Ignorance Breeds Conceit Written bBy Jennifer Chen, translated by Eugene Wu Self struggle I was a student in China before I came to the United States to study. Fourteen years ago□ my husband and I started our own business. Ever since we set up our office, a character scroll has hung at in a prominent place on the wall.□ The scroll reads reads: “Self struggle □ Sweat our own sweat, eat our own meals. One’s career depends on one’s own effort. Leaning on the mountains will not do for the mountain might collapse. Relying on the river will not do for the river might dry up. A true man does not depend on the Heavens or his forefathers.” □This fully reflected the kind of education our generation received in China and the sense of honor we possessed. Wherever our office moved to, the scroll was always the first to go up on the wall with all due respect. For fourteen years that scroll was our motto and the source of encouragement that urged us on.
Toiling for food to eat
Since I came into contact with Christianity a year ago, I have been going to church every Sunday to listen to the sermon, and to attend Bible study class. I have gradually come to understand the truth that is being preached. I don’t remember when it was that I began to have a queer feeling about that scroll. Looking at it I was no longer as calm as I was, nor was I filled with pride as before. Indeed I felt a sense of shame. It was like finding no place to hide myself, for I no longer could look squarely at that scroll. Finally I decided to take it down and replaced it with one that reads: “Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stands guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat ---for he grants sleep to those he loves.” (Psalm 127:1-2)
I have given careful thought to this transformation process and I think that there is nothing wrong with using what is in the Chinese scroll as encouragement to young people. But the problem with that is all of us, deep in our hearts, have identified with one thing that tells us all we have achieved came by our own efforts. “We totally reply on ourselves. Thinking about such absolute assurance I once possessed makes me realize how ignorant I was and how limited was my vision.
A frog out of the wel
Since becoming a Christian I was like a frog out of the well, finally I could see the outside world and understand thanksgiving. I realized that all that we have comes from God’s deep love for us and by his arrangement. Even the small talents we have are from his blessing. We are but a pile of dust in this world.□ It was God who gave us life and the abundance that we enjoy. He even tolerated for long periods of time our ignorant pride.□ Without him we can do nothing.
My mind being thus liberated I felt like a soldier going into battle with only light equipment. I am no longer bothered by worldly problems because we have been promised by our Heavenly Father, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” (Matt.11:28). Whenever I think of Psalm37:5 that says: “Commit your way unto the Lord, trust also in him, and he shall bring it to pass.” I become full of confidence and without fears.
God gives each of us gifts.You have a choice to take them and use them for yourself, or you can use them for God’s glory. Use them and you will see beauty. Stop being consumed with yourself and fix your thoughts on Him. God called you and chose you, and there is a reason for that.
When you ask Jesus into your life, you are given the Holy Spirit as your counselor and guide. When you open the Bible and pray for wisdom, you will see things that you could not if the Spirit did not show you. Pray, listen and obey. He will show you what you need to do. He knows your needs. He made you and He knows you more than you know yourself, and He is right there waiting for you with open arms. You don’t need to clean yourself up to go to Him, He takes you just the way you are, and will come in and heal your deepest wounds to give you peace like you’ve never experienced. It no longer becomes conditional peace, but contentment in all circumstances. That is true love and true acceptance. You will not find it anywhere else.
Trusting Jesus was the first step to huge adventures in our lives. Life is not always easy, but I know Christ is always with me. These promises are available to you as well. Why not pray this simple prayer in faith today and release the reins of your life back into God’s hands.
Lord Jesus, I want to know you personally. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to you and ask you to come in as my Saviour and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank you for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of woman you want me to be.
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