In Our Suffering...

Some say it's hard to see any good during times of trouble. I can attest to this after my experience recently...


I had a 13 hour flight from Toronto to Tokyo and another 7 hours from Tokyo to Singapore. My first flight was delayed due to airline tardiness. Two hours I waited in Pearson before embarking on the aircraft. Midway through the flight, I woke up dizzy and sick. "A slight headache," I thought to myself. I decided to sleep it off but the turbulent flight made my condition worse. Seven hours through the flight I had a pulsating headache that occurred every time I wake. It was unbelievably painful. To make matters worse, I left my medicine on my hand-carry luggage on the top compartment, which would be a hassle to retrieve inside a crowded airplane. There, I felt the urge to pray as God reminded me that Jesus had taken all sickness away when He died on the cross. No sickness can possess this body because He has paid the price with His blood that was shed. I made it through the flight without any problem. As soon as I got out of the plane, I took my medicine.

By the time I arrive in Narita, my connecting flight to SG has already boarded. There was no way I could catch it now since I still had to go through a line-up for security check. There I prayed again that there would be no issues in rescheduling my flight plans. I rushed to the gate to find out that my flight had already departed. I arrived just in time as the attendant was paging my name in the PA. She had already booked me in the next flight leaving in an hour. The only problem would be retagging my luggage which would take a usually long process. I walked to the gate of the rescheduled flight. It was already boarding passengers as soon as I checked in. The attended confirmed my seating and told me to wait as they retag my luggage. To make matters worse, I recalled the attendant back in Toronto didn't give me any luggage tag. I guess that's why the process took a while. The line up died down as passengers complete boarding. I was still waiting for any news on my luggage. Another 15 minutes or so passed by and I was told to go ahead inside as they search for my luggage. I gave them a description and went on inside.

The plane was already filled with passengers. Inside, I felt bad for making them wait. I took my seat and waited for take-off. There I had time to reflect on the events that happened so far. 

I remember inquiring God about the issue of suffering, how we are able to stand in faith during times of hardship and labor. It's very easy to think about it in theory, but the real test comes when you are experiencing suffering. You can't see the sun shining during a storm, but nevertheless it still exists. God is still with us along the way even when we cannot feel Him beside us. I can only see His goodness throughout my suffering when all has calmed down and I had the time to reflect. God is good. He will never leave us. No matter what, His love is ever-present. Nothing can separate us from the love He has for us. 

This I will never forget.

A Life of Purpose: This Life is Not Our Own

What is it there to life? I wake up every morning to work, eat, and socialize before going to bed looking forward towards the exact same thing. I would probably be doing this for another 80 years (God willing) or so. But is this all there is? Is life just supposed to be a routine? If this is true, then humans have just wasted thousands of years living a boring life of schedules and habits. There must be more to life than this.

Life is not just about ourselves. This life is not our own. Our existence in this world affects the lives of others. We are all connected and that connection would determine the destiny of each one of us. I am who I am because of the people around me. That is why I simply can't live for myself... If I would do anything to make myself better no matter the cost, how will this affect the ones around me?

Selfish desires to reach our gain with the expense of another: this is the reason why the world is so broken. We want to gain fame and fortune, but the cost is the abandonment of our soul and stepping over other people to reach it. Mark 8:36 says, "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Is wealth really worth abandoning our hearts? All the richest people in this world would be forgotten by the next century unless they make a mark in the lives of others. As Lea said in Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep: "I want everybody I meet to remember me. Inside people's memories (hearts), I can live forever."

In my two years of being in Canada, I have been searching for an environment where I feel comfortable and 'at home'. I settled in the Every Nation church here in Toronto because I felt very peaceful there. I have been weighing the comparisons as to why this 'mysterious peace' exist. Now, I know. I feel most comfortable in an area where others' wellbeing are more important than the self. The first time I attended, I was greeted by a number of the church members who showed genuine interest in getting to know me. Serving others before self is what's most important in impacting other people's life. Love God, and Love People; for these are the greatest commandments that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself spoke to His followers.

I'm imagining a better world: a world of peace, a world of kindness, a world of harmony. The world would be a much better place if we take our focus off of ourselves and redirect it to helping others. It all starts with each of us individuals. We make the world. We make the choices. What will you choose?

Music Blog

Hey y'all! Interested in musicy stuff? Well I'm holding a blog page for musicians! Yeah, I mostly focus on the guitars but hey! Who knows you might be interested? :) So here it is!

http://justintjoandimusic.blogspot.ca/