Serve beyond what is required

About 2 minutes walk from my place, there is this Thai food shop called Khunthai Restaurant. I shall give you the address of this restaurant by the end of this note for advertisement purpose and for prove to my claim that this restaurant staffs (at date of writing) are mostly friendly.

Before I entered the restaurant, I heard a  foreign greeting, "Sawat dee kap!"

This is not him, okay.

One of them (I don't remember his name) lead me to my seat and asked, 'How are you?' in Chinese language but then soon realize that I’m not. His interactions were genuine as he was talking to a friend rather than words from a script. Food was served at the very reasonable time and I observed that most of their visitors are regular customer. He asked me either the food was nice and told me that he is available if I needed anything more.

After I paid for the meal, I looked at the bill... I was shock by the fact that the restaurant did not include any service charge! Exactly 09:17:55pm, 17th January 2011, an axiom comes to mind: Average people serve what is required, but extraordinary people serves beyond what is required. It was a lesson of a life time.

Sometime I do things just to get by and barely get through the day. When I was working part-time at Sushi King Restaurant, I came just in time to work and exactly on time to go back. What should I expect? More salary? No! Whatever I sow is what I will also reap. I get paid for what I work for; nothing much and nothing less. John C. Maxwell writes, 'The average day is average only because we don't make something more.'

If all this while you want to pass an exam just to get by ('cukup makan'), or while working hour running here and there, busy doing nothing and staring at the clock on the wall to tick at 5pm; don't ever dream to be an excellent student or get any promotion. We can stay where we are now and do the work of the average OR we can do beyond what is requiring for that is what Faithful Servant does. 

In your ministry toward others, in serving the Almighty Creator, apply this Servant Leadership principle in your daily life: - Take every opportunity to serve beyond what is required.

Will you work extra 5 minutes today?

Will you study more than playing games tomorrow?

Can you serve without extra 'service charge' now?

 ......................

Khunthai Restaurant

6, Jalan 5/44, Petaling Garden,

Off Jalan Gasing, 46000 PJ, Selangor.

Week 28: Shut Up! - There's a Time for Everything.

"Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance." (Proverbs 12:23)

One night after watching movie we went to a restaurant for a cup of coffee (okay, I'm the only creature who ordered coffee that night) and have some Kolo Mee, which may or may not equivalence to Chilly Pan Mee at SS2, Petaling Jaya. While our drinks reached to half-full level and mee shifting from a plate to our stomach with a help of reddish chop sticks... someone started a conversation about how cinema industry works.

Now I have to tell you that I had work as Assistant Cinema Manager for one and a half years at Golden Screen Cinemas (not for boosting but for validation) and this man was a friend of friend… and he was talking too much. He talked about how the ticketing system, how the projector works and bla bla. He did mention on some elements in the cinema, which come to my amazement that it was told half-truth and most of it was totally 'heretic'. He seems to know-it-all! From cinema to human psychology, economy, politic and the worst of all- about the Scriptures! When all had been said and done, I'm glad that I speak only few words.

Have you met someone who seems to know-it-all? Who can name every star in the sky and every cell in our body? or someone who is called ‘Living Encyclopedia'? Well, maybe it's time for us to examine ourselves and take a deep thought that; we don't have to know everything or appear to be so. In her book, 30 days to Taming your Tongue, Deborah Smith Pegeus writes;

"Even if you have knowledge of insight into a certain situation, sometimes it's prudent to keep silent and give another the joy of fulfillment of explaining to you... Assuming the role of the arrogant expert on almost every topic is a sure indication of pride, which is repulsive behavior to God and man."

She continues that if we want to let go of that know-it-all tongue, you can start by letting someone share information with you that you already know without letting him know that you know it. This can be a great training in humility and emotional maturity.

I love what the ancient writer of wisdom, Joshua, son of Sirach writes, "Some people keep quiet because they don't have anything to say; others keep quiet because they know the right time to speak. A wise person will not speak until the right moment, but a bragging fool doesn't know when that time is. No one can stand a person who talks too long and will not give others a chance to speak."

There are time when I'm tempted to write about everything and trying to impress you with how smart I am which totally fake and you know well: - I don't. Because God had provide us with two ears and one mouth, it's intelligently enough if we can be 'quick to listen and slow to speak' as James in the Bible advised us to do. When we are in a group or with people, try to actively listen to others, ask for ideas and limit our input to only two or three points.

Did I just told you to be silent and don't speak at all? No! The philosopher in the book of Ecclesiastes writes, "There's a time for everything... a time to keep silence, and a time to speak."

Habakkuk complained, "Oh, Lord are you not from everlasting?"

... why are you silent..?

Habakkuk raises a question that most of us want to ask but afraid that we might don't get the answer or afraid that people may think that we're faithless, but the truth is: we are unsure sometimes. He raised a question that doesn't seem like a prayer but a mere complaint directly to the throne of God. 

"O Lord, how long must I call for help before you listen, before you save us from violence? Why do you make me see such a trouble? How can you stand to look on such wrong doing?" (1:2-3)

Ten verses after that, Habakkuk made another complains;

"... why are you silent while they destroy people who are righteous than they are?" (1:13)

He raised these questions shortly before Babylon invaded the Jewish nation of Judah in 586 BC and erased it from the map.

[Obviously, Habakkuk didn't read the Dale Carnegie's book, How to Win Friends and Influence People. The first principle noted in this book is; "Don't criticize, condemn or complain". He was few thousand years earlier before the book was published.]

In today's contexts, we may raise a similar question when we're having the difficulties trying to rationalize everyday events with human's mind. If you're like me, you may raise questions after watching evening news such as; "How could rapists or murders only sentence to jail penalty while he should deserve a dead penalty instead?", "Why You let Your Churches burned?", "Why you let the wicked rich and let the righteous begging for support?", "Why Believers persecuted because they worship You, O Lord?" etc.

The only way to get away from these questions is by deciding that there is no God; that all things happen by chance and we're only a physical creature, here today and gone tomorrow. But we're smart enough to realize that it's not true. (Write to me if you have problem about this) Just look at the stars, sun and moon. We have many clues that He is exist then He is not. (So why live like there is no God?) Why He is silent, I do not know. He may reveal some of His plans but not all.

When reading through Chapter 1 of the Book of Habakkuk, I'm imagining that there was a long pause between verse 4 and 5. After a long waiting He replied to Habakkuk;

"Keep watching the nations around you, and you will be astonished at what you see. I am going to do something that you will not believe when you hear about it." (1:5)

Wait for a minutes, what should Habakkuk do? None? Just keep watching??? Who do the work of judgment? God of the Bible said, "I am going to do something." So I said with the same mind as Habakkuk, "Well, do it now! I cannot stand watching the injustice happening around the world." He gently whispered to Habakkuk and Habakkuk writes to me and you what He said:

"Put it in writing, because it is not yet time for it to come true. But the time is coming quickly, and what I show you will come true. It may seem slow in coming, but wait for it; it will not be delayed." (2: 3)

What astonish me is that God never rebuked him for complaining. God answered when we are sincerely asking. Habakkuk never lost his faith in Him. He learned the lesson of faith by the end of this book - 'to trust in God's providence regardless of circumstances. He declares that even if God should send suffering and loss, he would still rejoice in God his Savior'. (NIV Study Bible commentary)

Do you still have hope for God to turn your tear into laughter? Would you hold on to your faith in Him and 'keep watching'? Will you let Him using you 'to do something' in this world?

I don't feel that I've done much justice to The Book of Habakkuk by writing this simple note because it is rich and hundred fold more amazing than this. But let me summaries this book with our context today; we are to wait for Him 'to do something' in our country (Malaysia), wait patiently, prayerfully and live by faith- trusting in Him.

"The righteous will live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4)

They are asking you now, 'Can you forgive me?'

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Matthew 18:21-22)

Coming to the year 2011, it is not difficult to see that many people bring up some 'excessive baggage' of hurts from the past. Forgiveness seems to be the work of a saints, and we reason ourselves that 'I'm only human' and to forgive only can be done by those who have achieved an Angel-ship. This is of course, is not true. Day to day agenda, we sometimes consciously or unconsciously, intentionally or unintentionally; hurts others. To make the story worst, hurt people hurt others. When forgiveness seems to be alien from one lips, it develop into anger, and from anger to stress and all of its bad habits will eventually follow. Soon or later, it kill a person faster than cancer.

Why did Peter asked such a question? I do not know. We may assume what happen but thanks to his boldness, we can hear what Jesus' replied. Jesus said, seventy-seven times. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary commended, 'Until seventy times seven-that is, so long as it shall be needed and sought: you are never to come to the point of refusing forgiveness sincerely asked'

"Richard, it's easy to say then done.", You may ask me. Well, I may say that it's easier for me to write this down then to speak to you face-to-face. When we read the Scriptures, what Jesus said was never a suggestions, it may be said with a soft spoken tones or with a very kind expressions but none of His Word was just a mere words- His Word is a command speak in a language of love.

When we forgive, we shown to the world that God is alive. When we forgive, we shown to our neighbor that the Holy Spirit is in you. When we forgive, we shown to our brothers and sisters that I can't do it, but Jesus is able to change my heart. When we forgive, we agreed with the fact that 'I'm only human' and He is the Only God that is able. When we forgive, we are forgiven. When we forgive... Our prayers will be heard.

They are asking you now, 'Can you forgive me?' What would you say?

P.s: I'm giving away 2 books of Charles Stanley, The Gift of Forgiveness for free. All you have to do is write to me a short comment on what happen after you forgive others @ when someone had forgive you.

Week 27: Kindness - so that the deaf can hear and the blind can see

I believe that the message of the gospel must be spoken and shown to the watching world. (Steven Sjogren, Conspiracy of Kindness)

 Charity does not require a large deed. It often takes little acts of kindness in the form of a warm smile or a kind word. (Steven R. Covey, Everyday Greatness)

I remember well when I went back home by bus to Petaling Jaya from Shah Alam after visiting my friend, Jimmy Awang. It was crowded, and for your information; RapidKL service don't have conductor bus. So as you can imagine, it took lots of time during transaction. 30 minutes later, an old lady with her big black giant bag came in for a ride, I'm suspect she was a real Indian from India. I knew this when she replied me, 'Hellu' instead of normal 'hello'. 

She was sitting next to me and looking straight through a transparent glass on her right side without a word or any indication to communicate with me. Maybe she thought that I'm an unfriendly Chinese guy (I'm Iban, but most people think that I'm Chinese) or maybe she just doesn’t want to talk, just enjoy the ride. 

I want to communicate with her, but I doubt that she can understand me. So I take out chocolate- Nips, and offered her to have some. Suddenly, she smiled, shakes her head which is a sign of 'yes' and open wide her right hand and said 'thank you'. When she arrived at her destination, she said 'bye bye' and what a magic it was- she gave me the loveliest smile ever!

Do you remember when is the last time you do the act of simple kindness toward others? It doesn't cost much but the effect is tremendously great. It was a win-win situation. She has her chocolate, and I have her attention. It's not the size of your deeds or gifts that's matter; it's the heart of the giver that counts.

As the children of God, we must demonstrating His kindness by offering to do some act of humble service with no strings attached. When you saw an opportunity to serve others, don't waste it! Offer yourself up, make the best of what you have at hand now and do it great as possible at that moment.

A Nips chocolate can make this old lady’s day a little bit brighter. It cost me RM1.80 for the chocolate but I received a specious 'gift' in return, a smile on her face. When we show the kindness toward others, it is not for the sake of receiving back, but to show how great our God is. It’s our respond, because He gave so we give.

Will someone this week understand the Gospel better because of your simple act of kindness?

Anything worth doing does not have to be done perfectly- at first

Anything worth doing does not have to be done perfectly- at first. - Ken Blanchard, The Heart of a Leader.

Every leader- employee, employer, parent, student or those 'without title' (as Robin Sharma say it) should recognize that accomplishment or success will not come unless first, a failure or short coming at one point or another.

For example, when we start to learned how to walk, do we all felt during our first attempt? What we do as a baby? Don't we rise up again, try and try again until one day, we finally walk?! So when you see people walking at Mid-Valley Mega mall or The Spring Shopping Complex, you must remember this- they all had felt before. (Though some may still fall using high heels)

Don't be too hard on yourself. Do not be discouraged if you cannot play the guitar and decided that Guitar-Pro software doesn't work. Make it a positive experience if you fail your exam for the first time. Your parent may put a lots of hope and pressure on you for this new semester, but don't get too hard on yourself. Make it a joy and privilege to be where you are right now; adsorbs all the hope but some of the pressure to make you move ahead. Don't expect instant perfection.

Ken Blanchard continues; it’s unfair to be hard on yourself the first time you attempt something new. It is also unfair to expect such an unrealistic standard from others. It's not necessary to do everything exactly right the first time.

Week 26: Sacrifice - 'Even death itself will turn backwards'.

            It is the Law of Narnia, the Deep Magic that every traitor is belong to the queen Jadis, White Witch. Edmund as we know it from the first movie, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, was a traitor. The evil White Witch said, 'His blood is my property', while pointing out her finger toward repented Edmund. In the Law, the punishment is to die on the Stone Table, '... as is tradition.' said the self-proclaim queen. This claimed happen in front of Great Lion, Aslan. 'Come in~', as he invites the Witch for a diplomatic talk with the enemy.

            We don't know what they are talking about, C.S. Lewis keep it for himself. As they when out from the tent belong to Aslan, it is quite surprising when Aslan announces that Edmund is released. People scream out in joy, but Lucy as she always is, known there's something wrong in Aslan's voice.

Jadis asking Aslan for a last time, "How do I know that your promise will be kept?"

Aslan roared mightily toward her to ensure that he kept his promise. But what promise? What did he promised to the evil witch?

…

We as human as we are though... or rather reason ourselves that we can make up for our own wrong doing. We say, 'I steal only once, I'm sure God won't punish me. In fact, I'm doing many good things now.' We thought that we can get away with our wicked life by the Law of Balance; steal RM2 then pay back RM2 in a form of charity or gifts and then zoooopppp! our sins disappear. We thought that God can be fool! 'Here God, look I have pray 23 hours per day, fasting 2 months and read the Sacred Book 3 times every week. Now I know that I'm righteous!’ God is love, He will forgive our sins but God is also Just, He must punish our sins.

…

Edmund must die. Edmund repent, yes, but he still has to die. If Aslan lets Edmund get away without any punishment, he's a law breaker, a liar and not trustworthy. What did he promised to the witch?

He will bear Edmund's punishment- to die on the Stone Table.

That night with heavy heart but willingly, he went to meet White Witch to sacrifice on behalf of Edmund- to die. He knew that Susan and Lucy are following him, so he said, 'It is time, from here I must be alone... you must trust me. Farewell~'

At Stone Table

"Behold, the Great Lion.", as the witch saw him with gladness. He was wounded, bound, tied and his hair was shaved. His Glory, an honor of a Lion was removed from him. Jadis whispered,

'You know Aslan; I'm a little disappointed in you. Did you honestly think by all this that you could save the human traitor? You are giving me your life and saving no one... So much for love.'

'Despair and die!' she loudly yelled and the cold knife went deep into his flesh. He breathes his last...

'The Great Cat is dead!!!'

.....

Edmund have two choices: to die and the witch would have his soul or to live but someone else have to die. Aslan have two choices too; to give out Edmund to the witch and not being a responsible King and a loving Cat or; he has to sacrifice on behalf of Edmund and remain responsible and loving but powerless. In this case, Edmund didn't choose at all, Aslan volunteered and prove to be powerless... is he?

....

The next morning, the Table Stone was break into two and Aslan body was gone. Moment later, there he was, standing as an old Wise and Magnificent Lion, a King, resurrected from his death. Susan in her disbelieved, 'But we saw the knife... the witch.'

Aslan said to her and Lucy, 'If the witch knew the true meaning of sacrifice, she might have interpreted the Deep Magic differently. That when the willing victim who has committed no treachery is killed in a traitor's instead, the Stone Table would crack and even death itself will turn backwards.'

...

This is a friction story, but I believe that there's a true story. I don't believe in Deep Magic, I believe in Deep Truth. I don't believe in the Law of Narnia, but I believe in the Law of God. I don't believe that Aslan is the Most Mighty Lion; I believe that Jesus is the Lion of Judah. I don't believe that we can clean our own eternal sins; I believe that Jesus’ Blood had sacrificed Himself to redeem us from the punishment of our sin.

This is the only motivation for life that I knew that we don't need to do anything except believe, have faith. Be motivated to live out your life on the assurance that the Lord is Powerful, 'even death itself will turn backwards'.