Family Heirloom

If you watch shows that depict stories of the early Chinese people in Malaysia, you will notice one common thing in most of that shows - the family heirloom. For some weird reason, I am under the impression that the heirloom is usually a jade bangle and the main character of the show usually inherits the heirloom. Of course, there is much more drama than just simply receiving the bangle and storing it, only to give it to the next generation 40 years later.

Or another thing that we all can relate to: inheriting the fortune of one who has passed on. Whether it is a Western or Eastern show, this is one theme that is often recurring - families fighting against one another over the division of the inheritance, jealousy towards other family members because they received more than them, etc. But taking the drama away from all these, inheritance is simple the passing down of something to the next generation. How much more precious the thing will be if it is a heirloom - something unique to the family that has been passed down from generations to generations and finally to you. The family heirloom now belongs to you.

As much as Christianity is a personal decision of the individual to follow Christ, the reverse is true as well. No, not the reverse in the sense that following Christ does not need a personal decision, but the reverse in the sense that there is one more element, and that is God choosing us to be His inheritance, as seen in Psalm 33:12: "How blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen to be his special possession." (Note that in Hebrew, the word for "possession" can also be translated "inheritance"). In other words, God sort of 'owns' us now. In this sense, we can no longer live anyhow we would like, but live exemplifying that God is in control of our lives - that we may be living testimonies of His love.

[Look out for ways that you can demonstrate God's love. Whether it is saying no to cigarettes or even clubbing with friends, use that opportunity to show that Christ is now in control of your life.]