The Land of Anxious Toil  

Pastor Duck's Devotional 

Taiwan Church News 2639, September 29, 2002 

Translated by David Alexander 

Because the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) and the United Church of Papua New Guinea (UCPNG) are both members of the Council for World Mission (CWM), we are partners. In November of 2001 our general assembly sent two representatives to visit the UCPNG. When they arrived their hosts told them that PNG is sometimes called, "The Land of the Unexpected." What names do you think they could have used to describe Taiwan, the homeland of the PCT? 

For a long time in our history some people called us "Formosa". Then there were a few years when we were "Free China". Some years ago an international magazine suggested that R.O.C. stood for "Republic of Casino". Ever since God created Taiwan, this has been a "beautiful island". A few words from Psalm 127 suggest another possibility , "the land of anxious toil." 

Traditionally in Taiwan we greet each other asking, "have you eaten?" or "where are you going?" 

It is customary for Christians to extend the greeting "peace." But often we hear people asking "are you busy?" and responding "very, very busy." I have heard that it is even worse in America, where the people "don't have American people's time." 

Taiwan's people, "it is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil." For the Lord of the unexpected gives sleep to his beloved. 

Prayer: Lord of the unexpected, grant us rest. AMEN 

For more information: Pastor Duck <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>