Just back from my Taiwan trip! Overall, it was a positive once in a lifetime experience. Thought it would be appropriate to share with y'all a journal entry I wrote there:
Sunday, 21st Nov 2010
Today ended on a sour note. Being the end of our two day outfield rehearsals for the upcoming ex. warrior, we were all exhausted and wanted to head back to camp for a well-deserved rest. But the unpleasant had to happen. While checking our equipment, one of us realised that a smoke grenade was missing.
Unlike in Singapore, being overseas meant that every bit of RAI (ammunition) had to be returned, even a common item like smoke. I knew we were in for quite a bit of trouble and hassle. Losing any equipment is a big no no! There was much debate as to where it could have been left behind, who threw it and so forth. I watched the entire scene unfold - my PC keeping quiet showing a face of discontent, while the appointed sect comds busy sorting things out.
The smoke grenade HAD to be retrieved from the field. Reluctantly, we loaded up the tonners again and headed back to the training grounds in search for the needle in the haystack. By then, it was getting dark. It was only 6plus in the evening, but here the day ends by around 5plus 6ish. You know it seemed to me like making a mountain out of a mole hill. I mean, it's just a harmless smoke grenade right? YET we would go all out to retrieve it, despite the fatigue, the darkness, the hassle of activating the vehicles and all.
Cut the story short, we did eventually recover the smoke. It was a timely reminder for all of us to not be complacent and to constantly and physically check equipments.
It sounded a little absurd that almost the whole platoon went on a hunt for a measly green bottle-sized canister containing smoke. But then I thought - is it really that crazy? Wouldn't you go all out for something that really mattered to you?
At that instant I was reminded of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for me. We are just like that smoke - small, insignificant, unworthy, but yet strangely precious. If we humans would go all out to find a precious item that went missing, how much more would our heavenly Father? Isn't it the craziest act in the entire universe that a God almighty would give His son just so that I could be found.. saved? I am just so so precious in His eyes - a million times more precious than a smoke is to the SAF. God wouldn't just let me go like that if I'm lost. And likewise, He wouldn't let you go missing too.
We can never escape the grip of His love, grace and mercy.. simply because WE MATTER SO SO MUCH TO HIM. And there's nothing we have to do to prove our worth - Jesus has proven it on the cross. Isn't that just such a beautiful and comforting thought?
The simple truth I learnt that day: If ever I was lost, God would go all out to draw me back into his arms, because He loves me too much to let me go just like that(:
If ever I was lost
You said that all You feel for me
Is undying love
That You showed me through the cross
I'll worship You my God
I'll worship You my God
I love You
I love You..
+PNG.png)
