Living through the eyes of faith

1990's was Indonesian's badminton golden era. They played almost all of the match that involved Indonesian player on TV. When it comes to Thomas/Uber Cup (kinda like superbowl here in US or UEFA champions league in Europe) which Indonesian play as a team, the government forced all of TV station to air it live. That's how patriotic we are as a country and how proud we are of our badminton team. Among all player during one time, there's one Men Double's pair that almost every Indonesian knew their name attract me. Their name is Ricky/Rexy, the way the played is out of this world. They create a winning streak for 2 years, unbeatable. The best one is that the way the play really please the crowd, make us try to guessing (especially rexy) what kind of shot he'll pulled in the next rally. I admire Rexy the most since he's like the playmaker or the brain behind it. It's still fresh in my mind watching thomas cup 1996 with my families and how we shout In-Do-Ne-Sia, go down China or Malaysia (China and Malaysia both are big enemies of Indonesia in badminton).

8 years later, I find out that my favorite player was coaching Malaysian team and he's actually a Christian. I watched the match of final Asian Games 2006 where Indonesia playing against malaysian pair in men doubles. He's been disappointed many times by his students before, (he said they're lack of champion mentality). Plus the fact that the pair he guide is new pairing, a decision he make right before Asian games. Of course I'm rooting for my country but in the end Malaysia is the one winning the match. I'm super angry of course, it's never happen that Malaysian men doubles beat Indonesian in any final before (well sometimes it happen, I'm just exaggerating). But one thing I notice is that rexy keep praying through out the match and when  his students win the asian games gold medal. He say prayer before celebrate the winning =). Well it touches me because of his faith. Later, on the press conference he share his secret: "When nothings works, faith is the final solution." I can only said Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we walk by faith, not by sight"

lifes

The first time I learned to play badminton, what fascinated me the most is when people hit smash really hard and ends the rally. From there I build a mindset to learn how to hit as hard as I can to end the rally. If possible, one hit and it all ends. I realize that's where my problem relies on, to think that there's one quick solution for every problem. Just one hit and all done, but after I explore more into the game, I realize that it won't work all the time. I also won't grow and learn other aspect of the game.

That's the same thing with my life, I used to think that for every problem I just cried out to God and everything will be done in instant. But apparently I'm wrong,  after learning from Him many times. I learned that whenever one problem solved in instant, I didn't gained anything from it. I didn't learn something new. Lately, all of the storm coming in my life, heavier storm, tougher task and almost impossible object. There isn't anymore one hit and all problem finish. All that exist now is that problems keep occurring in life, some stayed for quite some time and throughout this time God teach me to keep strong. When problems solved in instant, I developed a security feeling for myself, it's no longer faith. But when I feel insecure for long time like right now (because of problems), I don't know where else I can stand other than God's promise. It's very tough to see through the eyes of faith since we can't see anything physically but one thing I learned is only believe in Him and sing praise. just like the song:

Praise you in the storms

By casting crowns

I was sure by now,God, that You would have reached down 

and wiped our tears away, 

stepped in and saved the day. 

But once again, I say amen 

and it's still raining 

as the thunder rolls 

I barely hear You whisper through the rain, 

"I'm with you"

and as Your mercy falls 

I raise my hands and praise 

the God who gives and takes away. 

Chorus: 

And I'll praise you in this storm 

and I will lift my hands 

for You are who You are 

no matter where I am 

and every tear I've cried 

You hold in your hand 

You never left my side 

and though my heart is torn 

I will praise You in this storm 

I remember when I stumbled in the wind 

You heard my cry to You

and raised me up again 

my strength is almost gone how can I carry on 

if I can't find You 

and as the thunder rolls 

I barely hear You whisper through the rain 

"I'm with you"

and as Your mercy falls 

I raise my hands and praise 

the God who gives and takes away 

I lift my eyes onto the hills 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth 

I lift my eyes onto the hills 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth 

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

stopped playing tournaments

Finally I've decided after quite some times. The badminton tournament I attend and the amount of training I've put is too much for me to handle. I said in the previous post that it's hard to balance my life and I've decided to just play badminton for fun. No Longer tournaments until I graduate and get my bachelors degree next may. It's quite though to make this decision especially since I just got a good MD partner (Merell). I know this news will make him disappointed but my decision is firm unless God said different things. I just want to concentrate doing school work and searching work, I don't want to waste time and money going to badminton tournament only for fun and no preparation, I like the challenge but some other priority comes up.

I won't say I don't have good time going to tournament, it has been fun to meet new people and hanging out with friends on the tournament. Cheering for them and sometimes giving them little tips during interval break. But this is life, all about choosing our own path and no regret =).

turning 21

There's some fact where we can't run from. Few days ago I attended one of my friend in west Lafayette 21st b'day. Few more days it'll be my other friends 21st bday, why suddenly I write post about this even though I attend a lot of 21st b'day ? Because all of them are in the same batch with me. Soon it'll be my turn, I always try to escape many times before by changing my birthday in Friendster or facebook so no one will realize it. The truth is I'm afraid to go forward, I'm afraid when my age is getting older, people expect me to be more mature. I still want to be kid inside of my heart, the year I like in college is my sophomore year. it's a perfect year for me, I have somebody who is one batch bellow me to bully (JK) but I also have senior who I can look into when I look for advice. But this year everything is changing, people start leaving and leave me behind in this place, I'm become one of the senior and I get irritated when people called me koko or koh or ko (older brother) .

God reminds me that I must go forward to enjoy more of his blessings, if I don't start taking responsibility and be more mature then I'll regret it later.People said that getting old is a must but getting mature is a choice, it's no longer time for me to hide and admit I'm old now (soon 21) . Still trying to understand a lot of things and definitely far from perfect. But I'll give my best in everything to reach His dreams inside me.

Picture from Indiana states games

Symbol of fair play

even when we lose we still congratulate our opponent and admit they're better than us for this time

Picture from Indiana states games

Copyright of Hery sugianto

picture from indiana states games

Me in action

Picture from Indiana states games

My partner merell in actions

Mental Power

What a tournament last Indiana States games. Me and Merell was playing in Men double's event because among all badminton disciplines that's the only one I can play. I still can remember very clear when the first time I trained badminton my coach tell me: "you're tall so you can become a good single player." After some session then suddenly he said: "U're more appropriate to become doubles player than singles player." The second one is actually not a very good word of encouragement since singles is what ppl considered as the most prestigious event in badminton. Well life goes one and I obeyed his advice, turns out it's mostly true and I can enjoy playing doubles more. We (me and merell) have target to become champions in this tournament or in our mother tongue known as "jaguh kampung" (local champions) but what to say we lost in the semifinal against our own friends golden and thanut. Kudos to their performance that is very stabile from the beginning to the end.

The most exciting moment is of course when we're losing the first set like 16-21 then on the second set we're behind like 4-11. That time I can only said to myself and merell, let's take every point one by one and don't think too much about winning or losing at this point. The result we chase them all the way from 7-15 to 13-18 to 17-20. Then finally we can equalize the point 20-20 and finally win the second set 28-26. What a comeback, you should see our face expression by that time, we do something that's almost impossible. Then on the 3rd set we have to be left behind 0-9 again and we try to do the same thing again, we chase all the way to 13-20 then 16-20 until I missed one simple net kill to give them victory. Well losing isn't my favorite's part but it's part of our life, they play much better than us and we have to admit it. I learned throughout the game that mental power is very important. To keep our mind steady and focus to our goal.

This semester has been very hard for me to balance my life. I left behind in a lot of things. One this I want to do is to keep focus on God and not on His gift or accessories. It's hard thing to keep praying every morning but I learned from last event that everything is possible with God as long as we keep His dreams in our vision =).