A Weekly Meditation of Pastor Chang (November 29, 2009)

Time really flies fast! The Thanksgiving Day has passed for two days already. However, we are still in “the month of Thanksgiving” and I still like to talk about thanksgiving and encourage one another to practice, because it is a good Christian way of life. Today allow me to share with you about two articles that I received from my friends.

Not long ago, Meichin Wong, our sister in Christ at our church emailed me a good article translated into Chinese. Originally the author is Phillip Marter, a study fellow from the Medical Graduate School of Stanford University. Let me share most of the part of the article:

*The 59% of the world wealth are in the hands of 6% of people and they are all from The USA.

*The world population: 57% Asians, 21% Europeans, 14% Americans, and 8% Africans.

*52% males and 48% females.

*30% Christians and 70% non-Christians.

*80% of the populations live in bad living environments.

*70% of the populations are illiterates.

*50% of populations are in malnutrition.

*1% of populations have college degrees.

*1% of populations own computers.

*If you wake up this morning healthily, you are fortunate, because one million of people will never live more than one week.

*If you never experience the dangers of war, the loneliness of prison, the sufferings of oppressions or hunger or cold, you are fortunate, because you are better than 500 millions of people.

*If you have the religious freedom and never be harassed, arrested, tortured, or killed, you are fortunate, because you are better than 3 billions of people.

*If you have food in a refrigerator, clothes to wear, and a place to stay, you are very fortunate, because you are better than 75% of the population in the world.

*If you have some savings in the bank, money in your purse, and some pocket money, your are very fortunate, because you belong to the first 8% of rich people in the world.

*If your parents are still alive and not divorced, you are a lucky person.

*If you can read this article, you are double fortunate, because someone thinks of you as friend; besides, there are more than 2 billions of people who do not know how to read. Work well but don’t be overloaded; to love with your heart even you have been hurt; just relax and enjoy dancing and singing, you don’t need to worry about others’ view of you; just let yourself live in the paradise as your are now.

When we know we are very fortunate, our responsibility is to live out the meaning of life. There is a bimonthly Chinese Christian magazine entitled, “Touch Life.” The back cover of the last issue (October, 2009) has an article, “Live out meanings.” Let me translate for you:

“No matter you are ready or not, any human life will reach to an end.

When it comes, whatever you own: fortune, reputation

and power will become useless.

Whether you are still beautiful, attractive or gifted is no longer important.

All kinds of love or hatred, win or loss will be fated.

But how to measure the value of a life?

The importance ______

Is not what did you gain, but what did you build.

Is not what did you receive, but what did you give.

Is not human adoration, but God’s appreciation.

Is not extraordinary ability, but beautiful characters.

Is not how many people you know, but how many people

Still remember and treasure what you have done.

To live out a meaningful life doesn’t come by accident, but comes out of a series

of right decisions. Therefore, choose to have a meaningful life!”

***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****

Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)