China 2015

20150809_1049_1367 秀全公园，花都区，广州. Singer in the park (Guangzhou)
Some say that multi-tasking isn't possible (or is it just men who can't do it?), but in the writings of John we are asked to do just that, when he records that we are to be in the world, but not of this world (John 17). I think that is pretty difficult, after flying all day and suddenly moving from a place with 15 degrees centigrade maximum temperature to a place with 30 degrees minimum temperature, and sleep only comes after a technicolor yawn before bed-time. At times like that, I feel pretty self-absorbed, and readily cast aside any concern for others. Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes in 'Life Together' that we can too easily take our own work too seriously, and by so doing think that helping others in small things would be an interruption to our own goals - disguised as a false 'holiness' . Like the Samaritan who passed by the fellow-traveller who had fallen to robbers, we need to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God, and expect those interruptions daily. So like this singer in the park, we can enjoy our activities, but still be ready to be interrupted by God's children! (1249 AEST, 1049 CST)
20150809_1211_1355 Dancing with the MiG-15. Park in Guangzhou
At the end of the summer break, new college and university students in China are engaged in compulsory military training. From my apartment, the sounds of the training, marching, drills and chanting fill the night-time air, and are heard again at the crack of dawn the next morning! Of late, the excitement and fervour of the young college graduates at training appears to have upped a notch, perhaps inspired by tales of the past, or territorial troubles of the present. For the all the excitement of the youth, I earnestly hope for the day when 'swords will be hammered into plough-blades, and spears into pruning knives.' Yet sometimes in my own life I am too eager to take up arms, sensing that the other party has a weaker position, and feeling that I have a 'righteous' cause to fight for. Even more so if I feel slighted by the 'other', having endured a night-time visit in my apartment by the boys-in-blue thanks to some self-seeking informant. But to be a child of God is not to demonstrate power at every opportunity, but to be a peacemaker. To be a full bearer and conduit of God's blessing requires a measure of patience and compassion for the 'other' which I fear will not come naturally, but can only come by being in heart-felt communion with God and the children of His creation.
20150809_0832_1347 morning in Guangzhou
20150809_1222_1360 fishing for guppies
park in Guangzhou, China