ESL Writing Exercise

When God works through sinners, the author of the work is apparent.

To do good with good intention requires knowledge of the truth. It is also an obligation to do good with good intention. Therefore, to know the truth is not matter of intelligence, it is an obligation to know the truth. At times, because of arrogance and pride of our intellect, the prerequisite for us to understand the truth becomes sophisticated. A simple man is obedient to the truth, and so he knows what is good and simply do what is good. In other words, he is like a child. It is also sensible that since to do good is an obligation, it should not require us to have extraordinary intellect. Truth requires no justification nor rationale. Though reason and logic delights the mind, they delights only when consumed with an ordered appetite. From humility comes wisdom. From purity of heart comes vision of the truth without the clouds of sophistication.

Red autumn leaves fall from branches as blood drops from veins Song birds sings the parting song, a song of death and birth As the nocturne fades, trees become naked The leaves which fell become the memory, the foundation, also the nourishment of a new birth Comes winter, a season of harsh chill, and violent death As men enter into forceful solitude The world embrace its darkness in reflection Sees a giant, which is itself, slumber underneath a blanket of snow Only to be set ablaze silently by the morning sun A terrible glare which is the tongue of fire By the same light begins to reveal what has been buried And brings forth what is dead to alive

Being persistent for something is good only if the something is good. To insist on anything that lacks goodness is to commit idolatry. And if my stubbornness is so severe that I have to be forced to the right path, this violation of my will is really a blessing. There are many paths to reach a goal, but there is only one path to reach the goal for me. To achieve goodness, aim for its entirety, with my entirety. A destination is not the middle of a road. Therefore, we must not aim to reach only half way to the goal instead of the ultimate goal in the name of balance. If I commit to something which I cannot devote the entirety of myself to, is this something really what I should be committing to? There is no such thing as loving scrupulously. The false balance is an excuse for mediocrity. The true balance keeps lateral balance on the road of wholehearted pursue of perfection.

It is too often that I am too occupied with thinking what can be done, instead of doing what needs to be done. Furthermore, what I think what can be is not necessarily good, or worse, is misleading. Beware of deceiver, but also careful not to be a deceiver. For it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea. So, focus on doing the minimum and do it right. Doing the minimum is nothing to boast about.

Carelessly leaving my door open unattended is a bad idea as I would have no idea who and what will go into my house. It seems obvious that if I have to leave it open, I better be watching. If the dwelling becomes corrupted, it would take tremendous effort to fix it. It makes sense that I should keep it clean and maintain proper discretion, so that it is a suitable place to stay. Furthermore, if this dwelling is suppose to be holy, then I better treat it with reverence, which implies prudence and discretion.

The many things that I have seen, experienced, and done, are utterly meaningless without God. With God, all things are meaningful. And like God, the littlest thing is precious. To me, the little and every moments of life is something to rejoice for.

God work in us to will and to work, so that we may glorify him and love him as He has loved himself. When our time comes, that we shall return to Him. We should become an offering, the offering which is ourselves. By our work, we hope that this offering is a good offering, that we may be holy at the end. A holy gift for the holy One. Jesus tells us that our work should be prudent. God has given us desire, but when we are called to give up and detach from earthly desire, we must be able to turn the desires to God alone. It is right that we have desire since without desire there is not sacrifice.  

I have traveled great length, spent great effort, as least I thought so, just to end up being idle at the destination. Things I wanted to say, no longer comes to mind. Things I wanted to do, I no longer desire. It is a resting place, I need not do nor say anything. In silence, there are no misunderstanding, no contempt. Be attentive to the maestro, for rests are long to count. Let him dictate, for his way is the only way. Then I can play along to his silent love song that lasts forever.