage' in my ear.

For I am safe in everlasting arms,

And they will lead me home.

There is a hope that stands the test of time,

That lifts my eyes beyond the beckoning grave,

To see the matchless beauty of a day divine

When I behold His face!

When sufferings cease and sorrows die,

And every longing satisfied.

Then joy unspeakable will flood my soul,

For I am truly home

Of art, literature, sociology and psychology

Randomly recalling university days, specifically a few of the humanities / social science electives I took. I was always more interested in these electives than my core programme. Actually, I scored better for these too... The irony, haha.

I remember a sociology one, at a time when professors were trying to attract students with wacky titles like “Sex, death, and population [something I can’t remember] …” It was an elective on population demographics and social processes, I think. Things I remember the professor saying were like, how male crime rates might have appeared higher than females but it was possible that the reported female crime rate was lower because females were possibly better at concealing their deeds… And the professor’s personal stand on nurture vs nature when it came to criminals, and her caution to students to prepare a really strong argument for ‘nature’ if that was indeed their position.

I also did one on Asian dance, which was really a poor decision on my part but that which I do not regret. Not only was it held over a few weeks during the holidays, it turns out that I’d already fulfilled the minimum requirement for electives prior to taking this course. -_- But I enjoyed it, learning about the forms of Asian dances including Chinese, Balinese, and Javanese etc. Also, the lecturer was a director in one of the local Chinese dance institutes, who really would pass off as a regular Singaporean uncle in his 50/60’s – it was slightly amusing to see him sometimes demonstrating certain dance positions. I think he said he used to perform Chinese opera.

I will never forget the one on Aesthetics and Creative Techniques in Moving Images. This course made me fall in love with LOTR and I've been an avid fan ever since. Mainly focused on cinematic techniques in LOTR as well as old classics like Citizen Kane, it was quite a memorable course, including hilarious moments that C and I will always remember. How the lecturer had some problems playing a clip so we ended up hearing Bilbo go "Frodo, the door!" like a million times. How, in learning to create storyboards, the lecturer tried to teach us that the duration of 1 sec is equivalent to saying tak-tak out loud, as if it was a truly universal measurement. 

Just today, I recalled taking one elective on understanding psychology through Shakespearean literature (I think). Honestly, I had completely forgotten about this but a vague memory returned after coming across a similar title of another course elsewhere on the internet. And now, I regret not remembering anything from it! If I could dig out any old notes on this…

Those were fun times, having ‘tasters’ of social sciences and literature. Have I mentioned how I selected my choices for preferred streams in Secondary 2 – that I chose Triple Sciences above Literature because I thought I’d have a better career options with science than with literature? What was I thinking at 14?! (Art was also one of my preferred choices until the school scrapped the programme for my batch year because only 15 students had chosen it. What were we thinking?) 

What if the answer is "no"?

When we consider the possibility that what God wants for us may not be what we want for ourselves, what is our response? Am I able to declare that He is good and that what He wants for me is good? That is the ‘correct’ response, though most often realised on hindsight.

For now, I struggle and I fight back. I stomp my feet and I turn away in denial. I am unable to fully appreciate that this path on which He wants me to walk is good.

But by His grace, I can somewhat sense something bigger unfolding through all these experiences. I think perhaps He has greater plans for me than the one I have in mind. Or, I know He has greater plans but am too selfish to submit.

I don’t know if the answer is “wait” or “no”. I pray that if it turns out to be “no”, my heart will be ready to give thanks and sing praises to the Lord, the good and sovereign Lord.

'Tis the eve of the Saviour's birth

As December began, it was most natural to think "let's get ready for the season" or "let's get into the Christmas mood". But what IS the Christmas mood? Snow? Gifts? Parties? Love, kindness and being nice? Santa?!

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=0csGr_krOX8
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.
For all is hushed,
The world is sleeping,
Holy Star its vigil keeping.
Still, still, still,
One can hear the falling snow.

Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.
The night is peaceful all around you,
Close your eyes,
Let sleep surround you.
Sleep, sleep, sleep,
'Tis the eve of our Saviour's birth.

Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.
While guardian angels without number,
Watch you as you sweetly slumber.
Dream, dream, dream,
Of the joyous day to come.

This song seems to me more silent than "Silent Night", and it reminds me to be 'still' in the days leading up to Christmas - to remember the real reason for the season. That Christ came to show us the way (to eternal life), pave the way (by taking our place on the cross), and at the end of journey, He will be coming for us again. We don't merely *dream* of the joyous day to come; we *know* it will come. I'm comforted, in this season, that Christmas isn't just another holiday that comes and goes, but a remembrance of a beautiful and very real hope.

(Well, this song also doubles up as a sleeping charm for the hubs, what with "Sleep, sleep, sleep" and "Dream, dream, dream". )

Waiting.

Good things, but out of reach

Wanting, but not receiving

Pleading, but no, nothing

 

Sad, disappointed, grieving heart

Unfair, discontented, resentful, dark

 

Then,

Unexpected, un-veiled, light shone in

Set free, un-chained, light! And breathe

 

Good things, still out of reach

Wanting, still not receiving

Pleading... No, just waiting.

 

The Lord gives, the Lord takes

The one blessing that matters, His life He laid

So, good things, many or none

We give our lives – All, not some

 

Waiting, I shall do

Contented, I shall feel

His will, it is good.