#69a Panmunjeom, south of the 38th parallel(27nov05)

‘For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord; walk as children of light..’
Ephesians 5:8

It was said that the old European colonial masters divided the spoils of Africa amongst themselves with a ruler and pencil. Much strife and grief today are still being played out as many who found themselves on the wrong side of not just the physical but cultural and emotional borders, are still trying to address and redress their grievances.

In more recent times, in the often shadow play of the so called‘good guys(capitalists) vs the ‘bad guys(communists) as epitomized by the James Bond movies, we have seen the rise of the Berlin Wall, the symbolic line between the old Soviet empire and the ‘free’ world as led by America.

The wall has come down in Europe, but at least in Asia, the vestiges of the Cold War divide is still very much in existence. The village of Panmunjeom, lying just South of the 38th Parallel, the line that divides North and South Korea, symbolizes this great divide. For the non-history geek, but avid film buff, the popular Korean series “Jewel in the Palace” was filmed on location near the 38th Parallel.

‘Lay aside all filthness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted Word’
James 1:21

As followers of Jesus Christ, God commands us to be Christ-like. We are like a bride being made immaculate, ready to welcome the return of Jesus Christ and to take our place in God’s kingdom.
But reality is often otherwise.

Have you ever felt like those deer that live on the stretch of lovely land skirting the 38th Parallel, a heavily mined no man’s land that has, thanks to the quirk of politics, allowed nature to flourish, without the destructive incursions of sinful men.

Yet, one wrong step could see yourself blown up to kingdom come, or worse, a wrong turn could see you end up on the either side of the border. Would you rather be a well-roasted deer served to the demi-gods of the North, or a well-priced one sold commercially in some fine dining restaurant in Seoul??

The world is sinful. Man is deceitful. Satan is mindful of your weaknesses. But God is graceful.

Some rather not know God, for it means giving up the things of the world.
Some think that God should know them, because they give up things of the world

It is not a question of choosing between the devil(as in things of the world) or the deep blue sea(this great expanse of nothingness)

If it is not a question of being on the right side of the border, would not then it be a question of staying on the border??

‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But He will answer, I do not know you or where you come from.’
Luke 13:25





‘…Behold to obey is better than sacrifice...’
1 Samuel 15:22

It is about
- focusing on God and seeking Him with all our heart and soul and mind, and acknowledging Him in all our ways.
-
Often, it means us going to places that we will never think of doing. It could also mean us doing things that we never ever imagined that we will or want to do.

‘…that the living may know that the Most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth to whosever He will…..’
Daniel 4:17

- Letting God be the light that leads us and the power that drives us.

‘Turn us again, O Lord God of host, cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved’
Psalm 80:19

Be like the wise men of old who faithfully followed the shining star that led them to the birthplace of Jesus Christ. They carried with them no maps, nor GPS, but simply, a trusting and obedient heart.


God Blesses

Eng Hieang