OBS (a reflection)

The way we lead our lives reflects a life philosophy. There is something inside us, a compass (whether moral or not) that guides us in our decisions. And there's something in our lives that conditions this compass. It could be experience, it could be something bigger, or something smaller. Goodness is not the exclusive property of the church. Selfishness is not the exclusive property of the world out there.

The greater the challenge, the clearer the compass points true north. Where character shines is where the difficulty is the greatest. And where true hope and faith shines, is when the despondency is the darkest. What is life and death? What is fatigue and tiredness? Mere phases. That which endures is character, and this holds through even if one rejects the notion of an afterlife.

This OBS is the toughest camp i've ever been to (not saying a lot here, but just bear with me). And in the toughness, after squeezing me dry of all the energy that i have, what is left to push me on is character. What drives me on to push the people around me, is character. Through the mud, the storm, the hill and the heights, what is left, what is clear, is character, force of will, strength of mind, and of course, friendship. No human back is stronger than the mind and soul that commands it.

Challenges and sufferings have another relation with character; challenges mould our character. It takes something that was blunt and sharpens it. It takes something that was weak and sharpens it. It gives hope and desperation in equal measure, and when one steps across the barrier from desperation into hope, one would have grown.

It is the criticism of the unchallenged on the futility of struggle. The challenged know. And the answer to everything else outside of our control and ability to comprehend and accept, is on the cross.

I am thankful for the experience and challenge thrown my way. And i thank God for giving me the grace and hope to step across the barrier in the right direction. This has shown me the good work that God has already done with me, and the promise of so much more if i surrender it all to Him. To shine for Jesus, to be useful for His purpose, to comprehend the incomprehensible more...

I pray for bigger challenges to befall, and in triumph, to bring glory to God. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

"In every victory, let it be said of me. My source of strength, my source of hope, is Christ alone."