Sunday, August 12, 2007

I got this question to ask whoever is reading this post. Do you think we are living in paradise or in hell? With all the beautiful things on earth, we can hardly say that we are suffering.

Looking at the children of today, we can see our world moving ahead. With all the technologies that surround them, it adds a new meaning to globalisation. The children in this time is truly living a blessed life. PSP, 3G mobile phones, laptops and even MP3 players. All these gadget can be found on many children of our time. Isn't this what every kid would hope for? 20 years ago, none of these was ever mentioned to the adolescence, needless to say the desire for them. So in comparing the two period, our kids of today is truly being blessed with all the wonderful things. But they are still not contented with what they have. They want more of what they have and they are not satisfied.

What we used to have 20 years ago was just simple toys and games that cost almost nothing compared to the cost of toys nowadays. Back then, children had to work to buy whatever they want and primary school kids working is relatively common. Life was a lot tougher and less luxurious. There was no such thing as rights for the children and they were all under the mercy of reality. Time was bad and everyone had to pull through it together.

Comparing this two very different period, which is more of a paradise? The answer, both. The children living this two time are both blessed. None is worst than the other. There is no basis for comparison. There is a paradise of its own for the two. But in itself, there is also hell. Hell for those who misused technology, hell for those who are not satisfied with what they have and also hell for those who is always comparing.

In these days of trials and temptation, we have to exemplify ourselves and resist the temptation.Both Greed and Jealousy are the sins we are facing. If I say I do not want a PSP, I am lying. But the reason I am not bugging anyone to buy it for me is because I know I want it because everyone has it. I do not need it. If I continue to want it and not able to get it, I will make my life very miserable.

It sounds like a simple logic. But it is difficult to abide to most of the time. It took me some time to understand this fact too. Whether it is paradise or hell, it is up to our own decision. Likewise, the decision to follow Christ is also up to us. No one can forced or trick anyone into making such decision. If you are asking why does Christians always want people to accept Christ, I can't provide an answer. Everyone have to experience this feeling by themselves. It is just like being in a relationship. No one can truly explain the feeling unless we experience it personally.

It is important the we set our lifestyle right before embarking anything. The feeling of someone backing our every move is very important and fulfilling. It is just like being in paradise with all the blessings surrounding us. Hell is just the opposite. Where we will find whatever we do not going right. Everything is just a mess and we just can't get things right.

But many a times we find ourselves entangled between this two. Not knowing where to go and where to belong. Friday while I was in church, I saw a scene which puts me thinking. Teenagers screaming and yelling in Church not praising God, but for their own pleasure. I wonder if they know the purpose of them being in Church. What they are doing does not echo the name of their God. To be blunt, at the rate they are going they will surely end up in Hell. What they are doing is nothing pleasing to God. Needless to say a disgrace to themselves.

My point here is that whether paradise or hell, we choose our own path. We can't blame anyone for our decision and where we will end up. But hell is an easier path to end up than paradise. It takes a great deal of effort to be in paradise.

Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty."
John 6:35 (NIV)