Enter by the narrow gate for wide the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Masuklah melalui pintu yang sesak itu, karena lebarlah pintu dan luaslah jalan yg menuju kepada Kebinasaan, dan byk org yg masuk melaluinya; karena sesaklah pintu dan sempitlah jalan yg menuju Kepada kehidupan, dan sedikit org yg mendapatinya ( Mathew 7: 13-14 ).
Dear students, teachers and staff,
We live in a competitive world which offers comfort and speed, starting from goods and services that can all be made and done easily and quickly. Although we have a lot of alternatives to choose, we tend to choose the fastest and most comfortable one. When we want to shop, we can do it on line. When we want to eat pizza or burger, we can just telephone and our order will be delivered in less than an hour. Many things, if not to say almost everything can be done easily and swiftly.
We have to realise, however, that certain kinds of comfort can as well destroy both our mentality and faith. Of course doing things easier and faster is not always wrong but when we have the attitude of wanting everything to be done fast, by taking shortcuts in a wrong way, then we have jeopordized both our mentality and faith. Quite many people are fond of taking shortcuts. They say : if we have the chance to cheat, why should we study hard? If we can live a rich life by corrupting, why should we be honest but still live a hard life? If we can litter freely without being fined, why should we put ourselves in trouble to search for the garbage bin to throw the rubbish? If we can still continue our way without being caught by the policeman when the traffic light is red, why should we wait for the green light before we can proceed? If we can go home earlier without being known by our leaders or teachers, why should we be patient and wait until the bell rings?
Dear students, teachers and staff,
Al Gore the nobel pize winner in climate field and a former vice president of America during his visit in Jakarta, ten days ago on January 9, 2011, in front of a number of ministers, members of house of representatives,
Businessmen, mass media editors, and NGO members, at Shangri-la Hotel, said ; I always remember the message from my teacher when I was a little kid. My teacher said that in our life, we only need to answer one question whether we will choose the difficult right ( hal benar yg sulit) or the easy wrong ( hal salah yg mudah ). It is the same question for us in coping with climate crisis. We need some courage/bravery in making our choice to overcome the complicated problem in climate crisis that can risk the lives of mandkind, said al Gore.
My brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,
The same question is also asked to all of us now whether we will choose the difficult right or
The easy wrong in coping with problems in lives. Of course, the choice is all at our hands but let me just remind you that
Psalm 14:12 in the old tastement says that there are some people considering the way is straight, but it is
Actually leading you to death. Let us now contemplate, if we are on our trip and arrive
At a three junction. One way is narrow, bumpy,and muddy but this is leading you to your destination. The other way is wide, soft and convenient but is actually taking you to a steep
Cliff. My simple question is which way will you take? Well, we need some courage and patience to proclaim the difficult right. May God the almighty bless you the wisdom in making your choice. Amen.
(by Hermanus Malo Dona)