I’ve found that there is both beauty and power in seeing through to the very truth of something or somebody. I would like to start with a recent example to explain my point here.
An abandoned but neat balcony
Earlier this May, I moved to my current apartment. It took me about a week to tidy up everything. I spared myself the cleaning after the main rooms were done, while intentionally leaving a balcony unfinished. I could easily neglect the balcony because it was fully occupied. Its floor was covered with withered leaves and heavy dust. Let alone stuff piled up on it: a used mop, a bucket, a roll of pipe, a stack of iron wires, and a heap of wooden pieces. It was easy to tell that nobody had ever cared to clean it before, as it required not only hard work, but also firm determination. Driven by my inner guilt, I finally decided to clean it one day. It took two full trash bags to pack up all the leaves and dust, three trips to the trash station to throw away the sundries and multiple times mopping and scrubbing on the floor. However, eventually, the balcony turned out to be nice and neat! With the original look displayed, I never need to turn a blind eye to the balcony anymore. Meanwhile, I could appreciate the view outside of it from time to time. My heart was filled with joy and comfort by the newness of the balcony.
A challenging but tailor-made job
In recent years, I have also been busy sweeping away the dust covering my mind, and viewing the truth of myself in Christ. This lesson was learnt through what I had experienced with my new job. I started my new job last May. In the beginning, I was not confident in doing my work due to arduous assignments and high peer pressure. I thought of resignation in the first few months as I was entangled in fear and doubt each day. Realizing that I couldn’t do anything by myself, I prayed for the Lord’s guidance and wisdom every day prior to work. Six months later, I discovered that what I could offer matched the work I was expected to do. Although I was not a professional for every task, my existing knowledge and previous experience were adequate to provide the insights needed. In my case, fear and doubt were like dust that prevented me from seeing my strength in the Lord. He sees the truth of my capacity and is wise enough to grant me the position I’m equal to. With faith in such powerful truth, the lie of incompetence was destroyed and I was able to face challenges in work with confidence.
A humble but precious savior
If both beauty and power are revealed when viewing a cleaned balcony and a person’s actual capacity, what greater dynamic will be show if one sees the ultimate truth of Jesus, the son of God? “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”(John 8, versus 32). The freedom Jesus mentioned here is to be set free from the bondage of sin, which is the greatest freedom that one could enjoy.
Sin is like heavy dust that defiled mankind and separated them from God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”(Romans 3, versus 23). Since the wages of sin is death and the natural person doesn’t accept God, a sinless mediator is the only way for man to make peace with God. By dying on the cross, Jesus has undone the shackles of sin and empowered people to see who they truly are.
With obedience and humility, Jesus redeemed a group of people whom He called children of God. God regarded them as righteous, cleansed them with truth, provided them mercy and grace in the time of need, sealed them with the Holy Spirit, and gave them eternal life.
All those spiritual blessings are available in Christ. If you miss Jesus, you miss the fundamental truth of yourself. No wonder the prophet Isaiah cried out that people should seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. (Isaiah 55, versus 6). May we all seek the truth of Jesus diligently, as He is the way, and the truth, and the life!
Cindy Cheng was born and brought up in central China. Cindy enjoys travelling and reading history books. Cindy is inspired by talking with local people when travelling abroad experiencing different parts of the world, as well as herself.
Cindy’s previous articles may be found at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/cindy-cheng.html