-Titus 2:12
An Unexpected Light in the Darkness
:D Yes, I am still writing on this blog (almost done though). When I created drafts for my blogs, I usually jot down some of the events that happened in Taiwan and then pick a verse from the Bible that is relevant to that/those events. I decided to pick this draft today because Titus 2:12 is actually pretty related to what we (the CCF girls living in the house) read last week in John 3 (which is so packed with delicious food/things to think about).
So in John 3: 19-21, it says this:
"19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
These verses reflect on the world's unbelief and sin... and people's tendencies to hide in guilt (of knowing that they're doings/thoughts were wicked). These verses come after John talks about how Jesus came to the world to live and then die... and then live for us because of his immense love for us. And he mentions that Jesus came to the world to save it... from itself and its sinful nature. So to have this set of verses following that message, it shows that even with Christ as the one who came to save us, people still refuse to choose God as ruler of their lives... instead of themselves as having the authority.
In Taiwan, when in Taipei, the most urban city in Taiwan (I think), there were many "developments" that made me realize the world gives itself so many things to think about... so many things to occupy itself with... anything but God. And while I was there, it was surprising to see some things. Going to the shopping areas around Taipei 101, there were ads/photos of provocatively dressed female figures... but more surprisingly was the fact that my friend had told me that during the day, which was when I went, the area looked relatively normal: couples/families/friends walking around window shopping, some talented individuals displaying their acts in the middle of the shopping plazas, and various higher end stores waiting for customers to enter their store... however, during the night, she said that the little entrances and spaces between the stores open up to night clubs in the basements. The nightlife was a popular scene, attracting who knows how many young people... seeking for something else... to fill a longing... to fill their emptiness... to fill their lonliness... to fill their boredom... or some other reason. It was just while I was walking past this area that I was able to coincidentally run into a group called IM (Inspiring Moments).
This Christian group was very unique in that I saw that it was prioritizing the youth, and the problems concerning the youth, of Taipei. During the week days and weekends while the sun was up, they would have a tent trying to evangelize and spread the word about their Friday meetings. Basically on Fridays, they would start with a sort of high-energy concert (usually with some famous pop star like Vanness Wu and Nicky Lee) and then a personal testimony of the pop star or some message by the pastor/missionary. But it was truly amazing to see that they were boldly "renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions" in order "to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age" (Titus). It was pretty cool because there was apparently a famous female singer who was there and my friends and I got to hear her sing some Christian songs in Chinese, while this Christian TV station was recording. Just to know that there are different groups of Christians reaching out to people of different ages, backgrounds, and tendencies both with more traditional styles to even modern methods was amazing to tangibly see.
An Unexpected Light in the Darkness
:D Yes, I am still writing on this blog (almost done though). When I created drafts for my blogs, I usually jot down some of the events that happened in Taiwan and then pick a verse from the Bible that is relevant to that/those events. I decided to pick this draft today because Titus 2:12 is actually pretty related to what we (the CCF girls living in the house) read last week in John 3 (which is so packed with delicious food/things to think about).
So in John 3: 19-21, it says this:
"19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.”
These verses reflect on the world's unbelief and sin... and people's tendencies to hide in guilt (of knowing that they're doings/thoughts were wicked). These verses come after John talks about how Jesus came to the world to live and then die... and then live for us because of his immense love for us. And he mentions that Jesus came to the world to save it... from itself and its sinful nature. So to have this set of verses following that message, it shows that even with Christ as the one who came to save us, people still refuse to choose God as ruler of their lives... instead of themselves as having the authority.
In Taiwan, when in Taipei, the most urban city in Taiwan (I think), there were many "developments" that made me realize the world gives itself so many things to think about... so many things to occupy itself with... anything but God. And while I was there, it was surprising to see some things. Going to the shopping areas around Taipei 101, there were ads/photos of provocatively dressed female figures... but more surprisingly was the fact that my friend had told me that during the day, which was when I went, the area looked relatively normal: couples/families/friends walking around window shopping, some talented individuals displaying their acts in the middle of the shopping plazas, and various higher end stores waiting for customers to enter their store... however, during the night, she said that the little entrances and spaces between the stores open up to night clubs in the basements. The nightlife was a popular scene, attracting who knows how many young people... seeking for something else... to fill a longing... to fill their emptiness... to fill their lonliness... to fill their boredom... or some other reason. It was just while I was walking past this area that I was able to coincidentally run into a group called IM (Inspiring Moments).
This Christian group was very unique in that I saw that it was prioritizing the youth, and the problems concerning the youth, of Taipei. During the week days and weekends while the sun was up, they would have a tent trying to evangelize and spread the word about their Friday meetings. Basically on Fridays, they would start with a sort of high-energy concert (usually with some famous pop star like Vanness Wu and Nicky Lee) and then a personal testimony of the pop star or some message by the pastor/missionary. But it was truly amazing to see that they were boldly "renouncing ungodliness and worldly passions" in order "to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age" (Titus). It was pretty cool because there was apparently a famous female singer who was there and my friends and I got to hear her sing some Christian songs in Chinese, while this Christian TV station was recording. Just to know that there are different groups of Christians reaching out to people of different ages, backgrounds, and tendencies both with more traditional styles to even modern methods was amazing to tangibly see.
