1 Peter 4:2

I saw '27 Dresses' with Ruth tonight, I really liked it! :) Katherine Heigl's character (Jane) was refreshingly...good. Jane is gorgeous, of course, but what makes you like her is that she is unbelievably selfless, someone who would go far out of her way for your sake. The film is fairly predictable (as most chick flicks are) but I liked how it focussed on someone who delighted in serving and fought for relationships based on truth.

'27 Dresses' was about weddings...all the loveydoveyness, and the whole extravaganza. On the way out, Ruth said, "I feel like getting married now!" And that's when I realised...wow...I didn't. It was the first time ever that I walked out of a chick flick without wishing I had someone by my side, too.

Since yesterday, I've been thinking about this:

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what the pagans choose to do - 1 Peter 4:1-3a

Recently, through Facebook, I've been in touch with a teacher from my primary school days. I found out that he left Singapore to teach poor children in a school in Khon Kaen, Thailand. And I found out that it was for this reason he became a teacher in the first place: to go out to the poor, and those the world forgot. I browsed through his website, and I read some advice that he would give to others considering missions / tent-making. Basically, it was to visit the place often, to talk to people with experience, to get accountability, etc. His last bit of advice was "Don't get married, unless your partner is going to be as ON about it as you are."

Now that, made me stop to think. That, is prioritizing. Putting God's purposes before your heart's desires. Everyone talks about it but who actually goes out and lives it? He is still reasonably young, and only about 3 [?] years into this, but wow, he has my full respect. The verse I quoted earlier was the one he gave me contextualised:

Do not live the rest of your earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

If you are reading this, I would encourage you to meditate on this verse - it really does shed light on all aspects of your life. I think it's changed me. Praise God, I don't have to live for me!!! :)