The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is so interested in our lives that He has laid a solid foundation for a building that will last for eternity. That building is eternal life in God’s kingdom. While the foundation is laid for all who believe in Him, there is still some additional work to be done by each one as we carefully build on the life that God has given us.

In the building of our lives, we can invest in many materials: bricks, wood, stones and even precious metals like gold. We need to put in careful thought and effort in how we use these materials to develop ourselves. If we put in efforts of gold and steel, we will be able to build something strong, shiny and beautiful. If our efforts are careless and weak, perhaps resembling a material like straw, we might find that our building will collapse in the difficult times of stormy weather.

Each one of us, then, has to carefully consider what kinds of materials we want to use for the building of our lives. It is interesting to note that even for precious materials like gold, a refining fire of great heat has to be applied so that it can become pure and useful. Iron will become tough steel when treated with tremendous heat and carbon. Even mud, when baked in a furnace, hardens to become useful strong bricks.

Therefore, as we chose the materials for the construction of our lives, we should not be afraid of the difficult experiences that God places in our lives to refine those materials into stronger and more beautiful substances that will be of good use to God and society.

At PHS, we are in the business of building people. We hope to provide a safe and nurturing environment where each student can develop and grow to become strong and useful citizens in society. To do this, the School Management Board, chaplains, staff and teachers work hard together to provide special experiences to help students to refine his or her character and resolve, while at the same time develop vision, drive, passion and compassion.

Students, I hope that as you turn the pages of this edition of Harvest, you will recall both the nurturing and trying experiences in school that have contributed to your learning. Remember that you have a responsibility to put in great care and effort in the continual development of your body, mind and character. May you also cherish the love from your teachers and the friendships from your school friends as these are the cement that binds the materials together in the building of your life.

May God bless you.

Elder Dr Alexander Lee

1 Corinthians 3:10-13
But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.