When you're almost literally on the other side of the world from your home country, you need a mummy and daddy.
You need them for the following things:
* helping you transport items of furniture around your new town because you have no car, and can't afford a delivery van
* putting up a curtain rail - or 6 - because even at the age of 29 you've never done that before and even if you had you don't have the necessary power tools to achieve this
* pretending your house looks wonderful after achieving the first two, even though it looks like a sparsely furnished hotel room
* sending you secret presents because they know you have no-one else who is going to do this for you and you might feel left out
* pretending that your proficiency in your new language is actually much better than it is
* inviting you around for dinner because they "want to spend time with you" (i.e. know that you have no other social life)
* offering to go on day trips with you to rural places because they know that you have no transport other than bikes (short haul) and trains (long-but-quite-specific-location haul)
And also for love and consolation when you're far away from the warmth of your own familial bubble.
I am so grateful that, unlike most of my colleagues, I have a constant and loyal source of support, advice and translation service on hand. Moving here would not have been nearly as seamless or as easy if we hadn't had friends and family here who, despite the distance, have kept in touch with my parents for the 30 years since they left the Netherlands in 1984. It makes you realise the value of friendship, and the value of creating friendships that will one day be part of yours (and your possibly your children's) lives in years to come.
Yay for friends.
CALLED AND CHOSEN BY STEVE FINNELL
ReplyDeleteMatthew 22:14 For many are called , but few are chosen."
Definition of called: Invited or summoned.
Definition of chosen: Those who are eligible or suited for election. Elected and chosen are synonymous.
WHO ARE THE CALLED?
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Every person who has heard the gospel has been called. The call is not limited to a select few who have been predestined for salvation.
WHO ARE THE CHOSEN (THE ELECTED)?
The chosen are the ones who are obedient to the call of the gospel.
The chosen are those who have 1. Faith: John 3:16
The chosen are those who 2. Repent: Acts 3:19 (Repent means to make the commitment to turn from sin and turn toward God).
The chosen are those who 3. Confess: Roman 10:9-10
The chosen are those who are 4. Baptized in water: Acts 2:38
The chosen are not those who were supposedly, unconditionally selected for salvation. The chosen have to be suited for election.
THE CALLED WHO ARE NOT CHOSEN.
Matthew 22:2-3 "the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son. 3 And he sent out his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding feast, and they were unwilling to come.
Many have had the gospel preached to them, but of their own free-will have rejected the call. If men reject the gift of eternal life by rejecting Jesus as Lord and Savior; then they have been called, but not chosen.
Matthew 22:11-14 "But when the king came to look over the dinner quests, he saw a man there who was not dressed in wedding clothes, 12 and he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without wedding clothes?" 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, and throw him into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14 For many are called but few are chosen."
This wedding quest was disinvited. He was called but not chosen ; because he was not suitable to be chosen. Improper clothing was a big deal.
Galatalians 3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.
DO YOU HAVE THE PROPER WEDDING CLOTHES TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD.
When you stand before the KING OF KINGS are you going to be speechless when He asks; where are your wedding clothes? WHAT WILL YOU SAY WHEN HE ASKS YOU WHY YOU REJECTED IMMERSION IN WATER FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS. WHAT WILL YOUR ANSWER BE, WHEN JESUS ASKS YOU WHY YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD WITH BEING CLOTHED IN CHRIST?
MANY ARE CALLED BUT FEW ARE CHOSEN!
YOU ARE INVITED TO FOLLOW MY BLOG. http//:steve-finnell.blogspot.com
Praise be to Jesus!
ReplyDeletePraise be to Magic Woody Allen Zombie Superman Kimodo Dragon Hovercraft Quantum Vampire Jesus!