Once Bitten Twice Shy

The idiom "Once Bitten Twice Shy" means when someone has been hurt once, he or she would do everything to avoid getting hurt again by the same person. While most people rarely had that experience because of once bitten twice shy, this attitude is highly contrary to the biblical command to forgive 70 times seven times. It is implicit in the command that we do not banish those who had hurt us far far away so that they could not inflict another pain. Otherwise, how else would we have the chance to offer repeat forgiveness?

Unforgiving attitude is the underlying reason for the practice of one bitten, twice shy. The true measure of a forgiving heart is the willingness to expose ourselves over and over again to the offending party even with the awareness of the possibility of another injury. It is a tough order to follow. But then remember, our redeemer paid a high price for the forgiveness of our sins which we commit over and over again. As we were given so many second chances, let's commit to give others equal measure of second chances beginning from this holy week.

Evaluating a Ministry

How do we evaluate the value of a ministry? This is a question many christians and churches struggle with. Many resort to measuring only the things that are countable which include cost effectiveness, numerical growth of attendance, number of new converts, number of newly baptized member, growth in offering taking, and many more. When a ministry is not meeting the numerical expectation, support is withdrawn and the future of the ministry is in jeopardy.

In serving Christ, it is human to look at only what can be measured and judge the worth of ones service in the number. The work of the holy spirit often is intrinsic in nature, and it is highly private in nature. People don't always shout out when they receive spiritual blessings; therefore the work of the spirit is difficult to measure.

Does that mean time and resources continue to be expended in the absence of visible results? Decisions have to be entered in prayerfully. But for those of us who are experiencing apparent doldrum in the areas we are serving, take heart. Our faithfulness does not go unnoticed in God's eye. The number may not adds up. Support may be withdrawn. As long as we are confident we are doing God's work, the time and resources we spent is not wasted. People may think us a fool. But "God is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose" (Jim Elliot).

Name Dropping and Connection

Name dropping is the practice of mentioning names of important figures in a conversation for a variety of purpose which include to establish one's status, superiority, credibility, authority, and connection. When you are new in a social circle, often the easiest way to gain entry is to mention that you know or you are related to so and so to establish some common association. It is that "guan xi" or "koneksi" element essential in Asian society.

The important of connection is not just an Asian phenomena. In the Victorian England, it is very important also to have connection in high places to get things done or to gain the acquaintance of "atas" people. In the modern US, the lobbyist industry is also hinged on this same concept. The lobbyists essentially are selling their connection with policy makers in the Senate/Congress so that industry players can be connected with policy makers important to their businesses.

When I started to join GKY Singapore, I was determined that I wanted to be known as who I was and not who I was connected to. In the process, I have gained true friends who see me as a person and who take interest to find out who I am. However, there were a number of occasions (only rarely fortunately) where people became more interested in me only after it was revealed that I was related to so and so. On two occasions happened recently, friends dropped a name into the conversation in a bid to rescue me from being brushed off by another party. I guess the church is not immune to this.

In a community of believers, it should be enough that we are all connected to one another in Christ. In fact, that should be the one thing we want to establish first when we meet people: that we are believers of Jesus Christ. Further, people should take interest in other people so that we can support one another, and pray for each other.