178th Reflection💬

“Is the Bible the manual for life❓”

Just a tiny part of it.

……

This is what I remember.

In 2008, the 2nd year in Hong Kong Institute of Education, I was conducting my practicum in a secondary school.

My colleague said, “I decided to retire.’

I said, “Why are you leaving?”

My colleague said, “For the early retirement scheme.”

I said, “Are you eligible?”

My colleague said, “Yes, I am.”

I said, “But you aren’t that old to retire.”

My colleague said, “There’s very glimpse prospect in teaching. Let’s quit.”

I said, “Why?”

My colleague said, “Teaching is already a sunset industry.”

I said, “Why is it a sunset industry?”

My colleague said, “People have got online. Whatever they don’t know, press the ‘search’ button and they’ll find it.”

I said, “So what if they find it?”

My colleague said, “Then they’ll no longer need to find teachers.”

......

Another me said, “It’s 2021. The sun should already have long set. Are you still teaching?”

I said, “Yes, there’re still rooms to teach.’

Another me said, “People have got online. Whatever they don’t know, press the ‘search’ button and they’ll find it. Right?”

I said, “Yes.”

Another me said, “There is still someone asking you to teach?”

I said, “Yes. They aren’t seeking books.”

Another me said, “Not books, so what are they seeking?”

I said, “They want a teacher. They’re looking to me for translation and English.”

.......

Another me said, “I’ve decided not to follow Jesus.”

I said, “Why not?”

Another me said, “Jesus is a sunset belief.”

I said, “Why is Jesus a sunset belief?”

Another me said, “The Bible is the manual for life. It provides all the guidelines needed for our lives. The whole book is now uploaded online. If I come across any problem in my life, simply press the ‘search’ button and I’ll find it.”

I said, “So what if you find it?”

Another me said, “Then I’ll no longer need to follow Jesus.”

I said, “I made my commitment to following Jesus in 2009 and got baptized in 2012.”

Another me said, “Why do you still follow Jesus? The Bible’s got all the directions for life. Just search it online, and you’ll find it.”

I said, “But I’m not seeking the Book.”

Another me said, “Not the Book, so what are you seeking?”

I said, “I’m seeking God. I want to follow Jesus.”

Another me said, “The Bible’s already the manual for life. It provides all the guidelines needed for our lives. What else are you seeking? Why are you still following Jesus?”

I said, “Stop confining His purposes on the Bible.”

Another me said, “No, I don’t.”

I said, “Yes, you do. The Bible isn’t the manual for life of your own!”

Another me said, “I know. God loves our neighbours. The Bible is the manual for the life also of my neighbours.”

I said, “You’re still confining His purposes on the Bible！”

Another me said, “I know. God loves all of us. The Bible is the manual for the lives even of the world.”

I said, “Shut up. I’m sick of hearing anymore how you confine His purposes on the Bible.”

Another me said, “Confine, confine, what else is the Bible written for?”

I said, “God writes the Bible, more to reveal Himself to us and show us how to build a relationship with Him and our neighbours than as the manual for life.”

Another me said, “I know that. I didn’t say the Bible is only as the manual for life.”

I said, “You know that? Why, with the life manual in hand, do you discard relationship?”

Another me said, “No, I don’t mean that!”

I said, “You don’t mean that? Why, with the Bible on the net, do you leave Jesus?”

......

Translator: A church brother