Feeling rich

During a time when money does not come easily and while the prices of earthly sustenance have taken collectively a huge, imaginative leap to reach for the stars... 

...I can imagine how shattered the dreams of some who wish for a taste of financial security are. For us, who now live on my hubby's single income which is combed nearly dry even by the beginning of every month (on bills), we share your frustrations. Penang is not the cheapest of cities to live in. We dread the sight of bills as well as those unforeseen emergencies that humble us by emptying our wallets and burning holes in our pockets. It is difficult to save money, to make no mention of growing financially rich - at least for us. With the coming of a baby, we can only put our hope in God. Like His word says, He can do exceedingly abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us (Eph 3:20). It had better be true.

The good news is this: His words are indeed true, and I am very thankful for the faithful provisions that have already been availed to us from various and random sources. I don't think that we would need to buy anything much for the baby after all. From pre-loved clothing (maternity and baby's), to cribs, to strollers, to breastfeeding pumps, to books on childcare, to even a child's bicycle.... What have you... they have been coming our way, thanks to friends and relatives. Recycling is a good practice. I am glad that we have a chance to maximise the potential of these second-hand things. We feel loved. And rich somehow. I guess... money isn't everything. Even when money is stressful business, one can still enjoy heavenly treasures and the generous manna poured out of the goodness of a heavenly King. 

In Christ, we are rich. But hey, Christian... Christ is also in us! (Gal 4:6; Col 1:27) It is one thing to read about Him and get big ideas of what He is like... or what God is like. But it is an entirely different blessing to truly know Him as God's mystery of Emmanuel revealed to us. Do we know Him as "God with us"? Knowing involves remembering. Do we remember and keep in mind the experiences through which God has evidenced that He is with us?

"God with us" is in us. Such an abstract concept to digest - but a humbling one when meditated upon.

Today, God's word refocuses my perspective of what makes one truly rich, i.e....  

"...the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God's mystery, that is Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge..." (Col 2:2c-3)

In other words, the assurance that comes from knowing Jesus Christ as God's irrevocable promise that He is with us "even to the end of age" (Matt 28:20) makes one truly rich. If God is with us, can financial difficulties (or sickness or pain or any other thing) defeat us and rob us of our freedom to choose life?

Life, unreachable by the threats of earthly sorrows, is in us because Christ is in us. On the other hand, life is also hidden in Christ as we abide in Him and wait for Him to come again (Col 3:1-4). Let me end with J.R.R. Tolkien's poem from The Fellowship of the Ring:

"All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.

From the ashes a fire shall be woken,
A light from the shadows shall spring;
Renewed shall be blade that was broken,
The crownless again shall be King."