May I have your attention please?

I'm sure we all agree that there are countless ways of grabbing people's attention but one of the most common way is through our words. The very things we say and convey to others!

After going through a phase of being a 'nobody' and having an awfully low self-esteem due to my outer appearance at the age of 15, I've decided to step up and tell myself "I'll be a new guy. New looks, new personality - a new hope and identity!" on the first day at school in the age of 16!

Believe it or not, this was how I looked like then:

(DON'T LAUGH. And yes, that's what attention can drive you to do. Not easy to go to school with this sort of hair and not having the discipline teacher to demand to wash my hair, lol!)

True enough, it started to grab people's attention. People actually start to have a new perspective towards me and actually start to treat me differently all together. Getting all glad and happy that I'm now somebody, I constantly seek every opportunity I can to crack a joke and get my way up to be with the 'popular' group.

Yet, in that same year, I was finally convicted by God's Grace and Mercy (after countless evangelical meetings I've attended) in the youth camp at Tapah, I've committed my life to become a follower of Christ.

And indeed, I was firmly disciplined by God.

He who guards his lips guards his life, but he who speaks rashly will come to ruin. - Proverbs 12:3

One morning, one of the clubs/uniform group (can't exactly remember)'s representative came in to make some announcements. Thinking I could crack a joke and tease the representative, I said something totally irrelevant and seeing the fact that it's a serious announcement, there's really nothing to laugh about it. Having the whole class, including the teacher staring at me with a look, I promised God and to myself to never ever, speak rashly again.

Through the years of nourishment and guidance of the Lord, it all came clear that indeed, if whatever words that comes out from my mouth is not for His Glory but for mine, I'm asking for trouble.

If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God.. - 1 Peter 4:11

Don't worry, I'm not saying that it's an easy task! That's where all the self-denial comes into place and the very act of carrying the cross, following Him daily. We need to be convicted and be reminded constantly, "Why seek the attention of the world, when you have God's?"

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! - 1 John 3:1

It's actually very practical. I mean, to observe what we say to others and the message we're conveying. But the main basis behind it is of course, God driven. The very wall post we put up on facebook, the sms-es we send to one another, topics said over the table during yum-chas, the posts we have on our blogs and the long list goes on.

Would I rather keep quiet and gain no attention or discourage the topic when a gossip takes place?
Would I rather share a Godly perspective into someone's struggles than to impart my own?
Would I rather listen than to speak during a conversation?
Would I make a point to post up a message of God's love and grace than to announce to your contacts on every single location, activity and food you eat on facebook?

All for His Glory.

God bless,
daryl 's u n d a e' heng

Images used:

- http://g1wallz.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/so-embarrassed.jpg
- http://www.ct.gov/dcf/cwp/view.asp?a=3622&Q=432386