Respect the differences

On one winter day, a group of 15 people from different countries and cultures walked from point A to B, where the sun decided to show up halfway through the journey. A Malaysian quickly reacted by taking out her umbrella, while some in the group got shocked and wonder what happened. Most of them looked up the sky and one or two asked if it is raining. I saw the whole incident and I couldn’t hold my laughter and laugh so badly that everyone looked at me. The Malaysian did not know why people had such reaction and did not understand why umbrella is needed when it is not raining and some think using the umbrella to avoid the sun is funny and ridiculous and some think that if it is not an umbrella, how are we going to avoid the UV.

Everyone has a different point of view about the sun, the usage of the umbrella and what is good or bad for their skin. We all have a different point of view. The Malaysian might not be able to understand in their lifetime why some people love the sun so much. The westerners might not understand why the Malaysian need to avoid the sun. I do not think it is an issue of right or wrong or who's ideas and reasons are more supreme than the others. It is just personal preferences, cultures and customs.

You don’t need to accept other’s preferences, cultures and customs or make others accept yours. Respect each other’s preferences, cultures and customs, even though if the other Malaysian decided to use a transparent umbrella.

We might not be able to understand why one decided to react the way they do, but we can only respect that, it is for their own good.  Yes.  It might sound selfish, but we are an individual self, which we decide to do certain things for our own best.  For whatever culture and customer believe, for whatever situation it is.  Stop judging.  Respect others. 

-Respect the differences - 

The Godly Lawyer

When I first using the name, "the Godly lawyer", I received many comments about the name.  Many are of the opinions that it is impossible that lawyer to be Godly.  That saying was in my mind for the past 15 years at least.  During this period of time, often I find myself pondering over what Godly lawyer means.  Is that about the character of the lawyer, the ability of the lawyer or how prestigious the lawyer is?  To be honest, there's no absolute answer to that definition of 'godly'.  Why am I using that name, "the Godly lawyer"?

First, it is a challenge to myself that, I need to be reminded that, I am a lawyer today because of God.  There's no way that I become a lawyer because of my own ability.  For those who know me for years, you know that it is a miracle that I am a lawyer today and no one, including my mother in her wildest imagination, will believe that I am a lawyer today.  

Secondly, as a lawyer, I know it will always be challenged to be more like Him whenever I am in this profession.  People can never associate lawyer with the servant of God.  People think to uphold justice has great chances that we are of the 'black' side, trying to help criminals, trying to lie and make sure justice is not done. This understanding consists of general or the majority of people in the world.  The lawyers always standing in oppose to police and prosecution.  The lawyers always stand as the one who challenges the police and the prosecution.  That's what people understand the work of lawyers.  It is impossible to be like Jesus when you are a lawyer.  That's what people think. I do not blame the world or how people perceive lawyers. We, the lawyers are only an advocate.  Just like Jesus, who submit our prayers to the Most High.  As lawyers, we only submit our client's petitions and prayers to the Judge and I want to be reminded that, when I submit the petition and prayers to the Judge, I should do it like how Jesus is doing, that is without fabrication or tempering of evidence, speak the truth, submit the truth, get the judgment the truth.  Therefore, I advise my clients accordingly, with truth and love, that if they have done wrong, I make sure they are warned of their possible judgment and consequences.  Making sure that they are ready for their punishment.  If it is for them to get their justice, I will make sure that the Judge hears and understand my client's cries and make the fair and just decision. This is my calling and how a Godly lawyer should be.  

Thirdly, the world perceives lawyers as rich and famous.  They are of different level of reputation in society.  They are accessible only by a certain group of people, who usually also rich and famous.  Many say that lawsuits or litigation matters are rich man games.  I have to agree because in my practices, I met a few rich people who 'invested' in lawyers, high-class lawyers, trying to win the lawsuits, not because of compensation, not because of damages and losses, but for their face.  They are alright to spend millions and billions just so that they WIN the suitcase, for winning sake and not for any relief.    Lawyer to them is just a tool. For me, I do not want to be a lawyer who is just a tool for rich people.  I want to be a lawyer for those who are oppressed and for those who need help, even though they are unable to pay as much as those rich people.  I can be respected and known by many in the 'rich people world' and submitting their prayers a petition for them.  But it would be more meaningful for me in my practice when I am able to submit the petition and prayers of those who are poor to the Judge so their voice is heard too.  Everyone deserves to be heard and it shouldn't be only available for those who can pay or who is rich.  Like Jesus who is the son of God.  He rather being born in a manger, grew up as a carpenter and he is now seated in the right hand of the Father, be our advocate, regardless of whether we are rich or poor, as long as you want Him to be your advocate, He is there advocating for us.  That's my calling, the calling of the Godly lawyer.  

Because of my calling and focus to be a Godly Lawyer, I have met tremendous challenges which not many can understand.  First, I will not get paid for the job most of the time.  Secondly, I have been doing things the way which not everyone understands why I am doing it because to many people, things can be less challenging and I can guarantee to have a better lifestyle and wealth if I am doing what the rest of the lawyers are doing.   Thirdly, for how and what I need to do, I will have to do it alone because being a Godly Lawyer, I do not have the luxury, the reputation, the wealth and the respect that every other lawyer are getting.  Many who joint my firm, left because they realised that, I am not running a business.  Stick around with me will means, being a poor lawyer (both in wealth and in reputation).  

It explained why my office is operating in a very run-down house in a residential area.  My service is available to everyone, regardless of your backgrounds, your age, your race.  Just let me know, "How can I help"?

Is that easy to be Godly lawyer? No.  It's not.  Never is.  Most of the time,  I get mocking and complains and gossips, and discouragement instead of praise and a pat on the shoulder.  I understand that not everyone can understand what I am doing.  Most of the people measures me by the worldly ruler. I am judged.  I am criticized.  I am not being appreciated.  But, for whatever that is worth, I will still be a Godly Lawyer and hold on to what my calling is, be it the world look at me and laughed at my stupidity and irrationalism.  

Lord, this calling is too challenging, but not impossible to accomplished by Your help.  Help me to continue to be the Godly Lawyer and may all the glory be to you and you alone.  

So, is it possible to be Godly lawyer? Well, it's all about whether you are able to focus on God while you are being a lawyer or you wish to focus on yourself and how much you and enjoy in life. 

- the Godly Lawyer - 

#IcanonlyaccomplishthecallingofGodifHeiswithme 

#Ihavebeenblessed

#Iamthechosenlawyer

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#theGodlyLawyer

Our desire v God’s Will

“Conflict comes because our own selfish desires are not being met. James uses strong language; we might think he is being over the top—after all, we don’t literally kill one another. But as James’ older brother (Jesus) once pointed out (Matthew 5:21-22), we do not need to kill in order to commit a form of murder.”  “ Christians allowing these desires to erupt into conflict are forgetting God’s grace: “You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2b). Prayerlessness is a sign that someone is trying to run things in their own strength, for their own sake, and under their own authority. Prayerlessness arises from a sense of independence from God—so that instead of praying about our desires, we indulge them. Rather than trusting in the Father, who delights in giving good gifts to his children (Matthew 7:11), we ourselves decide what is good and seek to gain it through our own efforts. As well as forgetting the grace of God, James’ readers also forget the goodness of God: “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures” (James 4:3).” [Sam Allberry - James for you].  

I was to continue my reading on other books in the Bible after I finished Colossians, but I was drawn to read James instead.  There’s no accident that I study James these few days because apart from being reminded about how much we can be manipulated by the evil spirit to think that our own desire is what God is to fulfilled for us when we asked prayerfully, I am also being reminded that, at the end of the day, we should focus on whether it is His Will that our desire is to be fulfilled and whether our desire is part of His Will that He has planned and predestined for us.  

James also reminded me about not being a double-minded and when I read Chapter 4 about being adulterous, i thought, that’s irrelevant to me.  But that’s exactly who I am.  On one hand, i said I love God, but at the other hand, I love the world, i desire for the world things and having the lack of it, I actually blamed God for not loving me.  It sounds ridiculous, but in fact, it is just how all adulterous is.  I have came across many couples who went into divorce in my work.  Most of them who were being said to have committed adulterous will turned around and blame the other party for not being good enough, not being able to fulfilled their selfish desire and wishes instead, as if because of that, they have all the rights to commit adultery.  Just like us, when we are facing God and being caught of committed ‘adultery’ towards God.  We blamed Him for not fulfilling the desires of our hearts and that’s the reason why we left Him and we try to seek our own desires by our own efforts.  Just like Abraham and Sarai who think that they need to take that human sensible part to ‘help’ God in fulfilling His promise.  

Over the past one month, I have been in deep thoughts over this issue with a friend, who desire so much to be in relationship and/or marriage.  Her situation is understandable and there’s so much grounds and basis that we can think of to justify that needs and desires and yet, the question we stopped at was whether that’s what God want or just what we want.  My doubt came clear when I started with James Chapter 4 and being said I am an adulterous.  Well, of course to my friend, she said she’s not clear as to whether she is taking things to her own hand because God works in mysterious ways and He might just send a man into her life through all sorts of ways. Well, I agreed, but so as the evil spirit.  To me, seek His kingdom first will probably a good start. 

The desire of the world.  That covered a huge areas of issues in our life.  Chapter 4 in James also talked about whether it is our own desires (including your freedom of speech, freedom of religion, human rights, democracy) that make us started our quarrel with each other? When Jesus says, “Love your neighbour as yourself”, is neighbour consist of people in China or US , the black, the whites, those who hurts you and those who blesses you? Those whom you dislike and hates? Those who are not christians?  Or because of our desires for freedom, we can disowned His command and starting to kill others? Yes, Kill, as what James said when he referred to when he talked about being angry with your brothers and sisters.  

The world is in chaos.  Everyone is attacking everyone, all put their own desires as priority and grounds to vent their angers toward others.  Is that mean, we disobey His command? and if so, can we still call ourselves Christian or God’s children? 

I leave it to you to answer the above.  For now, i see the sin I committed, I grieve, mourn and wail over it.  Lord, have mercy and grace upon me. I hoping that He will forgive me for looking at my own desire greater than anyone’s else, especially His. Lord, thanks for the reminders.  

- Our desire v God’s Will -