What do people see?

Once upon a time I was 23 years old and the year was 1986. I had purposed to either join an investment bank or a management consulting company. I had interviews with both types of organizations and miraculously, despite a tough recession year, I was hired to be a management consultant. That year 21 deposit taking cooperatives were put into receivership (or "administration") because they became insolvent with the economic downturn. My firm was made responsible for 2 of them, and guess who had the main working role of reviewing their loan portfolios and leading the process of creating a computerized database of all depositors. I had to learn fast and I was working day and night. There was a stretch of 3 days that I worked without going home. You can say that I earned quite a reputation in the firm, especially among the leadership that included some very prominent people in Malaysia today. Daniel had a similar experience but on a much bigger platform and scale.

Daniel 4:8-9

But at last Daniel came before me (his name is Belteshazzar, according to the name of my god; in him is the Spirit of the Holy God), and I told the dream before him, saying: Belteshazzar, chief of the magicians, because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you, and no secret troubles you, explain to me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and its interpretation.

What a move of God. Babylon experienced God big time. A 2nd dream and Nebuchadnezzar knew who to call. He called Daniel, "Chief of the Magicians". He mentions that the spirit of the Holy God was in him. Even with all this achievement the king had great pride and probably did not honor God. Hence the Lord touched one of the biggest man on earth, if not the greatest, with a debilitating situation and made him go crazy because his head got too big. But the big learning here is that Daniel's God is acknowledged.

What do people see? A life that is godless and without power. Or, a life that has great strength and able to be a positive influence on others. Many people around us may hate our faith, mock and persecute us, but deep inside they are either admiring our countenance or confused by our reactions. That happened with me at my first job. I had an incredible ride in my career and I would attribute it to the Lord, and my leaders knew that.

Father, let my words and actions always reflect God and lead people to the Lord like the way Daniel led Nebuchadnezzar to God.

Comments

My Journey of Faith

Sreedhar standing to the left of his grandfather in the center Almost 55 years ago a son was born to a Hindu family. The parents were 2nd generation Malaysians raised in a rubber estate near a small town called Sungei Petani in Northern Malaya at that time. This first child was given much love and care by their parents and had the privilege of growing up in 3 different states of Malaysia, most of which was in Petaling Jaya. He was blessed with his first domestic airplane ride when he was 10 years old, and made his first trip by airplane to Bangkok at the age of 11. In the mid 1970's the family moved to a large house in a relatively exclusive neighborhood in Petaling Jaya. This was a result of the favor his father, aged about 35 at that time, had in the workplace,. As a result, this son grew up in a mostly multicultural environment with Indian, Chinese and Malay children. In the process, his perspectives became cosmopolitan and racially neutral. On...

He has plans to prosper you

Over 30 years ago I was contemplating my plans for the future while helping a dear Brother in the Lord do some minor repairs around the house. Nothing serious was moving in my applications for jobs in Canada or the US. At a Monday night College and Career Bible Study at Stone Church , Toronto, I got my direction through this passage and some other information God placed there that night. And so within a week I bought my one way ticket to Malaysia. That was a significant move for me as a 23 year old. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. The move to Babylon was probably quite significant for the people of Judah that were taken captives and there was great uncertainty as to when they could eventually return to their homeland. Jeremiah was clear. Be ready to stay for a while. You are going to stay in Babylon for a bit. Just like the people of Judah, God can take...

Rags to riches need something else

Can the impossible become possible? I have read many stories of rags to riches and have been naturally impressed by everything that has been said. It required great persistence, hardwork, endurance and something else. That something else is what differentiates between one rags to riches story, and the many other rags to rags stories. Unfortunately, we do not hear or read many of the latter. The successful ones had a "good break" that is a gift from God. Psalms 126:6 He who continually goes forth weeping, Bearing seed for sowing, Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, Bringing his sheaves with him. The people of Israel could only dream of being released from captivity. That is how this chapter started. Yes, the sowing of seed is needed. Hard work cannot be missed. But, along with the hardwork is the weeping. Weeping before God. He alone provided the deliverance when the people cried before God. Father, my heart's desire is to see all saved. Hear my cry O Lord fo...

You are being watched

Many people go about their daily lives oblivious to the fact that they are being watched and their conversations being eavesdropped. What these system and technology giants do with all that collected data is a big wonder. Your phone is the biggest culprit today. Having said that, there is someone else watching and listening. 2 Kings 14:26, For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter; and whether bond or free, there was no helper for Israel. Israel became a renegrate state from the time after Solomon. It went into great leadership trouble. Some great prophets lived during those days. Why? God was watching and listening, and He maintained an active interest in the affairs of these people. He intervened many times. Eventhough their leaders were bad, God had compassion. 2 Kings 14:27, And the Lord did not say that He would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven; but He saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. What about you and me? Same compassion...

It is impossible but possible

There are many things that appear impossible in our lifetime. Can the effects of the French revolution be reversed and the pursuit of God returned to this once God fearing nation. How can Egypt, a Muslim nation, return to its Christian roots? I believe it is possible. 2 Chronicles ends with this profound verse. 2 Chronicles 36:23, Thus says Cyrus king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth the Lord God of heaven has given me. And He has commanded me to build Him a house at Jerusalem which is in Judah. Who is among you of all His people? May the Lord his God be with him, and let him go up! Jeremiah prophesied that after 70 years the people of Israel will return to their land. It happened because a heathen king who worshiped other gods, including himself, acknowledged God! This king was victorious and powerful. He could have avoided the need to make this statement. However, it is evident he saw and heard the God of the universe through the lives of people like Daniel and his friends....

Historians must tell the whole truth

I love the way history is recorded so that we can see what happened, and possibly learn from it. However, many historians do not speak up and get heard. Perhaps they feel that they are in a dying profession where the future prospects are poor or even dead. The Bible records history like no other. This statement provides some background to the historical account of how King Ahab died. 2 Chronicles 18:6, But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?” Jehoshaphat is a Godly king. He becomes great friends with the king of Israel. Perhaps there was some move to reunite the two kingdoms. However, this was not to be. Ahab had 400 prophets tell him that he will win a battle. When a prophet of God was called, he surprisingly gave the same message. However, he also delivered the bad news. He gave the background to the whole thing that happened in heaven. This prophet was like Hanani. He was prepared to suffer the consequences for d...

Sreedhar's Journey

Search This Blog