Remember your roots

It has been a while since I last blog... too much going on lately with convocation, parents visiting, and festivities. I am glad to be back in Waterloo and enjoy some quietness. 

Definite it has been a great privilege to study in UW, and even though there were many times that I complained about school... it is really a gift that I take for granted because the majority of people don't have access to this level of education. In my family, I belong to the first generation to study in an university, so there are many reasons of celebration, joy, rewards, and expectations. At the same time, I am reminded that I should be grateful for my dad who has supported me financially all these years. It is hard to really to give back to my parents who are wishing the best for me and sacrifice a lot for my well being.

Being at convocation, there is a lot of "self-praise" statements from people saying that all the graduates are to change the world, and have a lot of potential, and are smart, etc. In a way it is true =P, but I remember something that was taught to me at a very early age. 

My dad used to tell me a lot of stories about the living conditions in the past that my grandparents had to endure. I even went to China to visit my "homeland' which is a very small village. And there is a very small house (about the size of the living room or UWP) and apparently 10-12 people used to live in that house. Definitely, living at that time was tough for my family.

It is very natural to wish the best for the children and to hope that their living conditions will be better. I am definitely very privileged... I live in a room that is comfortable, I have food on my table, lots of commodities, etc. A lot of time it is so easy to take these for granted and to take pride in our worldly successes. But when I remember "my roots", the place where my family came from, I have to be humbled. I have to be thankful with what I have, and to walk in humility because God is the one who gives and takes away.

Similarly, we are to walk in humility always in midst of successes in ministries and spiritual battles. We are really blessed because we were once alienated from God, and we deserve all His wrath because of our sins. But the exceeding amount of grace from God is too intense that we are given a new life. I love the contrast that is shown in the next verse: 


"All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:3-6


Understanding how undeserving we are, and grasping how good God is is a way I get to "measure" the immeasurable grace. The pastor's wife from my home church wrote me an email congratulating me and also emphasizing in the same lesson:


This is only the beginning of your professional life...so remember to humble yourself before the Lord and before others, that you might continue to learn much and find grace before Him and men. Remember the life of Joseph, that in the face of trials and problems and dangers, he had never depended upon himself, but on the Lord for he knew to whom he belonged. As you advance in life, never forget where and when the Lord picked you up, and your humble beginning. Always give credit to Him from the bottom of your heart and be sincerely and humbly serving Him, for your every step and every breath you owe to Him. If He ever prosper you, remember your origin with a thankful heart to Him, and continue to be humble and walk with the Lord without departing from His side. Be careful not to allow fame nor fortune cloud your sight nor your mind, nor allow it to become lord of your life.