The Serpent and the Dove

Hello! Hello! It's 49 minutes before the sunrise and I can't wait to complete my assignment! There is so much I need to accomplish for the next two weeks. Hmm... let's start with some food for thought: Jesus said be cunning as serpents and innocent as doves, as he is sending us as sheep among wolves (Matt 10.16).

Wait! Did he just said to be LIKE the Serpents and Doves... in the same sentence??? Don't those two animals symbolise two opposing moral stances? Interesting.

Well, here's what I can say in a short time: The two respective qualities of the serpent and the dove complement each other. You can be cunning and wise but not living righteous in God's sight; You can be "innocent" and get trampled on by others.

According to G. K. Chesterton, a man can't congratulate himself as innocent in avoiding a wild party life, if he lives on a deserted island. In other words, innocence involve choice. When we are placed in a world filled with wolves, we are expected to be wise in our actions yet CHOOSE to remain righteous in the midst of the chaos.

This thought relates to what I've learnt during FOCUS team. We have to be smart in how we present the Gospel, yet do so innocently. Dear Lord, I need help. I can be so caught up with my pride till I forgot how to truly love someone. Let's start our day with the words of the Teacher.

The two respective qualities of the serpent and the dove complement each other.