"Is this an X-files episode?!" Very much, I must say… except that the truth is NOT "somewhere out there," rather, "somewhere deep within."
In today's terms, the web connotes the Internet or in technical jargon a network of some form to link inter-related or interdependent points. The reality of the web speaks about entrapment, entanglement and endangerment — the spider's arrival spells inevitable death!
Interestingly the marketplace we live and thrive in is a spinning replica of the intricate web of bits and bytes. I spent 25 years in the IT industry and the experience taught me an invaluable lesson or two about how the two worlds parallel.
At every corner of our lifestyles — both corporate and personal — unconsciously, in the abyss of our minds and unknown to any intel beings, we crave for self-excellence whilst making wild statements of such sorts — "we are (read that: should be…) more concerned about ourselves than the person next to us." Often it does not sound so plain. We justify our thoughts with conniving ideas of "watching our own backs" or "striking before being struck." It is comforting to know that we are not in this alone. That is a deception. The Bible clearly states that every man will be accountable for every iota of his/her word or action. When we begin to personalize the common everyday words we say (or think) and actions we do (or devise in our minds), those expressions or schemes become a devious manifestation of our own deceit! So, "I should be more concerned about myself than the person next to me" may be a factual statement; but, do you and I need to go down that path?
The Bible is clear about one thing and one thing alone. "Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself," "…against love there is no law" and "greater love has no man than one who lays down his life." So what you and I purport to do with our lives, we must likewise do for our fellow brothers and sisters—absolutely and without a doubt, our stand is to bridge the widening gap of creed, race and color—as all peoples are the creation of our Father God.
"Get rid of dead wood." I often hear this drum beating in the office air-wells. Our corporate culture bestows its glories and rewards on the achievers and tramples and drives out those who fail. As Christians, we have unwittingly absorbed that culture into our own lives—much like our pagan forefathers who assimilated their beliefs, ideologies and continue to fuel their ritual practices even after accepting Christ. Is this right? Or, should the question be, "To what extent is this right?"
Our marketplace today has placed tolerance and compromise as a neutral ground to tread fairly. Most Christians feel outnumbered in the practices of the corporate world and succumb to the professional ethics of seemingly world-renown management gurus. How many of us look at Jesus as an admirable corporate CEO figure and His disciples as capable managers and His audience as competent executives? Across the decision-making and deal-clinching landscapes, how many of us will practice faith before logic? How many of us are willing to sacrifice our time, money, even career to help another become more successful than ourselves? How many of us will trade our corporate priorities to seek His kingdom first? Today the rules of the corporate game are: Money, money, and more money. Is that the sole purpose and plan of God for your life? Each of us must search deeply within ourselves to realize if this question is pertinent and whether we dare choose to be different and firmly stay an uncompromising position.
Deception is not listening; it's what you believe! Belief is a powerful subliminal tool—our tongue can say otherwise but the heart does not lie. The Bible has a clear analogy to this mind game when Jesus said, "Do not be deceived; if a man hates his brother, he has committed murder." We can be trained to be courteous, yet our hearts can lie about our intentions.
Put yourself under a microscope. What are our first thoughts when meeting another fellow human being? Do we see the good first in that person, or the bad? Do we have racial prejudices immediately or mutual respect? Do we distinguish between the common man and the elite? Do we have benevolence first or feel conceited? Do we offer a hand first or wait to be asked? Do we earnestly expect friendship or doubt the other's intention? Do we confront or yield? Do we sacrifice or count the cost? Do we… do we… do we…? And Peter himself asked, "Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother?" We all know the answer — countless times.
Each person must be conscious of the spirit-being within himself/herself. It is liken to a container within us. It must be filled with the Holy Spirit for power to be realized in and through us. God's kingdom is a choice of for Him or against; black or white, victorious or defeated, divine strength or physical. What will your choice be?
The spider is lurking somewhere out there…
Lawrence Chia
In today's terms, the web connotes the Internet or in technical jargon a network of some form to link inter-related or interdependent points. The reality of the web speaks about entrapment, entanglement and endangerment — the spider's arrival spells inevitable death!Interestingly the marketplace we live and thrive in is a spinning replica of the intricate web of bits and bytes. I spent 25 years in the IT industry and the experience taught me an invaluable lesson or two about how the two worlds parallel.
At every corner of our lifestyles — both corporate and personal — unconsciously, in the abyss of our minds and unknown to any intel beings, we crave for self-excellence whilst making wild statements of such sorts — "we are (read that: should be…) more concerned about ourselves than the person next to us." Often it does not sound so plain. We justify our thoughts with conniving ideas of "watching our own backs" or "striking before being struck." It is comforting to know that we are not in this alone. That is a deception. The Bible clearly states that every man will be accountable for every iota of his/her word or action. When we begin to personalize the common everyday words we say (or think) and actions we do (or devise in our minds), those expressions or schemes become a devious manifestation of our own deceit! So, "I should be more concerned about myself than the person next to me" may be a factual statement; but, do you and I need to go down that path?
The Bible is clear about one thing and one thing alone. "Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself," "…against love there is no law" and "greater love has no man than one who lays down his life." So what you and I purport to do with our lives, we must likewise do for our fellow brothers and sisters—absolutely and without a doubt, our stand is to bridge the widening gap of creed, race and color—as all peoples are the creation of our Father God.
"Get rid of dead wood." I often hear this drum beating in the office air-wells. Our corporate culture bestows its glories and rewards on the achievers and tramples and drives out those who fail. As Christians, we have unwittingly absorbed that culture into our own lives—much like our pagan forefathers who assimilated their beliefs, ideologies and continue to fuel their ritual practices even after accepting Christ. Is this right? Or, should the question be, "To what extent is this right?"
Our marketplace today has placed tolerance and compromise as a neutral ground to tread fairly. Most Christians feel outnumbered in the practices of the corporate world and succumb to the professional ethics of seemingly world-renown management gurus. How many of us look at Jesus as an admirable corporate CEO figure and His disciples as capable managers and His audience as competent executives? Across the decision-making and deal-clinching landscapes, how many of us will practice faith before logic? How many of us are willing to sacrifice our time, money, even career to help another become more successful than ourselves? How many of us will trade our corporate priorities to seek His kingdom first? Today the rules of the corporate game are: Money, money, and more money. Is that the sole purpose and plan of God for your life? Each of us must search deeply within ourselves to realize if this question is pertinent and whether we dare choose to be different and firmly stay an uncompromising position.
Deception is not listening; it's what you believe! Belief is a powerful subliminal tool—our tongue can say otherwise but the heart does not lie. The Bible has a clear analogy to this mind game when Jesus said, "Do not be deceived; if a man hates his brother, he has committed murder." We can be trained to be courteous, yet our hearts can lie about our intentions.
Put yourself under a microscope. What are our first thoughts when meeting another fellow human being? Do we see the good first in that person, or the bad? Do we have racial prejudices immediately or mutual respect? Do we distinguish between the common man and the elite? Do we have benevolence first or feel conceited? Do we offer a hand first or wait to be asked? Do we earnestly expect friendship or doubt the other's intention? Do we confront or yield? Do we sacrifice or count the cost? Do we… do we… do we…? And Peter himself asked, "Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother?" We all know the answer — countless times.
Each person must be conscious of the spirit-being within himself/herself. It is liken to a container within us. It must be filled with the Holy Spirit for power to be realized in and through us. God's kingdom is a choice of for Him or against; black or white, victorious or defeated, divine strength or physical. What will your choice be?
The spider is lurking somewhere out there…
Lawrence Chia
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