A few of us were looking at a stretch of water. On the surface it looked absolute tranquil. It was so peaceful and calming. It made some of them want to jump in and swim a little. As a person formerly trained to look at the sea, I warned them of the very strong undercurrent there. It was probably strong enough to drag even strong swimmers under water and swept away. Furthermore, there were probably crocodiles in those areas. So, we threw a small slab of meat into the waters and true enough a crocodile suddenly emerged and gobbled up the piece of meat. Well, that was a close call.

We really do not know what lurks beneath the calm surface. Everything will look perfect if we are careless about the possible dangers. Especially for people staying in Singapore for too long. Our government had done their job well in implementing law and order. It is too safe a place where people are desensitized to the perils around. What’s worse is that we take that approach and apply it when we go, or intend to go, to another country. You may think that a contract will be honored by the law and people here, but it may not be so elsewhere. That is probably why people from some other nations often call people in Singapore naive. WE also depend too much on local news instead of finding out more ourselves. There are only that much that the local news, no matter how efficient and unbiased, can inform you. You have to make your own research and judgment. Let others call you a fool if they want but make your own decision and do not waver if you are really convinced that you are right.

Scripture tells us that the world will only become worse morally and spiritually. The money that you had accumulated is nothing but glorified “I owe you” notes. Someday they will just tumble down. Do what’s right and start to lay treasures in heaven. The real good works that we can do is to bring Christ to those who has yet to know Him. Work while it is still day, for night is coming when no one can work.

Brothers and sisters, be wise and alert for the time may be shorter than we think.

God bless,
In Christ’s service,

Barry Leong

我们几个人在观看着一片水，从水的表面上看，绝对是平静的。一切都那么安静和平稳，甚至有的人还想下水游泳。身为一个曾经受过海事训练的人，我警告他们底下正隐藏着非常强劲的暗流，其强度甚至足以将游泳高手拖入水中并冲走。再者，此地区也可能有鳄鱼出没。于是，我们将一小块肉扔进水里，果然一只鳄鱼突然出现并将那块肉吞噬了。这真的是太惊险了。

我们确实无法知道在平静的表面下潜伏了什么。当我们忽视了可能存在的危险，一切看起来就会是很完美的，尤其是长时间居住在新加坡的人。我们的政府在执行法律和秩序上已经作得很好了。这是个极其安全的地方，以致人民对周遭的危机也麻木了。更糟糕的是，无论我们到哪里，将要去哪里，或到另一个国家，我们依然是采取和应用同样的态度。你或许会认为这里的法律和人民会履行所签署的合约，但其实在别处却未必如此。这也可能解释了为什么一些国家的人经常会认为在新加坡的人是无知的。我们自己也过于依赖本地新闻而不去自行寻找更多的资料。无论多么有效和公正，本地新闻能为你提供的就是这么有限。你必须自己作研究和判断。倘若有人称你为傻子，就任由他们吧，但你要自己作决定，并且在确信自己无误的时候就不再动摇。

圣经告诉我们，世界在道德和属灵上会越来越堕落。你所积攒的钱财也是虚无的，也只不过是一张印刷精美的借据。总有一天，他们会垮下来。要作对的事并开始积攒财宝在天。我们真正能作的善行就是把基督带到还未信主的人面前。趁着白日做工，因为黑夜将到，就没有人能做工了。

弟兄姐妹，要作智慧人，要警觉时间可能要比我们所想像的更短促。

上帝赐福，
在基督里同工的，

Barry Leong