Ryu2.mind

My international cell group meeting tonight was the best I've had in a while. The leader was Joseph from Kenya, and he spoke out of Psalm 118. In reading it, there was a lot there to refresh me; for instance it probably provided -- at least in part -- the lyrics for at least four praise songs sung in most contemporary English-speaking chs.

But the zinger that I was reminded of was in these two verses...

"It is better than to take refuge in the L than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the L than to trust in princes." -- Psalm 118:8-9 (NIV).

Which caused me to remember something best expressed in Job:

"Can you fathom the mysteries of G? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens -- what can you do? They are deeper than the depths of the grave -- what can you know? " -- Job 11:8-9 (NIV).

The truism that I was reminded of is this: It is what we know that enables us to realize what we don't know. And, this application to our sp knowledge is unique compared to our Earthly pursuits in that we delight, rather than find uneasiness in said unknown.

We ought to learn about Him, His character, and His ways, so that empowered with what we know, we can realize what we don't know and trust Him and His provision all the more. And that trust, itself that purest basic expression of faith, is what gives us joy at the most abstract level.

On another note, after tonight, I'm glad to be slowly starting to see this group of people become my community here in SH (the one I can blog about, that is... ;) ) Twenty young adults, all committed believers -- representing 11 countries/regions on 5 continents... a chance to (somewhat) break out of the Asian-American xtian bubble that I was in since high school.

Moreover, I've been very blessed by the Africans at ch in general, and tonight's study just underscored it. While all the ws leaders seem solid, whenever I see a black guy up there setting up before service, I know that ws is going to be rocking. To GrXers going to Kenya this summer: I can tell you that if the folks you'll be working with there are a fraction of what the Africans here in Shanghai are like, prepare to be in for a treat and be seriously encouraged by their fervor! =)

Slowly but surely...