202nd Reflection💬

“How to release ourselves from the chains of the world’s values❓”

Let go and follow the Lord to unearth the abundant values embedded within us.

…….

13/11/2021 (Sat) 19:00 Home

Class was over.

Student said, “Mr. Yip, how is your music studies?”

I said, “It’s now the start of the first year of my music composition studies.”

Student said, “I’ve got a secondary classmate that studied music as well after he left the secondary school.”

I said, “Great, compatriots.”

Student said, “He plays flute.”

I said, “Good. Flute sounds good.”

Student said, “He did his music studies in France, majoring in Flute.”

I said, “Smart, overseas studies.”

Student said, “He returned to Hong Kong upon graduation.”

I said, “How is he now?”

Student said, “He isn’t making much money now.”

I said, “Still OK. Flute is what he wants, just as I do in composition.”

Student said, “What? The first time I met you, you said you studied only for making money, didn’t you?”

I said, “I did say that?”

Student said, “You did. But you’ve now said it’s ok to go for what you want.”

I said, “Oh, then I’ve changed.”

……

Another me said, “How have you changed?”

I said, “I’ve changed from just chasing money to looking for something other than money.”

Another me said, “What is the something?”

I said, “It’s the abundant values embedded within me, those that I have to unearth together with the Lord.”

Another me said, “I want it too. But it costs you a handsome amount to unearth them. Are you now financially that strong?”

I said, “Not at all. Just enough to cover my living expenses and school fee.”

Another me said, “What values are you looking for, as financially weak as you are? You should seek money first!”

I said, “I’m now making money, but only the amount less than before. Some years later when I can compose good music, I may get the money back.”

Another me said, “Is it very easy to make money by composing? Easier than teaching flute? Easier than teaching music? Even the flutist that has completed his studies oversea can’t make much money!”

I said, “I don’t know. No one has yet asked for my composition so far.”

Another me said, “The flutist can still teach kids the instrument in some music centres. But your composition is like half-empty glass. Who would buy it?”

I said, “My composition is still some distance away from a half-full glass. But as long as I keep learning, I’ll have it half-filled.”

Another me said, “Suppose that you got your glass half-filled. Who would buy a half-empty glass?”

I said, “If nobody does, I can share it as a gift in the time being. As long as I keep writing and learning, some day I’ll have it filled up.”

Another me said, “So you’re self-sponsored? How long do you have to make yourself a sponsor?”

I said, “None of your business. I’m the one that pays for it.”

Another me said, “But isn’t time another cost you have to bear?”

I said, “So the Lord has guided to learning Logic to reduce the the time cost in composing. Now the Lord has even granted me work so that I can sponsor myself along my music learning.”

Another me said, “What kind of path is the Lord guiding you to right now?”

I said, “He’s guiding me to a path where I can unearth together with Him the abundant values embedded within me.”

Another me said, “What are those abundant values?”

I said, “One of the values revealed so far is the ability to express abstract feelings in concrete pitches and rhythms. The others are still unknown. They are something embedded, that I have to earth together with the Lord.”

Another me said, “Why on earth is something with abundant values worth little money?”

I said, “I said I don’t know yet. When I keep walking with Lord, He’ll show me when it’s time.”

Another me said, “You started learning composition at the age of 30 something. Not until what time will you have completed your learning?”

I said, “I said I don’t know yet.”

Another me said, “Is it very likely that you can make much money?”

I said, “Very unlikely.”

Another me said, “So it’s a waste.”

I said, “What you say is all about money.”

Another me said, “I just keep my feet on the ground, unlike you, such a Christian that has your feet off the ground.”

I said, “If I’d ever ignored the importance of money, I wouldn’t have worked in the first place. What I do is merely to make a little step forward to discover what the Lord’s prepared ahead whenever He meets my upcoming needs and shows me the next move.

Another me said, “Alas…”

I said, “You want to follow the Lord to unearth the abundant values embedded within you?”

Another me said, “Yes, but reality is reality. The reality is…”

I said, “The reality is, now that you stand holding tight what the world finds favour, how could you follow the Lord to unearth what He finds suits you the best?”