red | Colourful Threads of Life

calliandra, powder puff tree

The colour red — reminds me of Chinese New Year, which coincidentally happens to be two days away. Almost everything relates to the Lunar New Year/ spring festival (春節) is in red, from the decorations with red tanglungs (lanterns), red peonies and red ornaments, red spring scrolls at the door, red fire crackers, red angpaus (red packets for monetary gift given to the children and single young folks), sweets and snacks in red packaging, red Chinese New Year cards to red nail varnish and the red clothes people wear during the celebration including in some extreme cases, red underwear!

In Chinese culture the colour red symbolises auspiciousness and is used in all joyous occasions in particular the celebration of the beginning of a brand new year.

dessert rose

The colour red — reminds me of the blood from my cut finger yesterday, the result of carelessness with a pair of very sharp scissors when opening a box of mandarins in the office to celebrate the around-the-corner Chinese New Year.

euphorbia milii, crown of thorns, christ’s thorn

The colour red — reminds me of the blood that Jesus had shed on the cross when He was nailed there, endured the pain and died for our sins. When I look down at my plastered thumb, I wonder what is a few drops of blood as compared to the blood of Jesus that was shed for you and for me so that we could be saved?

torch ginger

Reflection:
As one who celebrates the Chinese New Year, I get to reflect once more with the beginning of another New Year, just as the facilitator at our church mentioned last Sunday that if anyone who happened to fail to start the year well on 1 Jan 2015, here is another chance to do it right!

So what am I going to do differently now than just over a month ago?
I think I am going to take things slower especially with work so that I do not get burnt out before the first quarter of the year is out.
I will need to exercise more and eat healthier to re-energise and revitalise myself physically.
I will spend more quiet time with the Lord, have better discernment and await with anticipation to see where He is going to lead me this year in terms of serving Him.

Here is an early greetings to all who celebrate the Lunar New Year…
Happy and blessed Chinese New Year! 新年快樂，新年蒙恩﹗

辭舊歲數算神恩
迎新春靜思主愛

spicy jatropha, jatropha integerrima

Isaiah 40:30-31
³⁰Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
³¹but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.