Amidst a sudden escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, I have returned to Hong Kong after a three-week absence in California, USA. During my flight back, I had the opportunity to watch a film titled "Invictus," directed by Clint Eastwood, the former mayor of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. The movie narrates the story of how President Nelson Mandela of South Africa and the national rugby team captain, François Pienaar, joined forces during the 1995 Rugby World Cup to unify a nation that had recently emerged from the shadow of apartheid and was on the brink of division. Their collaborative efforts galvanized the spirit of the people, ultimately leading to South Africa's victory in the World Cup. There is an ancient Chinese saying that goes, "Man proposes, but God disposes," and the notion that " Success lies in human hands" seems to contradict this age-old adage. However, the story of Mandela and the South African rugby team illustrates that when you approach a task with unwavering confidence and give it your all, even the God may align with you.
