Our life journey is a journey of searching for our family, a path that leads us back to our Father’s home. Jesus, as our most loving elder brother, took on the mission of bringing us, His long-lost brothers and sisters, back to our Heavenly Father and into His loving embrace.

Thus, Jesus Christ is the mediator between God and humanity, the bridge between this world and heaven. That is why Jesus says to us: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

In fact, the devil also plays the role of a bridge, but one that leads humanity to hell, the place of eternal punishment! The devil tempts us with worldly pleasures, riches, and honour, luring us to serve ourselves instead of God. It lures us to draw near to it and turn away from God.

In contrast, Jesus teaches us to serve God by serving our brothers and sisters around us. He calls us to embrace the crosses in our lives to sanctify ourselves and thus draw closer to God. Jesus teaches us to follow Him and take Him as our role model. Since Jesus is the perfect image of the Father, the more we learn from and follow Jesus, the more we will resemble our Heavenly Father.

On the other hand, the devil also wants us to follow it, to pursue and hoard earthly wealth, and to make worldly success our ultimate goal in life, in order to seek recognition and praise from others. The devil wants to bind us with wealth, honour, and power so that we cannot respond more freely to God’s invitation because we are unwilling to give up all our earthly possessions.

How can we pass through the narrow gate into God’s kingdom if we are weighed down by so many earthly possessions? In such a case, we are like the rich young man in the Gospel, who, after hearing Jesus’ words, left in sorrow because he had many possessions (cf. Mark 10:17-31).

Yet, Jesus gazes at us with love and says: "You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me." (Mark 10:21) Would we really want to see Jesus looking at us with longing, only to watch us walk away toward the devil?

As we reflected on the second day of our retreat, our earthly pilgrimage is both a journey from despair to hope and a spiritual battle that we must win.

However, we must know that this battle is not ultimately between us and the devil, but rather, the devil's attempt to challenge God. This is a battle where the outcome should be clear, because satan can never defeat the Almighty God. But what is being fought over in this battle is humanity itself. As God’s creation, we originally belong to Him. Unfortunately, due to our pride and selfishness, we often fail to choose God and instead align ourselves with the devil. God desires to "win" us over, not for His own gain, but purely for our greatest good, so that we may be with Him forever. In contrast, the devil seeks to "win" us not out of love, but to destroy us and, in doing so, strike at God. The devil aims to cause God the greatest suffering by leading His beloved children away from Him.

If we remain undecided, refusing to commit to God’s camp, failing to follow Jesus and to be led by Him, or simply delaying our decisions, we risk weakening God’s camp in this battle in which the Almighty God were supposed to win, and we are the weakest link in God's camp.

Reflection

Are you willing to see God’s camp become the loser because of your wrong choices, and that God is mocked and hurt by the devil as a result?

What obstacles in your life prevent you from choosing God and staying in His camp, giving the devil the opportunity to hurt us and our Heavenly Father?

To walk the path God desires for you, are you willing to accept Jesus’ invitation to let go of worldly wealth, take up your cross, and follow Him?

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, today You have made me see clearly that I have been the main cause of Your suffering and sorrow. Not only have I failed to choose You in my life, but my pride and stubbornness have also led me to follow the devil’s path, exposing You to satan’s ruthless attacks. This fills me with deep regret and sorrow.

I have not only disappointed You but also failed my loving elder brother, Jesus, who endured so much pain and humiliation for me. I have disregarded His earnest teachings and admonitions!

I need to open my eyes and see the truth! I refuse to be deceived and manipulated by the devil any longer. I will no longer allow it to sever the intimate father-child relationship I was supposed to have with You. I am determined to follow Jesus, to let Him lead me, and to live well the precious life You have given me, not by accumulating earthly wealth, but by seeking the treasures of heaven, especially my relationship with You.

Abba Father, once again, I say to You from my heart: I love You!

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The following is the “Farmer of Hearts: Finding Hope in God’s Kingdom” team, including FLL staff and volunteers.
Please kindly pray for them. May God protect them and sustain their physical, mental and spiritual well-being.

Writer: Paul Yeung
Project Manager: Michael Lam, Rosa Tse
Editors: Bonny Chan, Rosa Tse
English Editors: Bonny Chan, Paul Yeung
Mandarin Editor: Anthony X.
Cantonese Narrator: Margaret Woo
English Narrator: J. Johnson
Mandarin Narrator: C. Zhou
Audio Editors: Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee, Margaret Woo
YouTube Editors: Arnold Chan, Cyan Cheung, Sander Lee
Graphics: Francis Lai, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse
Website: Patricia Young, Angela Wong
Podcast: Angela Wong
Social Media: Yollie Leung, Carmen Tsang, Rosa Tse

Theme Music:

"3 MINUTES RELAXATION MUSIC | 4K Scenic View of Tuscany" by Introvert Pianist https://www.youtube.com/@introvertpianist

“Sea of Memory” by Aakash Gandhi https://www.youtube.com/@88keystoeuphoria