2006 in review...

I started 2006 wanting to have a good rest! Stepped down as a cgl from Jan 2006 so that I could have that kind of space to rest and reflect. Pre cgl days were always busy with calling up mbrs/prepare sermons/prepare worship/giving bible studies/doing administration. It came to a point of tiredness, I just needed to step back and seek God, not for the sake of my role as a "cgl".

It felt strange and horribly painful at the start, because it seemed weird I had nothing much on my hands to do. I felt lousy about myself, felt that I had failed terribly in my role and seemed like I had lost direction in my life. It was then I started picking up several books to read, learning to wait on God in prayer and writing journals and blogs on what I have understood from those readings.

The workaholic nature refused to rest, explored doing other things. Signed up for counseling diploma, which took up my wednesday nights, and sometimes mon & fri nights. But thank God it was not that busy and the lectures helped me understand several things such as learning what it means to be a counselor- to go alongside and fortify. Explored my role in the company, no longer a newbie after 1 year of work! Do something! And so the project in July to go Philippines!

The year in review...what shall I say? Have I missed the rest by getting myself into so many things? Not really. I feel that this has been a really growing up year for me, and I understand myself much better, what makes me tick, what are my strengths and weaknesses. I know what I can do well, and what I can't, What I enjoy and what I don't.

It was a long and lonely journey trying to find God in this whole year. Who exactly is God? Is He like what sermons portray Him to be? Can He be personable? Knowing Him is different from knowing what people say about Him. Take away church, leadership and ministry, what do you have left but God Himself!

I have a lot to thank my ex for, he has introduced me to christianity afresh through various authors and triggering my thinking to go beyond my usual perspectives. Thanks, if you are reading this.

My first breakup in March found me in an unknown valley. Un-tread and unknown grounds. Yet much at peace now, knowing that love does not mean possession, but it sometimes means letting go of those whom you love, and hoping that they find their happiness. Though, I wish often that the equation of happiness included me. Yet it wasn't to be, and perhaps never will be. Whatever it is, I know God knows the best, and I pray that if ever can be, God will bring us back together wouldn't He?

Somewhat the rest has come full circle, and I feel much more ready to serve again. Yet this time, I am serving from a position of rest, so serving doesn't mean that rest has ended. Let this peace continually rule in my heart and I pray for more joy. Pray for more wisdom and clarity. Yup, and so I volunteered to lead worship at cg retreat. There is also someone new from church whom I am asked to followup on. With apprehension but yet excitement, I face these new things in my life. I finally understand one thing, after this whole year, I am not defined by the things that I do or the roles that I play. Even though I sound so strong, but I am really afraid of the new challenges ahead. Because, the real me, is actually very shy and easily intimidated. I am only as strong and bold when God is with me.

I am scared that this peace- means that I will let go of the urgency to reach the poor and lost. I hope that it wouldn't be. I hope that the compassion will remain. I hope that I never feel so comfortable that when God calls me to uproot, I can't. I pray that I may not be afraid to be different, to voice out concerns, to challenge others and lead the way if it must be.

In the new year, I pray for new ministry opportunities. Pray that I may be surrounded by the cries of the needy, so that I may never forget. Pray that I may continue to learn humility, yet having full confidence in Christ and in my self worth because of Christ.

Amen!

A tribute to my colleagues

My boss just announced this news today to the rest, so I guess I can blog about it now!
From February onwards I will be moving into the Process Management Office. It was supposed to be July, but the replacement (for me) came earlier than expected, and so I am going to change division in one month's time! This new role is about analysing the processes in the department, and researching on how it can be streamlined/improved, as well as some enhancement projects.

I have mixed feelings now. I am rather happy about the change in duties, cos in this new division, I get to interact with people/coordinate things/go for meetings.

But I am feeling sad too. The feelings haven't exactly sunk in.
In this age where relationships are so temporal, I couldn't ask for more, having a bunch of really supportive colleagues whom I click with. The bunch of us 7, call ourselves the "fishes", cos our division is located behind a glass panel that makes it look as if we were within a fish tank. In the office we have the power puff gals, me and 2 other gals. I don't know if u find this childish, but I really enjoy everyone's company, and relationships really make work less dull. :) Wouldn't have gone through these mths/year without their love & support.

So thank you for the memories, if you are reading this right now!
I'm really glad we can go beyond colleagues to being good friends. I treasure the friendships a lot.

So as the year is coming to the end....I shall start first by paying a tribute to my lovely colleagues.

Thank God for such a nice working environment.

Thank God also for the change. Not sure how long more I could have continued with the work.

Thank God for a good boss who asked me to change division cos he is more concerned with a job scope that is fitting for me.

Thank God for the overseas comm service trip to Philippines. We are going to have evaluation/discussion/feedback next week, and I may have to share. Praying for favour, praying for wisdom, praying for open doors for next year.

Thank God for the Habitat team. Met 3 of them for lunch today with HY. Talked about pay cuts, talked about why they join Habitat...Hosea said there were always openings at Cambodia! Role in finance. Haha.....who knows maybe someday?

In the new year, I pray that the fires of compassion will continue to burn so deep in my heart. I pray for more passion. I pray that God will prepare me the whole of next year, make me strong for whatever journey that lies ahead.

Refresh me! [Written on Xmas day]

I didn't know I was so tired, but seemed like the whole year of work cumulated in a long long nap just now of 2.5 hours. ;) Feeling much more refreshed now, but think I may need more than a few more hours of rest!
Had nightmares of a choir rehearsal, leading some people, and trying to memorise songs. Felt the stress all over me in the dreams.

Came home at near 1am after some dinner and drinks with my Philippines team. Saw that my study table was in a mess with piles of stuffs that I had dumped on top. Unknowingly, stuffs, just kept piling up. Maybe I am spending too much time blogging! But anyhow the release of emotions thru my blogs always make me feel happier, and bring clarity to my mind.

I have to deal with those thick piles of reality. The Philippines trip is over. I think I need a few more days of rest and reflect.

How shall I even begin to summarise this whole year? Hmm...

Christmas service was good. Drama was fantastic. It was very intellectual and thought provoking in fact. Thankful that my colleague came. :)

Yesterday at dinner, the group talked abt Feng Shui, and I admantly said, I don't believe in Feng Shui! And I talked about how God was sovereign in our lives rather. And it became a Q&A session, where I had sort of an opportunity to explain more about christianity.

Will we miss the Reason for the Season

I like the christmasy mood of love, peace and goodwill.
This christmas, met up with a couple of really precious friends for meals. ;) There's good food, drinks and company. There's good christmas shopping with SALES all over the place.
But something seems to be missing...

Could it be, we are missing the true reason behind the season?

I don't need the steak
I don't need the xmas lights
I don't need the beer & champagne.

Had lunch with colleagues @ Outback Steak.....expensive meal.
Had dinner yest night at Clark Quay...food was so expensive! :S

What mattered was not the food....
it could jolly well have been at the hawker centre...

Eating char siew noodles with HY today was nice and warm. Did some shopping too. ;)
Watched Charlotte's Web. Er...have I grown up or the plot seems simplistic? ;)

Another gem of a song from Casting Crowns:

While You Were Sleeping

Oh little town of Bethlehem
Looks like another silent night
Above your deep and dreamless sleep
A giant star lights up the sky
And while you're lying in the dark
There shines an everlasting light
For the King has left His throne
And is sleeping in a manger tonight

Oh Bethlehem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
For God became a man
And stepped into your world today
Oh Bethlehem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

Oh little town of Jerusalem
Looks like another silent night
The Father gave His only Son
The Way, the Truth, the Life had came
But there was no room for Him in the world He came to save

Jerusalem, what you have missed while you were sleeping
The Savior of the world is dying on your cross today
Jerusalem, you will go down in history
As a city with no room for its King
While you were sleeping
While you were sleeping

United States of America
Looks like another silent night
As we're sung to sleep by philosophies
That save the trees and kill the children
And while we're lying in the dark
There's a shout heard 'cross the eastern sky
For the Bridegroom has returned
And has carried His bride away in the night

America, what will we miss while we are sleeping
Will Jesus come again
And leave us slumbering where we lay
America, will we go down in history
As a nation with no room for its King
Will we be sleeping
Will we be sleeping

-----------

Will we be sleeping?
Singapore, will you be shopping and eating?

Christmas Noise

Many bim bim and blinking lights this xmas! Christians and non-christians alike, celebrate this season. So many lunches, dinners, gatherings to celebrate the season. I wonder whether we really know the reason behind the season?

Can't really say no to the lunches and dinners. Tho this extravagant lifestyle somehow doesn't ressonate on the inside, yet I exist in a world and society which I must conform to. Maybe as long as I exist here in this environment, I must compromise on certain values.

Or can I choose not to?

Was encouraged at the GIC & MAS CF christmas party yesterday night, where I had the opportunity to share my testimony(http://journey-in-christ.blogspot.com/2006/12/testimony-on-unity.html). It didn't seem that much to me, but a few people came up to me and said they were v encouraged through my sharing. And I stepped back and saw clearly, how good God has been to me throughout this period. How gracious He has been to me. And not only that, I can now step back and understand that all I went through was for a reason, and it made me a much better person.

I know what I will like to do for myself. I will wanna spend my life with the person I love and serve the needy forever. Yet, at the end of the day, it is not about what I want. Things I don't like to do...I was "forced" to do...how beautiful those things turned out to be. From ashes into beauty. The sweet aroma that comes out of obedience. Like...staying >1.5 years in this company, but time flew. And amazingly...this time has been miraculous. The opening of doors to go on an overseas community trip...and how the team bonded together so well...how there are so many opportunities to share of God's love. How.....I don't feel adequate talking to very confident people, yet having opportunities to testify to them..and seeing God work in their lives and in mine.

Taguig City

Day 1
We reached Manila around 12pm, and faced our first "test" when we went through the customs, for the officer wanted to charge us taxes for the soft toys that we were bringing into the place. Ran out with CT to find Connie from Habitat so that she could come in with us to explain to the customs officer that those toys were for the ophanage. That was when I first met Jay, the Finance Director of Habitat Philippines, a friendly tall man whose house we were going to stay for the next few days. The officers refused to let him into the airport, but while waiting for Jay to come, the custom officers got tired and let our team go through anyway.

We had our first taste of Jollibee (aka Philippines version of MacDonalds/ KFC). Brought it back to our home in Paranaque City, where we were to stay for the next 6 days. Jay had refurnished 3 rooms with double decker beds. 4 of us stayed in one room with an attached bathroom. We had our orientation briefing at the house.


At ard 5pm, we set out to the SM Mall for some shopping and dinner. We took the jeepney- which is basically a US military vehicle that has been converted. The jeepneys in Manila are quite creatively decorated. :)




Didn't really like SM Mall as it resembled too much a shopping centre in Singapore's neighbourhood. Anyway we had quick bites here and there at the mall.

Day 2
At 730am, we made our way to the work site. We were to help in the construction of a block of housing that was 3 storey high, and each floor had 4 units of housing. These houses were built for the surrounding people who stayed in make shift houses now.


We had a short briefing from Edmund- the 23 year old engineer for the whole project. He has just finished his studies and was a volunteer for this project.
We formed a human chain to pass bricks. Was tough job manz....my arms almost broke. heh...;P And we self declared our own break. After lunch, we did glouting instead, which was to pour cement into the bricks to fill up the holes. This was a much easier and therapeutic task.

Dinner was at Market Market, a nice mall with lots of local food. I took a photo with Ving, our HFH coordinator.




Day 3
We visited the dumpsite @ Payatas and Salt Foundation. There was a stench at that area. Saw ple scavanging around the dump site ( a mountain of rubbish) for materials that they could pick up for sale. Visited a family and talked to a beneficiary of Salt Foundation. Saw many little kids running pass and in particular, one girl who looked barely 5 was craddling her sister who was a few mths old. What an incredible burden for a little girl like her.

Salt foundation was started by some Japanese. It mainly provides educational sponsorhips to children in that area as it believes that education is the way out of the slums. Most of the sponsors are from Japan. It also provides tuition to the kids in that area and teaches the women-folk how to do cross stitch as an alternative income source.

Just a few thoughts.. Ving said that some of the people there just did not want to move out of the dumpsite as they felt they could get a higher income versus getting a job outside. But I also wonder what sort of opportunities they have outside. At least here they have their community to fall back together. In a separate conversation, I asked Edmund (engineer) what he felt abt these people. He said some of them were just lazy, because his parents were also very poor people, but they worked very hard and managed to bring him and his siblings thru education. He doesn't believe he needs help from the government.



I believe if the government closes down the dump site, they must provide alternative income sources and retraining for the people there. Not only that, the people's mindset need to be renewed. Otherwise, they will just move on to other dumpsites in the city.

Had another half day of working at the site. We did sifting as well.

We went to Makati for dinner. There I was surprised to see how beautiful it was. It was even nicer than Singapore. Everyone was dressed up there. There were lots of pubs, restaurants and cafes there. It is such a big gap between this and the slums. : ( It reminded me a bit of Singapore. A few quick thoughts ran through my mind. While we are visiting our restaurants and cafes at orchard road or esplanade, there are the Singaporeans in the singaporean slums left behind. Who cares two hoots about them anyway? Do the richer philippinos care about those in the slums in Payatas? Makes me wonder also why we Singaporeans are going there to help whereas fellow philippinos can't be bothered? Also the thing about us building in the city instead of the rural areas....the city is where the income gap is the biggest.

After dinner at a chinese food joint (food was not exp and good), we walked ard looking for a pub with a live band. Drove out instead to another area where we settled into Strums. We had some beers and alcohol there and listened to the band which was pretty good. It was fun hanging out with the group. But part of me couldn't let my hair down, reminded of what we saw this morning.

Day 4
We did a city tour today in the rain.
At night as the rain fell, colleague said that typhoon hit again those areas at Philippines. It rained so heavily at our place too. I sent out text messages for prayers. Felt quite sad. Mixed feelings within me. Happy that the team was bonding together so well, but rather upset about the deaths and displacements of homes. Wonder what I am supposed to do?

Day 5
Build time was cancelled as rain was too heavy. :( And muddy fields was dangerous. So instead we went back to Market Market and did some shopping. In the afternoon, we went to the orphanage for street kids & abused kids. Some of them were quite attention seeking, some were reserved and reticent. I had fun playing with them and dancing with them. But time passed and we were to leave. Some of them shouted, pls come back tmr!!! During reflection, I told the team that there were many orphanages in Singapore as well, yups.....so when we are back, we can also volunteer at those. Shared about my experiences with the marginalised youths in Singapore and how they behaved in similar ways as those in Philippines. Insecure, reserved, but needing lots of care and concern.


Jay cooked Paella for us to eat tonight. It was quite yummy. And yup....I miss the taste of Paella.

Day 6
We did building today! HURRAH sun came out and smiled on us brightly. We had farewell program with the home owners ard 3 plus to 5ish. Btw, the interesting thing abt Habitat is that home owners gotto build their houses alongside volunteers. Which makes it unique. ;) Wished I had more time and interaction with them though. I could only remember Deanna. She held my hand and said thank you! Thank you! And smiled at me...she hugged me and gave me a kiss on my cheeks. Gave them my address and asked them to write to me.

Went to Bay Walk at night @ Manila City. Nice pubs/restuarants, next to the river. Edmund and Ving came along too!

Very mixed feelings about the whole trip. But it was good trip for me overall. Thought through many stuffs as well. I feel happy and ready to move on to 2007. I know there are lots more ahead for me. As long as the passion and compassion remains within me. But not just within me. But through Christ. To love them like Christ. Oh Lord, fill me with yr endless compassion...fill me with yr wisdom and anoint me with yr words. Very thankful for the verses in Isaiah....God has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. I kept asking myself, what is the good news for the poor that God wants to convey? I don't really know how to pray for them. Sometimes words fail me. Does anyone care? That's why the casting crown song makes so much sense to me. To hold their hand and to love them like Jesus- to carry them to Him- His burden is light.

Day 7
We left Philippines.
Sat along the window and watched the plane take flight. The clouds looked like cotton candy. The endless fields and seas looked minute up there. I wondered if that is how God saw us. Everything under the sun in His control. He gets the big picture. He knows what's going on.

My Prayer

I wrote this prayer on the plane as I was coming back from Phillipines.

Dear God, thank you for the safe trip we had. I'm thankful for your provision. Thank you for your affirmation too as a leader. It has been a fruitful time for me being in Philippines. More stark than anything is the income inequality in the land. Edmund says that some people are just lazy. God, I thank you for reminding me that there are various root causes to poverty. Lord, even as I say that I wish to help the poor, this is such a vague term and idea. There are so many other influences like the government, society and education. Give me wisdom in knowing what is my role in all these.

Thank you for the friendships that have been forged amongst us. Let the bonding remain and that you will bless the friendships. Bless the sharings that may come. Bless and grow those seeds that have been sown.

When I consider the heavens, what is man that You are mindful of Him? All the complaints about social injustice, inequality. I'm sure that You see it better than me. You know the cause and effect, everything must be so interlinked.

I liked holding Deanna's hand and am happy to be able to meet the needs of her, or the hand of the girl who was reserved, shy and withdrawn. I'm scared to venture into this field because I don't know if I'm emotionally capable or ready. I don't know if my parents will be angry with me or worried. I don't want to bear a bad testimony or stumble them. But if it must be, God, You will open the doors for me and soften their hearts. Increase their compassion for the poor and open their blinded eyes to see You and hear Your heartbeat.

Teach me not to be juvenile Lord, to be naive and overly trusting. But to be as wise as a serpant, yet harmelss as doves. To know whom to help, to be able to set proper boundaries, to be strong and secure in You.

Thank You Lord.
In Jesus Name I pray, amen.

I'm happy that the goals I set have been achieved, to see the team coming together, and the trip cumulating with the farewell program we had right at the end. During reflections, people shared about becoming more appreciative of Singapore, about how they are more aware of their lifestyle choices and habits. Even though it was too short a trip, and we built very little of the house, I think at the end of the day, we achieve what we set out to do, if we internalize what we have learnt, and share it with our friends and family members.

Someone from my team bought me a Casting Crowns CD. I really like this song:

Casting Crowns - Love Them Like Jesus

The love of her life is drifting away
They're losing the fight for another day
The life that she's known is falling apart
A fatherless home, a child's broken heart

You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You trying to make - sense of it all
She's desperate for hope, darkness clouding her view
She's looking to you

Just love her like Jesus, carry her to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves her and stay by her side
Love her like Jesus
Love her like Jesus

The gifts lie in wait, in a room painted blue
Little blessing from Heaven would be there soon
Hope fades in the night, blue skies turn to gray
As the little one slips away

You're holding her hand, you're straining for words
You're trying to make sense of it all
They're desperate for hope, darkness clouding their view
They're looking to you

Just love them like Jesus, carry them to Him
His yoke is easy, His burden is light
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus

Lord of all creation holds our lives in His hands
The God of all the nations holds our lives in His hands
The Rock of our salvation holds our lives in His hands
He cares for them just as He cares for you

So love them like Jesus, love them like Jesus
You don't need the answers to all of life's questions
Just know that He loves them and stay by their side
Love them like Jesus
Love them like Jesus

Leaving on a jet plane...

Hi guys and gals,

My dearest colleague got married yest at Hyatt Hotel. I was the receptionist with Agnes. It is really a very sweet and blessed thing to be able to find yr life partner and to settle down with him/her. Quite divine too I think. A foretaste of what marriage in heaven is like with the Father.

Travelled down Orchard road in Mark's car as he drove us home. And the shinning christmas lights were beautiful as ever. We drove past a few christmas trees, and I really like the one outside Paragon. What a beautiful night, thank you Lord for the festive season.

Christmas will always be beautiful. For the meaning behind it, the birth of Christ, and the hope & joy it brings with it.

The date is finally near, I will be leaving on this thursday to Taguig City @ Manila Metro, and will only be back on the 13th Dec! I'm so looking forward to the trip, but I am feeling physically very tired. Think it is due to lack of sleep, and have been feeling quite stressed out. :S So do pray for the team. There are a lot of deaths in Philippines due to the Typhoon, and I hope that we can be a blessing in that place.

Sadness and happiness juxtapose together in the same second. How blessed we are in Singapore- a nation without natural disasters. I pray our souls may be as beautiful as the christmas lights. For that truly is the reason behind the season.

Why I am a christian

Today's sermon on The Meaning of Christmas provoked many thoughts in me. I am reminded of the reasons why I am a christian.

I've been talking a lot about social causes in this blog. But why exactly am I so passionate about it?

Sometimes I think of asking non-christians why they are so passionate about social causes. Something stirs within their hearts? The desire for social justice to be done?

Perhaps those are part of the reason. But does this lead to feelings of defeat and depression? Unless u believe that justice & mercy are sovereign in the end, otherwise, u are fighting a lost cause. I've seen how people have become disillusioned and bitter by the sufferings of others.

Or perhaps, u believe in the temporal easing of suffering, and then when we pass away, we are no more, reduced to dust.

When I first converted to christianity, I wanted to talk to someone whenever I felt down or lost, hoping that the one up there will listen to me. However as 8 years passed, this relationship has developed and at the core of it all, I am a christian because I've been continuously touched by God's love.

The speaker shared today on the incarnation of Christ, how He came on earth, the most incredible thing had happened for God to become a man, so that He could relate to us. This was likened to Einstein becoming a worm, instead of the smart scientist and inventor that he was.

As the christmas season draws nearer, it cannot help but bring warm feelings to me, that Christ chose to become human to relate to us human beings. He came in all humility, not in pom, glory or trumpet sounds, but in a manger, as a human. As a human baby Jesus, being fed and changed, helpless like us. And surely, He understands our sufferings and what we go through much better than we think.

This thought touches my heart. And that really, is the true motivation behind my passion for social causes. This love that I believe Christ has for everyone, is available to anyone. A love that I have received, and the only response is with gratitude and thanksgiving, to share the same love with everyone.

He is the same Jesus who wept with compassion when He saw the lostness of men.

One of the most distinctive features of christianity is this personable relationship we claim to have with God. He is our Father and our friend. No other religion offers this personal relationship.

But He is not just a personal God, but also Holy & mighty, ruler of all the earth.

I know that I will burn myself loving others and doing good for others based on my sense of right and wrong. We can't give to others something that we don't have. We can't love others without the revelation of what true love is.

In Lord of the Rings, Gandalf dressed in white raises his shimmering white rod, and light shines out from his body. We as viewers look to him as the saviour of the show. The one with the power. We as human beings all look to something miraculous, someone that gives us hope. Whether God in whatever form, we pray for miracles in our most desperate times. And whenever Gandalf appears, he brings a calmness to his surroundings, we know that he will save the day.

I urge u to think about justice and sovereignity. Do u believe that these are present? They may be the only hope we have left for this world.

And then if u believe in justice, in what form would God come to you?

Appraised

I had a good appraisal with my boss today! He gave me a lot of positive feedback, i.e. I was bright, analytical, had good communication skills and was a good team player. :)
I've worked for about 1.5 years now. Working is different from studying cos there are no exams or assignments to help u grade yr performance. So this appraisal was really encouraging to me. A good end to the year 2006.
Don't think I've very good communication skills actually, and I have problems expressing myself at many times. But I do get along well with my colleagues, and I enjoy interacting with people across different divisions and departments as well. So it's pretty encouraging to know that even though some times I don't feel very confident, I still make people feel comfortable.

I really gotto pray about my job after today's appraisal. I'm so thankful for my boss that he cares more about us as individuals, and he is able to see how we all fit in the company. I am pleasantly surprised by the new opportunities for the coming year. But yes...I've to pray to see when it is time for me to move into more social stuffs.

Thur was interesting meeting up with Andrew & Wendy. Wendy is a lawyer, but she is active in fair trade, conservation, advocacy work etc. Hopefully rubbing shoulders with people who are socially interested will get me started somewhere as well. New ideas? New vision? Starting an organization or a project?

New things are also happening at Don's side. Not sure what are the concrete plans yet, but will be meeting him when I'm back from Manila. ;)Then he will share about the new ministries in china, to chinese youths in Singapore... Hope that I can play a part in that too.

Actually no harm really, another 2-3 more years at the corporate sector, doing social stuffs part time, establishing my social networks. And I'm sure God will lead me after this. Been praying really hard and telling God I wanna do social stuffs right now. Seems like He is opening doors for corporate side, and showing me that this season is not over yet. ;)

I can't help thinking of the man in the bible who planned his business and wanted to build a barn to store up his crops:
18 So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry." ' 20 But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.
Luke 12:18-21

How short life is...how vulnerable we are. And we must live the best we can be at every moment of our lives. Fully using it for His glory.