Chinese New Year or Spring Festival is a time of blessings. Originally, it is a time of family gathering after the cold winter. It is a time for family consolidation before getting to farming again. It is a moment of thanksgiving, hope and renewal. We are to be grateful for the providence for us throughout the year. For the Lord says, “Then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumnיורה yoreh and spring rains מלקושׁ malqosh so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil”. (Deuteronomy 11.14). Spring is the beginning of the year whilst autumn is the end of the year, therefore, the promise of the LORD tells us that He will bestows His blessings throughout the year. We have to acknowledge that our intelligence, wisdom, health, opportunities are from Him. Hard work and responsible utilization of what we have received from our LORD are our best capitals. God’s providence denotes that He is intimately concerned for the sake of His people. It is God who will water the land. Our hard work alone is never enough. God’s interference is always needed.
His promise of providence so that we can work and being productive and most of all we will eat and be satisfied. How much is enough? Very often, there is no limit or standard to “enough” or “satisfied”. People just keep on accumulating to have “more”. It is interesting to notice how Indonesians use the word “lebih” (more). “I want to have more rice” (lebih banyak nasi). “My income is getting less” (penerimaanku jadi lebih kecil). The same word lebih can be used to express more and less. Presumably, it implicitly denotes the non-satisfaction of human beings that expect to “have more”.
Greediness is one of the characteristics of modern man. Happiness is determined by the fulfillment of needs whilst needs are determined by consumer-oriented marketing. “Satisfaction” is not known to us. Our desire is as deep as an endless pit beyond satisfaction. We keep on seeking unsatisfied “pleasure” and become a hedonist. Such self-interest motivates us to seek our own good. It is our common tendency to reject suffering and seek pleasure. Well, is it wrong to reject suffering? Certainly not! We are not foolish enough to seek suffering. Ironically, pleasures that people seek often come with suffering as the consequence. The Spring Festival is supposed to be a time of family reunion and thanksgiving before embarking on a new journey; however, unfortunately, it has gradually turned into a moment to stimulate more “greed”. Children are expecting more money from red packets whilst parents are feeling hurt giving away too much red packets. Instead of giving joyfully, people give reluctantly. They feel shame if they give too little but yet they feel sad if they give too much. What a dilemma! Therefore, much is expected from the god of fortune, hoping to receive abundant prosperity in the New Year.
The promise comes with a prerequisite. Abundance providence will be bestowed provided that they love Him and serve Him with all our heart and with all our soul. We are to be careful not be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them (Deut 11.16). Very often we turn away from the Provider of prosperity and worship “prosperity” itself. We submit and subdue ourselves to prosperity. What image are we creating for us to worship? Rabbit? Dragon? Some Malaysians who love animals were very grateful that dragons were not real. Because last year, the year of Rabbits, most people bought rabbits as pets and after the Chinese New Year was over, lots of rabbits were found abandoned by the irresponsible owners. Idols are not just visible items but also invisible images created by our minds. Idols are things and beliefs used to replace the Almighty God.
Spring Festival is a moment of thanksgiving, giving thanks to His abundant blessings. A moment to appreciate, to be grateful and to bless others – a time to share!
