A. J. Cronin on God's Perfect Ways

Upon my arrival from Germany in 2001, my father asked me to read a beautiful poem by A. J. Cronin. This poem is truly a wonderful treasure to me. In a line with that poem, few weeks ago, a friend of mine shared in the office chapel her reflection on what she called as 'trusting God.' Both the poem and the reflection confirm and uncover what God has been recently showing me through dreams. They teach me that in all situation whether it is good or bad, it is always appropriate to say, 'It is up to you God. Lead me according to your perfect way, though it may sound silly according to my own judgment.' Do enjoy Cronin's poem below:

Life is no straight and easy corridor

along which we travel

free and unhampered,

but a maze of passages,

through which we must seek our way,

at times, lost and confused,

now and again checked in a blind alley.

But always, if we have faith,

a door will open for us,

not perhaps one that we ourselves

would ever have thought of,

but one that will ultimately

prove good for us

Love: A Borderless Christian Vision

Few weeks ago, I got an opportunity to visit the United States. It was for the purpose of attending the Global Leadership Forum of Compassion International. About eleven years ago I left the country after completing my first degree in theology. Then, I lived in Chicago for three years. I felt somehow that my recent visit was different. I experienced my second culture shock to the American culture (and people so to speak).

September 11, 2001 has changed the world map and situation, especially the United States. The brutal terrorist attack on WTC and the Pentagon created deep trauma for the Americans and the rest of the world. This attack, in my perspective found its ground in hatred. As a result of that traumatic event, entering the United States has been becoming more and more difficult, especially for those who come from Islamic countries or countries with huge number of Muslim population, like Indonesia – which in addition to that situation is unfortunately famous as the home for some of the most wanted terrorists. In some European countries, I know by my own experience, the time for visa processing for countries associated with terrorism is longer compared with other countries. A friend of mine told me few weeks before my departure to the United States that obtaining a US-Visa is considered more difficult than approaching the gate of heaven (read: salvation). In fact, my first application for US-Visa was refused. Praise God, I got the US-visa on my second coming to the embassy. A friend of mine had to apply for three times before he got the US-visa. The list of so many sad stories of visa refusal is to be frank endless.

Somehow, I felt uncomfortable with my recent trip to the United States. I felt a little bit intimidated. It was uneasy for me to face the immigration officer at the Los Angeles International Airport. My good fellow told me how he previously was randomly selected for further investigation in the Airport, and it took three hours before he was finally ‘released.’ Thank to God for making my way to enter the United States smooth - people do support me in prayer, and God answered!.

There I met friends, brother and sisters in Christ who warmly welcomed me. This truly was a comfort to me, knowing that friendship and brotherhood in Christ is not limited and bordered by nationality and passport issuing countries. The world’s perspective on the United States and the United States’ perspective on the world may be dramatically changed because of the horror and hatred of 9/11, but friendship and brotherhood in Christ have a different stronger foundation: it is love, a vision given by our Lord himself to rule all of the world’s elements to live in harmony. Love is not only a feeling nor an action, but a vision that should drive the life of the believers and all creatures. It is love that overcame my second culture shock upon visiting the United States of America.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MORA (May 26, 2008)

We visited the burial site of our beloved daughter and sister, Moravidelita El Nytia last Monday, May the 26^th. Then was exactly one year after she was delivered from her mother’s womb. Keiko enthusiastically led us all singing ‘Happy Birthday to Mora.’ We sang that song three times. The situation was heartrending. Esther once again deeply cried expressing her apology. Keiko commented, ‘Mommy is sad!’ – ‘Keiko is also sad!’ I kept my mouth shut, though I still felt the pain inside.

We also visited the tomb of Mora’s ‘friends in heaven’: Johan Imanuel and Jaqueline Kana. Both died when they were very young in age. As I walked along the graveyard, my eyes became extremely sensitive and insightful towards kids mausoleum: I sensed strongly the solidarity and camaraderie with parents who lost their babies and young children – and many of us pose identical unreturned question: WHY? God knows the answer, and only God is able to validate the rationale. In most cases however, God does not make the answer and the justification available. Whatever genius the elucidation is, we will not consent with it anyway. Most of grieving parents do not need words. Our ability to comprehend the mind of God is worthless - and I exceedingly doubt the accuracy of our inadequate emotional comprehension. What God offers us and in chorus searching for from us is neither clarification nor comfort, but true friendship and companionship (Heb 4.15): things that we need most!

The Story of Jonah: 'Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God'

One of the most genius prophets in the Old Testament Books is Jonah. Jonah had the capability to detect the mind of God, even three or four steps ahead. The reason of why Jonah did not willing to go to Nineveh is stated in Jonah 4.2. He knew already that God could easily cancel His plan to destroy the Ninevehs. Jonah’s knowledge of God was so precise and exactly proven.

In contrast, God seemed to be lack of knowledge about Jonah. He seemed to send wrong person to accomplish His mission. As a leader, one will choose someone trustable, loyal, capable, and qualified to sit as his or her assistant – or in this context, as God’s ambassador, apostle or prophet. God chose Jonah, but Jonah went to the opposite direction (1.3). Jonah completely and intentionally disobeyed God.

Jonah knew God well, but God did not know Jonah well enough.

Jonah refused to go to Nineveh because of some likely motives. First, Jonah might be afraid of the Ninevehs. They were famous of their iniquity. They were evildoers. They did not know their right hands from their left. In New Living Translation’s words, ‘the Ninevehs lived in spiritual darkness.’ Entering the city of Nineveh was a suicidal action. Second, Jonah might be reluctant to preach God’s message to the Ninevehs (the evil non-Jews) because of his narrow Jewish exclusive nationalistic spirit. As a member of the covenant community (the chosen nation), Jonah did not want the evil Ninevehs to be saved. Jonah was a true genuine Jewish prophet. These two reasons had unfortunately created an extremely selfish prophet of God. Jonah loved his national identity, his religion and himself more than he loved God who indeed sent him.

The book of Jonah therefore shows the contrast between the infinite love of God and the coldness of Jonah. Jonah preferred to sink and died in the deep of the sea instead of to preaching the Lord’s judgment to the Ninevehs. But God sent a big fish to save Jonah. This rescue was not for the sake of his Jewish prophet Jonah, but because of his unlimited love to the evil non-Jewish Ninevehs. The end of the book strengthens this argument (4.10-11). Though according to the author, God’s knowledge about Jonah was bare minimum, His love was unfailing. On the contrary, though Jonah’s knowledge about God was accurate, he was an egotistic and selfish prophet. The hero in this narrative is brilliantly pictured as God’s compassion and abundant love – not human super knowledge.

As I am writing this reflection, my memory goes to dazzling inspiring words of one of modern prophets to the poor, Bob Pierce. He said, ‘Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God.’ Pierce is the founder of World Vision International. The words have been since then the motto of the organization. World Vision has been used by God for years to bless millions of unfortunate people.

The Ninevehs were unfortunate. They were evildoers and doomed to death, but Jonah, the prophet of God was not keen to see them transformed and saved. God’s heart was broken for the Ninevehs, Jonah’s was not.

My Heroine, Esther

Last week, I delivered a sermon for a Sunday service in Medan. The topic was taken out of my favorite heroine, Esther. I read Esther 4.10-17 and 5.1-8. Here are the five qualities of Esther that crowned her as one of the greatest women in the biblical history:

First, Esther started her fight with prayer and fasting. Though the personal and the generic name of God is absent from the book, Esther’s dependence on God was obvious. The heroes and heroines of God are distinct, exactly because the source of the power and authority come distinctively from God himself.

Second, Esther was not only an active commander; she also fought together with her people. She requested that all Jewish people in Susa to pray and fast for three days. Her command bound not only to all Jewish people in Susa, but also to herself and her close maids. Esther ran a prayer and fasting movement in the whole nation with her own prayer and fasting. Her character was certainly far from NATO (No Action, Talk Only).

Third, Esther was an extraordinarily valiant risk-taker. The law said (and all people knew) that anyone who appears before the king in his inner court without being invited is doomed to die unless the king holds out his gold scepter. And the king has not called for Esther to come to him for more than a month. The king’s invitation, I believe, was not unrelated with his sexual favor (or perhaps flavor). In chapter two, Esther was given a special one year beauty treatment before she came to the king. The one year beauty treatment proved to be successful. The king loved her. But the situation was now different, for more than a month, the king has not had sexual appetite towards Esther. The one year beauty treatment is in the book of Esther contrasted against the three days fasting. The three days fasting should even be worse devastating Esther’s physical performance, and therefore ruining the king’s sexual appetite. Hence, Esther said, ‘If I must die, I am willing to die.’ Hero and Heroine are risk-takers. The greater risk one maturely, courageously and free-willingly takes determines his or her heroic quality. In my words, ‘we are what we risk.’

Fourth, Esther was not a self-centered person. Esther risked herself, neither for the sake of her own nor for her own family. She was the queen. She lived in a pleasant palace. She enjoyed comfort and security. No one knew she was a Jew. Why would she sacrifice herself by placing her in a very perilous position? The answer is: she risked herself because of his people, the Jews were facing extermination. Half of the kingdom was even available and offered for Esther, why would she do all these ‘stupid’ things? No hero or heroine lives for him or herself. Heroes and heroines live for the sake of others.

Fifth, Esther did not run away from her strategic position as a queen. She was responsible with her position. She knew that she was the (only) key person to transform the circumstances. She was the one (no others) to turn the situation around. While so many people run away from difficulties, hero or heroine will always be there to stand in front of the world realities; and Esther did it.

As I meditated on Esther, I remembered one of the most celebrated modern martyrs, Dr. Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He was young, genius and brilliant. He was invited to the US by his colleagues, the Niebuhrs, to teach at Union Theological Seminary in New York. Bonhoeffer did sail to New York, but he preferred to return to Germany to die under the rezim of Hitler few months afterward. Bonhoeffer did not live long, but as Jesus, he did not live for himself. Bonhoeffer lived for God and for his nation as what Esther did for her God and her people.

Finally, the absence of God’s name in the book of Esther demonstrates that first, God worked behind the scene as he often does; yet second, the absence of God’s name explains the nature of God’s economy. God always works together with his chosen heroes and heroines. To be a hero or a heroine is not so much a matter of human capabilities, but keenness to be used by God, that is a willingness to risk oneself for those who are in need.

Sermon From The Most Reverend Spiderman

Jeffrey Kurniawan, a good friend of mine, delivered an interesting speech at the morning chapel yesterday. He looked at the 27th chapter of the book of Numbers, exposing all the possibilities of Moses’ sin.

Indeed, Jeffrey was not able to conclude what was the definite sin of Moses. Whatever the sin was, however, the punishment is clear. Moses was prevented from entering the promise land. In the speaker’s perspective, Moses was not deserved for such heavy punishment. Why God was so angry? Why did God grant Moses a devastating end, after a long journey and career as faithful servant of Yahweh, great leader of Israel, and bearer of the Torah? A period of 40 years in the wilderness was not a short and easy time to pass. Moses was both the true hero of Israel and of God. He freed the Israelites from the bondage of Egypt. Beside his responsibility as God’s spokesman (as a prophet), Moses also acted as priest, offering intercessory prayers for the Israelites. God’s decision might have hurt Moses emotionally. God sent Moses ‘to die’ before reaching the promise land.

Jeffrey was correct, I think, in clarifying that it is not the content of the sin that sent Moses ‘to die.’ It is who did such sin that matter most. Not the action, but the actor (not what, but who) that was more important in determining the nature of the punishment. Then he quote words from his favorite movie, Spiderman, saying, ‘With great power, comes great responsibility.’ Exactly same sin would not have resulted in same punishment, if it were not Moses who did it. It is a great irony, isn’t it? Moses successful career of leadership, not his sin, had been the cause of his unfortunate fate. Please do reflect on it! In my own words, ‘your success may become your own suicidal weapon.’

Allow me to put Peter Parker’s words in a larger context. Here is the fuller quotation:

‘Whatever life holds in store for me, I will never forget these words: “With great power comes great responsibility.” This is my gift, my curse. Who am I? I’m Spider-man.’

These words explain everything.

(1) We are not called to fear of building our own success or career. Even Spiderman, who may not be a born again Christian is not afraid of exercising the power within him. God grants us power according to his sovereign will. The only responsibility is to be responsible.

(2) We cannot protest to God for what he has invested in our lives. We are not what we wear. We are not what we have. We are not what we do. We are what God has designed and called us to be according to his wonderful grace. And your power is somehow a reflection of God’s calling. Therefore, be faithful to God’s glorious call! Do not be glad simply because of your great power! But do not be afraid of great responsibility! Both power and responsibility define who we are. We cannot separate one from the other.

(3) Power requires responsibility, subsequently, the greater power we exercise the greater responsibility we have to perform. Ironically and sadly, many people these days are seeking power without responsibility, which is absolutely equal to ‘faith without morality.’

To Jeffrey, I (and perhaps also others) thank you for delivering again an inspiring sermon. But Jeffrey and I would like to thank you the most Reverend Peter ‘Spiderman’ Parker for helping us breaking the mystery of ‘Moses’ code.’

Keiko 3 Years

I and Esther praise and thank God for Keiko reaching her third Birthday yesterday. She is healthy and smart; shinny and gorgeous; cute and energetic. We are blessed to have such a daughter like Keiko. And it is a true delighted privilege to ops for the opportunity in bringing her up by ourselves. We are learning positive, enjoyable and firm process in raising her up with God.

Since months ago, she has been always asking for Birthday cake and Birthday candles. Yesterday, she was asked to make a wish before blowing the candles. Keiko, as her parents always do, prayed her wish to go to school this year. Her uncle said a little very meaningful and purposeful prayer: ‘Lord, please provide all things that Keiko needs for her life, and please help Keiko to utilize and maximize all potentials that You have given in her life.’ I call it an ‘in and out prayer’ – a blessing that produces fruits to God, the ultimate source of blessing; a promise that brings glory to God alone, the promise keeper. Your prayers for her are truly appreciated and precious to us.

Keiko enjoyed some Birthday presents presented to her. She got little dinosaurs, camera toy and Pluto doll. Her mother bought her shoes, sandals, a rain coat and a beautiful swimsuit. We also treated her for a horse riding and a hot-water fun swimming at Sari Ater. And certainly a tiramisu Birthday cake was there especially for her. In the picture above, she looks very happy with her mom.

Few weeks ago, I and my family went to Puncak for a family weekend. The main purpose was to entertain Keiko with nature. We visited Taman Safari Indonesia and Taman Bunga Nusantara. At Taman Safari Indonesia, Keiko was happy to see her ‘friends’ around. She fed some antelopes, zebras and deer. She also rode a pony horse, a camel and an elephant. She watched a tiger show and enjoyed a ride on an artificial train. Her happiness was complete when she was able to touch and feel the rain.

At Taman Bunga Nusantara, we introduced Keiko to many different beautiful flowers and plants. She ran here and there. It was a nice sunny day. It was not surprising that Sun Flower became her favorite. Keiko spent more than an hour dancing near the fountain. She was all wet. I think, it was the dancing that is most memorable for her.

The trip was nice and refreshing for all of us. For me, it is a reminder that we, human beings, are not the only living creature in this world. God created trees and animals too. God created the world (Gen 1); He loves the world (Jn 3.16); and through Jesus he reconciled all creatures (Col 1.20). We then need to love and care for other living creatures and for the earth that God has created for us to live with and to live in.

This trip was made possible because one of our best friends provided us with luxury accommodation for free. The treat was offered in celebrating Keiko’s Birthday next week. And I want to thank him for being part of our family’s journey of faith.

Johan Imanuel 19.9.2005-1.3.2008

Good friends of God, Ageng and Hesti lost their only child, Johan Imanuel last Saturday. As I did for hours, God might also cry facing this uneasy situation. God loves both the parents and the son, but he decided to separate them for a while. God certainly knew the consequences of his somehow ultimate 'controversial' decision: He let the brokenhearted parents cry tearfully, and subsequently, he allowed his very own heart 'tortured,' in sharing the deep sadness of his good friends.

Johan Imanuel is only two and a half year old. He was born on September the 19, 2005. I, my wife and Keiko visited Hesti in the hospital only hours before she delivered Johan prematurely. Baby Johan was born with serious abnormality. He survived for more than two years after going through some major surgeries both in Indonesia and Singapore. His parents had done the best efforts to cure Johan. Johan and his parents visited us for lunch on the first day of 2007. He looked healthy and happy. That was the only chance for me and my family to see Johan alive.

Ageng and Hesti are good friends of mine too. I and my wife cried with them. We had gone through similar experience 10 months ago when we lost our daughter, Mora. What happened to Ageng and Hesti, I realize, seems to be far more difficult, yet we felt that their feeling and crying are not unknown to us.

This posting is another proof that human suffering can visit all kind of people: to the believers or to the unbelievers; to the faithful or to the faithless; to good people or to the evil ones. It is not to us to judge the fairness of God's economy. Whether there is purposes behind human suffering or not, only God knows the mystery. One is certain, in allowing his friends to experience suffering, God is allowing himself to suffer with them - and absolutely it is not an easy and simple decision to be executed.

Lessons in Logic

Few days ago, I received a worth-to-read e-mail from my friend. A set of Jokes, but an elegant one: The words contain wisdom that invites us to rethink about and reflect on our very life. Enjoy!

1. If your father is a poor man, it is your fate but, if your father-in-law is a poor man, it's your stupidity.
2. I was born intelligent - education ruined me.
3. Practice makes perfect..... But nobody's perfect..... . So why practice?
4. If it's true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for?
5. Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak.
6. How come 'abbreviated' is such a long word?
7. Money is not everything. There's Master card & Visa.
8. One should love animals. They are so tasty.
9. Behind every successful man, there is a woman. And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two.
10. Every man should marry. After all, happiness is not the only thing in life.
11. The wise never marry. And when they marry they become otherwise.
12. Success is a relative term. It brings so many relatives.
13. Never put off the work till tomorrow what you can put off today
14. 'Your future depends on your dreams.' So go to sleep
15. There should be a better way to start a day than waking up every morning
16. 'Hard work never killed anybody.' But why take the risk?
17. 'Work fascinates me' - I can look at it for hours
18. The more you learn, the more you know; The more you know, the more you forget; The more you forget, the less you know.; So.. why learn?
19. A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.... What more can I say?

Profound Questions Lead to Sound Answers

Another fresh speech was delivered this morning by one of our pastors, Petrus Nawawi. The sermon is taken from a classic conversation between Jesus and the Pharisee in Mark 12.28-34. Unlike other speakers who normally focus on Jesus’ answer (the content of the law), Nawawi took The Pharisee’s question as the starting point of his message. The question on the most important law was interpreted by Nawawi as an inquiry towards priority in life. The reality says that seldom we ask question concerning what is the most important thing in our life.

I am learning that a sound answer always come out of a profound question. Our society and culture unfortunately teach people simply to find and memorize answers, without training them to pose deep inquiries and questions.

If we perceive religious answer as truth, the failure of formulating questions results in partial understanding of truth. Truth is divorced from both its original context and our contemporary context. This phenomena leads towards a new faith and community that is completely alien from Christian faith and Christian community: an individual faith that does not touch the reality of life; an ‘answer’ that does not really answer the problems of our contemporary world; a ‘truth’ that is theoretical.

I encourage you not to worry to walking through paths full of questions and uncertainty. Keep asking questions! And God will release you with touching and transforming answers

Fresh Interpretation on Joseph's Life

Yesterday, a good friend of mine (since my high school days) spoke in staff chapel meeting on the life of Joseph. He (Jeffrey Kurniawan) reminded us that life is not always smooth and bright. There are times when we have to go through dark and difficult moments. Often, we may not in authority to control our situation. Yet, he said, we are always in authority to make a right decision and positive responses towards those unwanted situations.

By exploring the life of Joseph, he even was able to convince that bad things are not simply ‘accessories’ to our lives. In the narrative of Joseph, the extremely undesired situations had been intentionally used by God to lead us into so many positive and great opportunities. I think – It is here that the biblical concept of success finds its root: the ultimate victory of Jesus over a long way of persecution and death. Folks, do not underestimate undesired things and situations! God may use them to bring you into a grand and bright future.