The Prodigal Son & The Kite Runner

It has been a rather stressful 2 weeks at work and with the start of my Certificate of Islamic Law course last week. One of the ways for me to destress (other than driving around aimlessly or I would rather call it a "joyride") is to watch movies. Yes, eating is also one of the ways but I am on a DIET (hehehe... yar, right...).

Last weekend I watched "An Empress and her Warriors" (I think that is the title). It was a good show. Kind like the fighting scene but most of all, I like the cinematography.It is quite well done especially the war scenes. But of course, I have to say that (no offence to the Director), the battle scene in Lord of The Rings was so much better.... very well orchestrated.

I have watched 2 movies this weekend... I told you I am really strezzzz... Anyway, I watched "The Forbidden Kingdom" yesterday (Saturday). Eh... not much to comment because there were no story line but the fighting scenes were very good. After all, I am truly a fan of Jackie Chan and Jet Li. I will watch (try to) any movies they are acting in... =))

And yes... now I am coming to the part of my so-called "teaching" for myself (and hopefully to anyone who reads this... and who understands my writings)this weekend. The movie "The Kite Runner"... highly recommendable to watch. I have the book here with me now... and the person whom I borrowed the book from, cried when she read it and well... she was not touched by the movie. She said that the movie does not really do the book justice. So, I would recommend that you watch the movie first and then read the book.

Let me just rewind the day's event just a bit... I was in church this morning and the preacher was Pastor Jin Leong and he was teaching on Prayer and Fasting. I have to admit (confession)that I could not concentrate as I was kinda tired and sleepy. However, Pastor Jin Leong being Pastor Jin Leong... he ended his sermon with a painting by Rembrandt (I think... seriously, I don't have the head for details... signs of old age) depicting the return of the Prodigal Son. And Pastor Jin Leong being Pastor Jin Leong (again) had played 2 beautiful and moving songs one of which is "The Father's Song". I can't recall his whole sermon but his last part... I could recall because somehow it reflects the true longing of my heart and soul and mind. The longing to be in God's presence... and not only being in His presence but resting in His bosom with Him caressing me and hugging me... and ensuring me that He is there... He has not left my side at all. I left church without meeting that longing of my heart and my soul and my mind... because... I have chosen subconsciously (or unconsciously) to remain as the Prodigal Son who refused to return to his father's home.

Of course, I left church for lunch with 2 girlfriends and thereafter met up with 2 other friends for the movie... with the longing tuck very deeply at the back of my mind.

The Kite Runner... this is my analogy or summary of the movie... it's a story about 2friends. Both have sworn to love and to protect each other. It's not a romantic love... but brotherly love. One of them is born to a noble family (named Amir) while the other a servant to that family (named Hassan). Hassan has great loyalty towards Amir... and Amir seem to have professed the same. The only difference is that Hassan has the courage to walk the act... while Amir, more of a lip service. Amir is not devious... he's just lack the courage to display his loyalty.

To cut the whole story short... Hassan was beaten and battered and sodomised... all for the sake of his unwavering loyalty towards Amir... meanwhile Amir watched what had happened from a corner silently. Hassan did not complain. He did not mind the injustice and the immoral act which was done to him. He did not even relate the incident to anyone, not even his father. Not even Amir (whom, he did not know, was there when the battering took place. He continued to love and to protect Amir. Amir on the other hand, pretended he did not see the cruelty done to Hassan... and because of the guilt (for not coming to Hassan's rescue) drove Hassan away. * Something to note here : do not let sin dwell in our hearts. Sins left unattended may turn toxic... and lead us to destroy that which are beautiful... like in this case, the friendsip between Amir and Hassan.

Anyway, the village which they were living in was later invaded by the Russians and Amir and his father had to run away... they ended up in the US. One day, Amir received a call from a family friend (who loved Amir like his own son) to ask him to return home. He was hesistant but in the end he went home anyway. He went home to pick up the pieces which was left behind so many years ago. He went home to face the shadows of his past. He went home to redeem himself. He went home to find himself. I have to agree with Spencer that the most touching part of the movie is the part where Amir stepped into the mosque in Pakistan... probably for the 1st time in many years... and there he met his Allah face to face... broken and contrite heart... and at last being freed from the secret sins which was buried so deep in his heart soul and mind... all toxins removed. He was indeed redeemed and made whole again. He was given a chance to make a u-turn

*Note : Our Father in heaven calls us to go home to him... just like the Prodigal Son. We may be going to church every weekend. Attend CG every week. Even read the bible everyday. Everyone knows that we are Christians. We are serving in ministry(ies). But are we truly home? Home... in His presence... not only in His presence... but resting in His bosom... are we at that level of intimacy which are meant for between a father and his child?

Many of us are like Amir when it comes to our faith. Amir who would hide in a corner and watched our faith being torn apart bit by bit. It is too difficult, we say. The principles in the Bible are too hard to follow. Too impractical. Not relevant at all at this modern times.

Few are like Hassan. Unwavering loyalty. Would rather suffer shame and injustice than allowing the faith to be criticised. Would stand up for the faith despite the damaging consequences to ourselves. Who would say, It is ok... as long as Jesus gets the credit He deserves... as long as God's name is not tarnished... who would rather die for the faith.

Yes... I have this longing, deep longing to be home. No excuse... no more do I want to delay my return. Who am I without God? What do I have without God's presence? What do I gain by chasing after my dreams... and the desires of my heart? I have achieved my dreams... and given the desires of my heart... but I lost my friendship with God... indeed I have lost it all. Everything else is meaningless without God's friendship. I want to have and practice that unwavering loyalty towards my God, my Lord and King. I am really a long way to practice what I preach here.

Oh dear Lord, please forgive me for turning back on You. Please be gracious and merciful towards your servant here. Please receive me home just like the father in the Prodigal Son... I want to return home to Your side... be in Your presence... resting in Your bosom... with You caressing me and hugging me... and to hear You assuring me of Your love and that You will always be by my side. Father, I pledge my unwavering loyalty to You. I will probably fail countless times in practising this... But Father I know as long as I am home with You, I know, in and through Your strength, I will remain loyal and will courageously defend my faith in You till my last breath on earth. Please help me dear Lord, I pray. Amen