What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Every word that comes from the mouth of God is the best advice I have ever received—for it is the bread of life (Matthew 4:4).
I often share Acts 16:31: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” This profound promise has been fulfilled in my family. Since I was saved, my parents and siblings have also come to faith in Jesus Christ. And I trust that His saving grace will extend to other members of my family, for God is faithful.
Scripture calls us to repentance and life transformation. Once one repents, a new life begins: the old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). The old flesh gives way to the Holy Spirit, who becomes the light of life.
As my life anchors in Christ, He is everything to me. My faith has humbled me, transforming me from sharpness to gentleness, from impatience to patience, and making me more forgiving even when I am willfully provoked.
In Him, I have learned that forgiveness is a powerful asset—it prevents wrongdoing and can even lead others to repentance. Jesus’ teaching is etched on my heart: “Your heavenly Father will forgive you only if you forgive other people” (Matthew 6:14–15). God forgives, and so will I. God forgets; I may not forget, but I hold no grudges.
Scripture—Acts 16:31–33—does not work automatically. It speaks of those who are the first to believe in the Lord Jesus, and by whose living testimony others in the household are drawn to Him.
In reality, faithfulness matters in all our dealings. But how can we tell who is genuinely trustworthy?
Many years ago, my secondary school teacher wrote in my graduation album: “Be observant.” I still hold fast to that counsel, which aligns with Scripture: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much” (Luke 16:10).
Yet the best advice is that which makes me wiser and points to eternal life—to be observant, not merely about people, but above all in all my dealings with God.
These reflections have given birth to the poem below.
—
✨Observing the Small✨
Observe others closely, and yourself observe—
Cause and effect return with certain curve.
The weight of weights is loyalty’s art—
How can a faithless mind hold fast a heart?
A good heart springs from youthful days;
All kindness grows through small, kind ways.
Be faithful in the smallest deed—
In greater tasks, that faith will lead.
One burst of zeal cannot endure—
To give up all is fate secure.
No youth who shuns the laboring strife
Can boast in age of a proud life.
Who fails to honour parents’ name
In age shall reap the selfsame shame.
O my soul, my soul, how long
Will you delay to right the wrong?
—
en yan hua fang 