What Is Life To You?

We live in a world where everyone is out to achieve their own personal dreams and ambitions. It's all about what you have done, what you have achieved, what cars you drive and how many people know you or about you. It's a competitive world out there. People look at you and judge you by your achievements and looks. If you are pleasant looking, they like you, if you don't look beautiful or sexy or hot, you become an outcast. If you are pretty, guys all line up to bring you out for dinner, if you are not, go dig your own grave. I am being realistic here. That's the world MOST of us live in. That's the world I live in now that I am in involved in the arts, media and entertainment industry. If you have a talent, people like you, if you don't, you struggle to have one to join the group.

They live each day thinking about how to earn money, and when that's done, they think about how to earn even more money. By doing so, their lives are all filled with agendas, meetings and events after events. It's a cycle. You wake up, you get ready for a day full of meetings, you end it by bringing different girls out for dinner (if you are a girl, you wait for guys to ask you out). It's a cycle. You close one deal, you seek to make another. It's all about me, myself and I. That's the reality.

But I know I am called to live a life different from what I have seen and been in.

I am called to live a life of purpose. Not just any purpose but one that is above all purpose, self achievements and personal gain.

It's ironic.

I am called to lose my life so I can find it.

I am called to give up so I can win.

I am called to let go so I am let in.

I am called to be still in the midst of chaos.

I am called to be the salt.

I am called to be the light.

I am called to die so I can live.

After all that has been done and achieved, one question still remains, "What does it matter?"

Does it matter what car you drive?

Does it matter what clothes you wear?

Does it matter how famous you are?

Does it matter how much you have achieved so far?

Really, what does it matter?

What is life to you? Is it all about being more successful than the "others". Is it all about achieving your personal goals? Is it all about being praised and looked up to? Is it all about having all the fun you can get while you are alive?

Really, what is life to you?

I know what is life to me and I know what matters. I am on a personal journey to work these both out and bring them into completion. Until the day comes, expect surprises. I am Zlwin Chew, a follower of Jesus Christ.

"Happy are you whose work is ministry. Blessed are you when your reward is less on earth for doing what matters! Keep your eyes on the Lord!" - Pastor John Beh.

If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. - Jesus Christ. (Matthew 16:24)

I must die in order to live. Go figure.

I Am A Revolutionist.

Last night I was watching this movie, Bodyguards and Assassins, which was released about a year ago. The movie was based on the historical story of the uprising and revolution to overthrow the corrupted Qing Dynasty, which was the last dynasty in China. The whole movie was based on the revolution. Dr. Sun Yat-sen was coming to Hong Kong and his arrival and safety is of utmost importance. In the movie, the Qing Dynasty sent a whole lot of assassins to assassinate Dr. Sun when he arrives. And Li Yu-tang, a businessman and important figure who provided money to empower the revolution took the heavy task of organizing a team of bodyguards to protect Dr. Sun. Dr. Sun Yat-sen is a strong political figure and a powerful revolutionist. He was the pioneer of Nationalist China, the man who started and fueled the revolution against the Qing Dynasty. That was the main reason the Dynasty wanted him assassinated. He came to Hong Kong because he wanted to meet up with the Tongmenghui, a secret society and underground resistance of the revolution. This meeting was very important because after this, the many leaders will go back to their respective places and start the uprising. If Dr. Sun was killed, the revolution might not happen. The movie showed how the bodyguards (all from various walks of life, some rickshaw pullers, some farmers, some street people, some from wealthy families, etc) sacrificed their lives for one cause – to keep Dr. Sun safe so the revolution could start. The assassins were all over the city, each group well organized and positioned to attack Dr. Sun’s entourage while they travelled through the city to meet up in a secret location. In the end, all the bodyguards died… but not in vain. Dr. Sun managed to finish his meeting with the Tongmenghui and left Hong Kong safely. In the next few months, the revolution started everywhere. Finally, the Qing Dynasty saw its fall.

Dr. Sun quoted, “Revolution is blood.”

“Revolution requires blood and sacrifice.”

I couldn’t agree more with this statement. Each and every revolution that happened in history, be it good or bad, requires blood and sacrifice. People die for a cause, for a country, for a nation. Soldiers give up their lives and families for a greater and higher calling. Revolutionists stay underground, planning and planning, waiting for the right time, then they rise up altogether in an organized revolution and start revolting, shedding blood whenever necessary.

2000 years ago. The greatest Revolution of all time started with one Person – Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth to turn it upside down and inside out. He came with a higher purpose and calling, he came to give up his life, to shed his blood and to sacrifice himself for the world.

Jesus came to start a Revolution. And it has started.

We Christians are Revolutionists. We revolt against the systems of the world that contradicts God’s Word and Laws. We revolt against murder, corruption, injustice and everything evil. We are called to sacrifice, maybe not blood at the time being, but to sacrifice our time, our resources, everything that is necessary to make this revolution a success. We are called to share God’s love and grace to all who have not heard of it before. We are called to rise up against the things that are not of God. We are called to be different, to be radicals, to be strong and courageous. We are called to REVOLT.

You are a Revolutionist. What are you sacrificing for the Revolution? What are you willing to give up and do in order to see the Kingdom taking Sovereign Rule one day?

Revolutionists fear not the government, they don’t fear the dynasty that is ruling, they are bold and brave because they know whatever they are doing is the right thing. They live among the people but they are different from the rest. They blend into the society and hide, and when the right time comes, they rise up altogether and start revolting. They are willing to give up anything that comes in the way of the revolution. They are loyal to the cause of the revolution and nothing could move them. Divided, they are weak and powerless. United, they can conquer and move mountains and even shape the world map.

Revolutionists live to fight and they die to win.

I am a Christ Revolutionist.

Who are you?

John 18:36
Jesus said, "My Kingdom is not of this world... My Kingdom is from another place."

Philippians 3:20
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

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I Have A Sinister Plan

This blog of mine has been with me for many years now. It is like my personal journal of my life's happenings and also a very good place for me to feed upon God's Word. When I blog, I not only talk to my readers, I am actually talking to myself too. As if a mirror was placed in front of me, I write and I tell myself things.

Now life has changed pretty much for me. It does not take an expert to see how I have moved on from the Zlwin then to the Zlwin now. Let's just say, the Zlwin now is more "worldly"?

I am pretty sure many of you out there must be keeping a close watch on my life and what I have been doing, where I have been going and where I will be going. Am sure many of you want to ask me why do I do this and that. Feel free to approach me anytime but don't judge me just yet. If you want to, judge wisely.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23
Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel.

I am "cursed" to be radical in nature and in everything I do. I want to be different. I think inside the box, because everyone thinks out of it. I want to be outstanding and be loud. And I am sure many of you out there are just like me too.

I am radical. And that is why I do what I do and go where I go.

And I fear not of what people think or say or speak about me.

In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Paul speaks about him being like a chameleon, to change his skin color according to the environment he is in. There is nothing much I can decode from the verse that you have not already decoded if you read it well and understand it carefully. He is telling us that if we want to share the Gospel to a certain group of people, we must become "like" them. Not to be one with them or be them but to be like them. There is a fine line between both, care that you do not blur it.

I choose to be loud. The louder you get, the more influence you will have. The louder you are, the more people can hear you.

I have a plan. I have a "sinister" plan. And I am working this plan out. The process will be long and lonely. Many will not travel with me where I am going. Many will dream of travelling but they cannot. Many who has travelled this road has never come back. Many who travel this road with a solid plan in hand finds that the plan backfires at them. But. I have a plan. And I will work this plan out. I welcome people who has the faith and courage and boldness and strength to come on board with me.

While at it, I will have a lot of fun along the way.

And I have given the key to a few trusted individuals in my life to come into the pits and pull me out if ever I fail to stick to the plan.

I am still the Zlwin you knew years ago. Only better.

To Jesus be the Glory, forever and ever. Amen!

Romans 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

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There's Gotta Be More To Life!

No, I will not remain silent! Am still going on and going strong. Nothing will take me off my mission that I am so aware of. Nothing will stop me from fulfilling my higher calling!

I know.

There's Gotta Be More To Life!

This song by Stacie Orrico never fails to inspire me. Even though it may not be termed to be a Christian song, but it has so much more Christian values and thinking and lyrics in it than many other Christian songs.

I have not gone, I have not strayed. If I do, I will be back, stronger than ever!

March onwards, Christian soldiers!

A higher calling awaits!

In Christ Alone,
Zlwin Chew

What Are You Fighting For?

There are many things in life we can fight for. We fight for love, we fight for a good cause, we fight for hate, we fight for courage, we fight for redemption, and the list goes on.

But we all have only this much, or this little, of energy within us. The resources at our expense are limited. We only have this much of time, this much of energy, this much of potential, this much of strength.

And with all that, we are fighting for so many things.

I wonder how much more we can achieve if we were to use all those things in us and those things we have to fight for but one thing.

1 Timothy 6:12

Fight the good fight of the faith.

This year I have many plans and many goals and many things to fight for. But I will seek the Will of the One above and fight for only one.

What about you?

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All Authority Given

Last Saturday night we had a gathering for the youth leaders of Grace Assembly in Sherrene’s house. It was a fun night with them bunch of energetic souls. Grace Youth Camp 2009 was a blast and they all did what they thought was best for their group and members.

As I was looking at them, I thank God that he was still in the midst of us, touching individuals through the lives of the older leaders. I thank God that we can still inspire them and spur them to move forward and growing deeper in God.

Everyone is called to lead in one way or another. Everyone have the potential to be influential in their own specific ways. But not everyone wants to rise up to take the challenge to be a leader that leads people to God. I don’t blame them; it is not an easy task.

This world is crying out for people who are willing to take their stand in their faith. We are in need of people who are daring to voice out louder than all the other voices around. The world desires people who will do things in a different light.

Comes the age old question, “Whom shall I send?”

And we know the age old answer, “Here I am. Send me.”

To really tell God, “Here I am. Send me.” takes much courage, boldness and strength, not forgetting to mention sacrifices as well. God will send you out like sheep among wolves but rest assure that He will shepherd you through.

If only we could really mean what we say…

I believe, like dough, God is slowly working in the lives of a few individuals who will one day be big and blow up loud. He is slowly stirring the lives of this young generation to rise up to take their rightful place in their territory. The devil may have big plans, but God has bigger ones.

I want to be included in God’s plans. But I have to deny myself, take up my cross and follow Him. Will you do just that?

The theme for the church this year is “Power to Empower Completely”.

Matthew 28:18-20
Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

All authority.

In heaven and on earth.

Has been given to Jesus.

Wow.

So what are you waiting for?

No one can tell you, “No, you can’t share Jesus here.”

No one can stop you.

Because Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go!”