Yin Ting's Esther application

Hi guys, think I have shared really honestly about qn 12. I thank God for the courage He gave me to expose my hidden ugly self to everyone. Rung 5! haha. Anyway, I think I should put the important points here. More importantly, it is to convict of myself and to keep it in mind.

12) As you look around you and see unbelievers who do not honour God and yet who seem to be prospering in life, how can (and should) this passage from Esther alter your attitudes?

Mordecai had his just desserts, being hung in the very gallows he constructed for another man. The story shows that ultimately, God wins. God is good, so good triumphs over evil. I described my struggles as a believer and seeing nonbelievers and their unrighteous ways bring them success and fame so I'll just skip that here. Not all unbelievers are unrighteous though.

Truth is, I want to prosper in this life too. My parents expect me too, since they have put in so much money for my education and well-being. I guess it's an investment to them. When they grow old, they want a good life too. Their hopes aside, I want to have something to show for all my years of studying too. Also, as I was from a top 5 JC, many people around me expect that I am intelligent, successful and at the end of the day, rich. My college friends expect that too, so are all the teachers and mentors I have had. Others' expectations of me aside, I have very high expectations of myself too. All in all, I want to prosper in this life.

However, I dare say that I am different from people around me who want to prosper. (I have battled with this for a long time, and this is what I believe in and will keep working on clinging on to it in my life)

1. My ultimate goal is to glorify God and please God. I will not sin to gain my way to prosperity. The Bible is my guide as it provides plenty of advice on conduct and attitude.

2. When choosing between righteousness and success, I choose righteousness.

3. Ephesians 6: 5-8 God does the rewarding, I am in charge of the effort. So, whether I prosper or not in this life should come from the manifestation of my trust in and love for God, and my diligence to labour for Him. I don't seek prosperity deliberately, I seek God first in all things. (I mean, I strive to and want to.)

I believe that God will give me prosperity in this life when I choose to honour Him. Prosperity can be the reward as many Christians prosper too! That's not the focus though! And it's dangerous ground to tread on. (If God does not give me prosperity at the end of the day, I pray for humility and faith to accept it too. This is my struggle. So I guess it all boils down to my faith in my Lord.)

Qn: What unique opportunities and platforms have God given you?
1. In school. My lecture mates are non-christians, so I seek to be a beacon of light for God.

2. To the youths in church. I thank God that I have been able to involve myself with the lives of some of the kaleo youths. I pray that the advice I give and the attitude I portray displays my love and obedience for the Lord. I have had great mentors so far as a Christian, so I understand the impact young adults and mentors have on youths.

3. My tuition kids. They are all unbelievers. When I teach Science, I incorporate (subtly) knowledge of God. Being a Life Sciences undergraduate has put me in a good position to tell of God's amazing creation. Also, I share my values and attitudes of life with them, knowing full well that they are taught in the Bible.

All in all, I am thankful for the amazing opportunities that the Lord has given me to display of His goodness and to allow me to know more about this world He has created. Knowing more makes one lean in two possible ways. One towards putting all hope in science, the other towards acknowledging the wonders and beauty of His creation and bowing down to worship the One who created all things fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 119!)

Finally, my encouragement for myself is:
Continue to live like a beacon of light for Him. No excuses like I'm too young or anything! "12Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Tim 4:12