erichao

Before I begin this blog post, let me explain myself and my recent endeavors towards whatever it is I’ve been striving for.

For those of you who know me well, I’ve never been the guy who enjoys reading or studying on his free time. Actually, I’ve achieved quite the opposite for my reputation.
Lately, God has been putting a lot of crazy thoughts in my head about my future and my purpose. He has placed in me a desire to build up an accretion of knowledge as well as working on my ability to articulate and be more incisive. Thus, I have embarked on an adventure of reading through dictionaries (sounds bad, i know), saving words that appeal to me, and learning them through application in everyday conversation and blogging.

So today, I’d like to introduce my few valuable readers to the blog topic known as A Diction Addiction. I will be blogging from time to time about specific words that strike me in personal ways.
*Please!!! If you are able to offer me your assistance by correcting my syntax if I have misused any words in any way, speak up! Through this experience, it is my desire to learn more and more each day by applying my diction correctly!

And as always, even these blogs will be centered on Jesus Jesus Jesus.

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A Diction Addiction
Deference |ˈdefərəns|
noun 
A Polite submission to another out of respect or courtesy

Wow, I really enjoy this word.

A lot of times I try to help guide younger brothers and sisters through a hardship or trial, it always seems so difficult to convey my inputs. In my mind, I’ve been through most of what they are going through, and it does not make any sense to me as to why they would not take my advice to heart! I’ve pondered on this particular matter for several years now, as being at Merced has given me many opportunities to be around people who are younger than me.

Is it pride? Is it because I get no respect from people? Is it possibly because everyone in this darn world is so haughty and headstrong that there is no room to submit yourself even to those who are older and more mature than you?

Looking into my own experiences, there have been FAR too many moments where mentors and brothers to me like Johnny Tsai, Eric Jung, or Hubert Sung have said things to me that I knew!

For example, I would join worship team for the second consecutive season and Johnny would persist to teach me the fundamentals of being a worshiper and extolling God through music. There have been so many times where I’ve been in a car with Eric Jung, ranting off about my issues about certain people, where all he responds with is, “as much as you are complaining about these people, how much are you praying for them?”. I remember numerous occasions where I would pitch my ideas to Hubert about home group activities, and he would question my intents and aspirations as if I knew nothing of the Bible.

“I KNOW!” I would respond.
“I KNOW”

And now that I am somewhat mature enough to pass down whatever little extent of knowledge and advice to others, those are the two words in the english language that I hate hearing the most.

Embrace Deference. Humble yourself before the midst of someone who deserves enough respect from you for you to sit there, shut up, and take it. (Even Especially if you know it already)

As I continue to grow in Christ; as I continue to mature, I find it easier and easier to show deference to those who deserve it. I have many amazing older brothers and sisters who look out for me and want the best for me. It would be beyond foolish of me to NOT take to heart the input they provide for me.