An observation of the people going up the escalator in the MRT station. The people standing on the left will give way to those going up the right side of the escalator. The interesting part is the people walking up the right side. At first, they walk up quickly, then they stop when the escalator is several steps away. They will then wait till they reach the end of the escalator before walking off. This action, though no harm, caused the whole line behind him to have to stop. I was wondering what is so difficult to walk several more steps?

Then it occurred to me that is the way many people approach their work. They charge through the initial phrase with all gusto. When they come near the end, they tend to slow down very much. I guess they are already beginning to consider the next phase or project. This is dangerous as the last stretch, no matter how small, can trip you up. It is better to see through to the end before we stop to celebrate.

Pretty much is our spiritual life. Some of us are really enthusiastic when we first found Christ. We worship and serve God in the most fervent manner. As time goes on, we slowly take things for granted. Maybe a belief that we have already made it. Believing that our spiritual life is so good that we will be able to face up to anything thrown at us.

Think again my friends. King Hezekiah was a man after God almost all his life. Then he came to a point of death but was granted an extension of fifteen years because he was faithful. What happened? He turned away to worship other false gods and idols. Let that be a warning to us to fight till the very end. Do not let the guard down.

The easy way, as preached by the false teachers, is a very wide door. Many choose to go through that because following the true God seems so difficult. But Jesus did warn us to take the narrow door. Stay firm and fight the good fight. Finish the race with faithfulness and steadfastness. This is the example of our apostle Paul and a good example for us to follow.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我在地铁站观察人群乘搭电动扶梯向上走。站在扶梯左边的人会让路给从右边上去的人。有趣的是从右边向上走的人。起初他们走得很快，但当扶梯还剩下几步的距离，他们就会停下来。等来到扶梯的尽头，他们才会再继续行走.。这个动作虽然没有伤害性，但他后面整列的人也因此跟着停下。我猜想，多爬几步是有什么困难吗？

因此让我想到这也是很多人面对工作的方式。他们兴致勃勃地从开始的阶段冲刺，当接近终点的时候，他们就很明显的减缓下来。我猜想他们已经开始在思想下一个阶段或项目。这是很危险的，因为最后的阶段，无论多小，都可以将你绊倒。能够坚持到最后才停下来庆祝才是更好的。

我们的属灵生命也近乎如此。有些人在最初找到基督的时候是真的热忱。我们以最火热的态度敬拜及事奉上帝。时间过去了，我们逐渐把事情看成是理所当然的。或许我们相信自己已经作到了，也相信我们的属灵生命很好，以致我们能够面对投向我们的任何事物

再想想，我的朋友。希西家王是一生都跟随上帝的人。当他面对死亡的时候，却因为他的忠心而生命得以延续50年。之后呢？他转而去敬拜假神和偶像。让这成为我们的警戒，要争战到最后，不要放松警惕了。

就如假教师所传讲的，简单的途径就是一扇宽大的门。因为跟随上帝看来极为困难，很多人就选择通过这道门。但是耶稣也警戒我们要走窄路。要坚定并打美好的仗，以忠诚及坚持的心完成比赛。这是使徒保罗为我们所立下可效法的美好榜样。

上帝赐福,
在基督里服事的,

Barry Leong
（林秀娟会吏翻译）