Servant Leadership: The Basin & the Towel Ministry

The Great Famine in Ireland

'In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus Christ himself said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive." ' Acts 20:35

A Singapore Straits Times article (ST 22 June 2012), quoted Chen Show Mao, then a Singapore Member of Parliament, "The substance of servant leadership is about putting people at the centre of policies. The style is persuading people to come along. You no longer can say, look I am the leader, follow me. You are the leader but you’re also a servant."

Similarly, Singapore's Prime Minister, Lee Hsien Loong reminded MPs of their responsibility to uphold the spirit of service to the people and work hard on their behalf. (ST 28 May 2011)

These days, politicians and bureaucrats tend to make decisions based on the hard and cold statistics of gross national products as measures of growth and success. Over time, such decision making processes can become models for what is considered good for the country without paying due consideration for the real needs of the citizens.

We should learn from history. One example of the callous righteousness of decision making was the handling of the Potato Blight and Great Famine in Ireland by the government of Great Britain in the mid-19th Century.

The British government of the day failed the Irish people miserably. Great Famine relief decisions were based on prevailing economic and governance theories without regard and consideration for humanitarian needs. Historians reported that in 1846 to 1852 the new administration headed by John Russell of the Whig party applied their “laissez-faire” theory of minimal government intervention.

At a time of an unprecedented national catastrophe, the political wisdom shifted from governmental relief intervention towards leaving the crisis to evolve naturally, to be influenced by 'market forces'. Saving the starving was not the government's job but that of local landlords and that of charities. The Whig government withheld food and relief works, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without any work, money or food.

Some people even justified their inactions by promoting the view that the famine was the result of divine judgment - an act of Providence. A leading exponent of this belief was Sir Charles Trevelyan, the British civil servant who was chiefly responsible for administering the Irish relief policy throughout the famine years. In his book, The Irish Crisis, published in 1848, Trevelyan implied the famine to be a sharp but effective remedy to the 'Irish problem' of Great Britain.

During the famine, approximately 1 million people died and a million more emigrated from Ireland. The government could be more gracious and merciful in the making of crucial political and economic decisions. Perhaps, the scale and magnitude of the disaster and misery could have been averted.

On 1 June 1977, a different leader Prime Minister Tony Blair issued a statement that some have taken to be an apology 150 years later. He acknowledged the "deep scars left by the events of the Great Famine that began in 1845; that one million people should have died in what was then part of the richest, most powerful nation in the world is something that still causes pain as we reflect on it today. Those who governed in London at that time failed their people through standing by while a crop failure turned into a massive human tragedy."

Today, more than ever before, countries need leaders who will consider the dignity of the people when deciding what is good for the country.

Jesus Christ spoke of the need for humility in leaders towards followers. Masters should know how to respect servants rather than lord over them. Leaders should serve the followers. He taught and demonstrated this by the washing of His disciples’ feet.

“He poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:5, 12-16

These are the attributes of humility and servitude that characterise servant leadership. Instead of being a slogan to be used during times of election, servant leadership should become a guiding principle for current and future leaders - the leaders of countries, corporations and churches.

There is an example that all who are called to be leaders especially church leaders can follow, Jesus Christ, the 'Servant King.'

From Heaven, You came helpless babe

Entered our world, your glory veiled

Not to be served but to serve

And give Your life that we might live

This is our God, The Servant King

He calls us now to follow Him

To bring our lives as a daily offering

Of worship to The Servant King

There in the garden of tears

My heavy load he chose to bear

His heart with sorrow was torn

"Yet not My will but Yours", He said

Come see His hands and His feet

The scars that speak of sacrifice

Hands that flung stars into space

To cruel nails surrendered

So let us learn how to serve

And in our lives enthrone Him

Each other's needs to prefer

For it is Christ we're serving

This is our God, The Servant King

He calls us now to follow Him

To bring our lives as a daily offering

Of worship to The Servant King

Lionel

Updated 1st Published 27 June 2012

Make God Discoverable

Les Eclarieurs Lighthouse in the Beagle Channel, Tiera del Fuego

 

'In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.' Matthew 5:16

Do you know that we are to make God discoverable? This was the central message I received from the sermon by Rob Watkins, a fellow passenger, entertainer ventriloquist and an evangelist, at an Inter-denominational Worship Service onboard the Sapphire Princess cruise ship on 22 January 2023. We were enroute to Antarctica.

Rob Watkins shared that he realised God can be discovered in 3 ways

• General revelation. This is through the beauty of God's creation and the wonders of Nature. All of the Christian 'seafarers' at the worship service are waiting to be confronted by the wonders of the Antarctica, its landscape and the fauna of the Southern Ocean. Have you ever experienced, standing before the Niagara Falls or at edge of the Grand Canyon, the overwhelming sense of the presence of God?

• Special revelation. Jesus Christ is God incarnate and comes alongside us revealing the nature of God to us. The Holy Spirit resides within us and helps us to sense the presence of God within us. The Triune God becomes evident to us. The Bible reveals God to us on a daily basis as we read God's Word, illuminating our minds and spirits.

• Relational revelation. This is where Christians can make God discoverable by being a good Christian witness to our family, friends and contacts. We are lights that shine and help others visualise God not only through the eyes, but in the soul and spirit. Jesus said that we are the lights of the world, 

'You are the light of the world - like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.' Matthew 5:14 (NLT)

 

 'In the same way, let your light shine before people, so that they may see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.' Matthew 5:16 (CEB) 

The Matthew 5:16 text highlights our responsibilities in this relational revelation 

• The Place where our light should shine - Before men. Our Christian lives are to be lived in the presence of those around us, before many witnesses. We become transparent so that the Holy Spirit who lives within us shines forth as a testimony that God exists and works in our lives.

• The Process by which our light shines - Our good deeds. The things we do everyday out of love and with joy, bringing peace will be the things that people see and be inspired

• The Purpose for our light to shine - To glorify God. The good that we do should not point to ourselves but to God. God is the source of all goodness, the motivator of all good deeds.   

The lights of this world in the persons of all of us point towards God. We become ambassadors for Christ. The apostle Paul implored,

'So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" 2 Corinthians 5:20

On the 25 Jan 2023, we left the Argentinian town of Ushuaia at the most southern tip of Patagonia and headed head for Cape Horn prior going on to Antarctica. The Captain told us that the pilots on board refused to disembark at Cape Horn because of stormy weather. We may not proceed for the planned scenic cruising at Cape Horn as the waves and swells may be as high as 6 feet. On the 26 Jan 2023 we crossed the Drake Passage between two areas of more stormy seas but through the fog caused by the cold clockwise Antarctic current and the warmer South Atlantic current. 

I am reminded of the sailors that accompanied Magellan, Francis Drake and many other explorers and sea-captains who attempted to round the Cape. How the sailors must have feared the raging waves. How important the lights from the many lighthouses, now present in the various channels, in Tierra del Fuego are for guidance and safety.   

There is a song, 'Let the Lower Lights be Burning' that explains the reason why Christ compels us to have our lights shining; our lights, our testimonies point the way to Christ like beacons for salvation of souls. In the event of life's shipwrecks Christ is the main light shining from lighthouse and we Christians are the lower lights holding our lanterns guiding many to the safety and salvation in Christ.  

Brightly beams our father's mercy

From his lighthouse evermore

But to us he gives the keeping

Of the lights along the shore

Let the lower lights be burning

Send a gleam across the wave

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save

Dark the night of sin has settled

Loud the angry billows roar

Eager eyes are watching, longing

For the lights along the shore

Let the lower lights be burning

Send a gleam across the wave

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman

You may rescue, you may save

Lionel

Blessed To Be A Blessing

 

'May our sons flourish in their youth like well nurtured plants

May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace.

May our barns be filled with crops of every kind.

May the flocks in our fields multiply by the thousands, even tens of thousands, 

And may our oxen be loaded down with produce

May there be no enemy breaking through our walls

No going into captivity, no cries of alarm in our town squares' Psalm 144:12-14

Today, 22 January 2023 is Chinese New Year, ushering in the year of the Rabbit. Both Pat and I are born in the year of the rabbit which comes along every 12 years in the Chinese Lunar calendar. We wish everyone 新年快乐，万事如意,  xīn nián kuài lè, wàn shì rú yì meaning Happy New Year and May All Go Well With You.

The Lunar New Year celebration is filled with rich customs and meanings. Over the years it dawned on me that these customs are symbols of the passing on of blessings year after year such as in the CNY greeting above. In Chinese traditional thought, there  are the "four blessings" which are happiness (xi 喜), success or prosperity (lu 禄), longevity (shou 寿), and good fortune (fu 福). 

After greeting our elders during Chinese New Year in the Peranakan (Straits-born Chinese) tradition, the elders are blessed by the young ones with the phrase, 'Panjang, Panjang Umur'; best translated by Mr Spock's Vulcan greetings 'Live Long and Prosper.' The elders will in turn wish the younger ones with phrases like '生意兴隆' (booming business), '学业进步' (progress in studies), ' 步步高升 ' (to rise steadily).

Such blessings project the blessings of a Good Life which is from the Lord and well noted in the verse below.

'Yes, joyful are those who live like this!

Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord.' Psalm 144:15

Another CNY tradition is the giving and receiving of Ang Paos or red packets of money given to children and youths. More than just the giving of money or wealth this popular tradition connotes the passing on blessings and instilled from an early age, the virtue of generosity. We are blessed to be a blessing!

This requirement for Christians to be generous to one another and especially to the poor and needy, is mentioned several times in the Bible and especially in Malachi 3:8.

Nicky Gumbel wrote in the 'Bible in One Year Day 350,' "The prophet accuses them of robbing God by their failure to get their giving sorted out. He urges them, 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'see if I do not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.' This shows how important your giving is in God's eyes. Prioritise giving to the church you attend. If the church community gives generously, then you can expect that God will throw open the floodgates and pour so much blessing that we will not have enough room for it."

We are prone to think of giving only in monetary terms and perhaps the Ang-Pao of CNY and our tithes and offerings during church service help anchor this thought. But God blesses us with much more than just riches and wealth. Every gift, every talent, every act of kindness comes from God and we are to reciprocate this same kindness to others.

'Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gift to be used in service to others. So use your gift well.' 1 Peter 4:10 

“I will bless you,” God says to Abraham, “and you will be a blessing. . . . and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” Genesis 12:2-3.

God spoke these words to Abraham and laid down a principle for us to follow. Abraham's benefit is not the end of God's purpose. God will bless him so that he might be "a blessing to others." Think about the blessings God has given us and how we can use them to bless others. 

Ask the Lord to 'Make Me a Blessing.' 

Out in the high-ways and by-ways of life,

Many are weary and sad;

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,

Making the sorrowing glad.

 

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing --

Out of my life May Jesus shine;

Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

 

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,

Tell of His power to forgive;

Others will trust Him if only you prove

True, every moment you live.

 

Give as 'twas given to you in your need,

Love as the Master loved you;

Be to the helpless a helper indeed,

Unto your mission be true.

Be Strong and Courageous – Defining the Christian Leader

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take.' Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Today 15 Jan 2023 we will install the leaders of Charis Methodist Church, our Local Church Executive Committee. We pray that they will take the advice of the writer of Proverbs not to trust in their own understanding but to seek God's will and guidance always. 

Christian leaders are called of God. Many people will not dare to take on a role so demanding of character, time and sacrifice. Why would anyone take on such onerous responsibilities and duties? They are called and commissioned by God and He ensures the transfer of leadership from one generation to the next. We see this transfer from Moses to Joshua as the Israelites were about to cross the river Jordan into Canaan.

'Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise; cross this Jordan, you and all these people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.' Joshua 1:2

Pastor Clarence Goh, in his book, Called to Soar, expounded on the word, Arise, "It is a call to be counted. It's a call to be more involved and active in advancing the kingdom's work." (Ref 1) It is call to leadership.  

There will always be an enduring church leadership because God will provide. Yes, despite the perennial shortage of volunteers, there are still good Christian men and women who are willing to serve. There are three reasons for this: 

• God selects our leaders
• God guides our leaders
• God promises leaders, success.

The opening verses of the book of Joshua, which described the successful transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, give us insights into this:

 

'Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.' Joshua 1:6-9

God Selects Leaders

Leaders are usually selected because of their business experiences, financial contributions, political connections, professional career, management skills and connections. Holiness and good character which are important traits of spiritual leadership, are not immediately recognisable whilst administrative and organizational skills are more obvious and proven by track records. Hence the marks of spiritual maturity are often ignored in preference for leaders who are glib speakers with the right boardroom and management skills.

However, a wise congregation should quickly learn to leave the matter of leadership to God’s selection. They will seek to find God’s chosen person through prayerful discernment. Whilst we can discern the outward qualities, only God can fully assess the spiritual maturity and character. Such people will be called by Him. By their leadership and example, they should set and preserve the highest standards of ethical conduct. Jesus said,

'You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.' Matt 5:13

God Guides Leaders

God provided Joshua with the much-needed encouragement and guidance he needed. The words “be strong and courageous” were emphasized three times in the passage. Guidance was to come from God’s Word and it will shape his leadership. 

'Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.' Joshua 1:7

God Promises Success

All leaders need resilience, tenacity and endurance. Will the work and efforts of Christian leaders enjoy success so that the church can grow, minister and endure through times of difficulties and blessing?  God promised Joshua, 

'I will give you every place where you set your foot on, as I promised Moses.' (Joshua 1:3).

Charis Methodist Church needs leaders of sterling characters. We pray for them to 'Be Strong and Take Courage.' 

Be strong and take courage

Do not fear or be dismayed

For the Lord will go before you

And His light will show the way

Be strong and take courage

Do not fear or be dismayed

For the one who lives within you

Will be strong in you today

Why don't you give him all of your fears

Why don't you let him wipe all of your tears

He knows, He's been through pain before

And He knows all that you've been looking for

Nothing can take you out of his hand

Nothing can face you can't command

I know that you will always be

In His love, in His power you will be free!

So, be strong and take courage

Do not fear or be dismayed

For the Lord will go before you

And His light will show the way

Be Strong and take courage

Do not fear or be dismayed

For the one who lives within you

Will be strong in you today

Lionel

Ref 1: Clarence Goh, 'Called to Soar - a devotional on the Book of Joshua.' 2022 AdventTransformation.

Peace And Goodwill To All Men

'And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men."  Luke 2:10,11 and 13,14 (KJV)

Merry and Blessed Christmas! 

The first Christmas greetings under the night sky of Bethlehem was proclaimed by the angel and multitude of the heavenly host to the shepherds. There were two messages

• The birth of Jesus Christ, long awaited and a fulfillment of prophecies, 

'For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders. And He shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.' Isaiah 9:6-7

• The prayer and expectation of Peace on Earth. Jesus was declared the Prince of Peace.

Christians rejoice at the coming of Jesus, our Saviour who forgave our sins and ushered us into a new and living relationship with God. For more than two thousand years Christians enjoy this reality. But the promise of peace appears elusive; many lament the fact that peace on earth is never experienced even since the birth of Christ. 

Let me share my journey in understanding this Peace.

The first is Elusive Peace. This was most sarcastically commented by this rendition of Silent Night by Simon and Garfunkel over the Seven o'Clock News read by Charles O'Donnell.

That album was released in the 1966, things have not changed. Since then there has not been a Christmas in which there is no war, crisis or conflict somewhere in this world. This Christmas the war in Ukraine rages on and there will be no Christmas truce this time. Is Christmas and its promise of peace on earth good will among men irrelevant today?

The second is Inner Peace. How can we find peace in the midst of dismal circumstances? If peace cannot be found externally, can it be found within us? Having peace within, perhaps we can be at peace with others. A Chinese poem reads,

If there is a light in the soul there will be beauty in the person,

If there is beauty in the person there will be harmony in the house,

If there is harmony in the house there will be order in the nation,

If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.

"Let There Be Peace on Earth" is a song written by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller in 1955. Jackson-Miller, had been suicidal after the failure of her marriage, she wrote the song after discovering what she called the "life-saving joy of God's peace and unconditional love." The main message is in the refrain, 'Let peace begin with me.' 

The third is Heavenly Peace. There is another kind of peace, not coming from within but peace from above, transcendental peace. This is the peace offered by Christmas, Jesus said,

'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.' John 14:27

Saint Paul described this as a peace which passed all understanding,

 'And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' Philippians 4:7

This was the peace Saint Francis understood when he prayed 'Make me an instrument of thy peace.' The peace comes from God and if we can become just instruments, conduits of this peace, there is a chance for peace and good will among men.

Enjoy this Christmas carol, Silent Night. 

Merry Christmas! May the Light of Jesus Christ be the light in your souls!

Lionel

God Answers Prayers

'I prayed to the Lord and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.' Psalm 34:4-5 (NLT)

Two recent experiences taught me some truths to the reality of this often used phrase, God answers prayer

We went on a family holiday, mission trip and spiritual retreat to Thailand. My brother-in-law John was most keen to go on this trip. He wanted so much to see the mission work in Phrao. But the night before, John spotted a fever of 41 degrees centigrade. He was devastated; so were we because a drop-out from the trip would have spoilt the entire holiday. We all resorted to prayer for him that his condition would not be so severe as to have him opt out of the trip. Early next morning John saw his General Practitioner. The ART for Covid-19 was negative, so was the test for Dengue and the GP cleared him to go on vacation. God answered our petition positively and the entire 8 of us with John had a wonderful 16 days of family vacation and bonding.

Our next experience was not answered by God in the manner we had hoped for. Pat's friend, developed severe lung infection on vacation in Europe. Her cough went on for couple of months. We prayed for healing, however she developed respiratory failure and had to be on respiratory support for several weeks. We kept a prayer vigil for her recovery. Pat would write prayer responses which her daughter would read to the mother. Sadly she died. God chose not to answer our prayers the way we wanted, which is for recovery. But several days before she died, she chose in one of her more lucid moments, to be baptised. A professing Christian for many years, her more recent baptism anchored her faith. We knew then that God had answered our prayers in a far better manner that we had hoped for; Pat's friend had a home-coming and stood before her Lord Jesus Christ.

We can sometimes lose interest and faithfulness in prayer because we treat prayers to God as in going to an ATM to draw out cash. We expect always to have God answer our prayers in the way we wished for. Some even believe that if we persistently badger God, He will answer. They use this passage as justification.

'Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.' Matthew 7:7-8

Hence, some believe that if they are very persistent in praying, they will get what they want. They simply lack faith, if they don't, and they should pray even more. They fail to read the following verses wisely,

'Which of you, if your son asks for bread will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to you children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who asks Him!' Matthew 7:9-11

These verses tell us that God will always answer our prayers, not in the ways we wanted but in ways that is best for us. Sometimes, what is best is a 'No' as an answer or sometimes it is 'Wait' for God's good timing. Simply put, God knows what's best.

What Jesus is teaching us in the passage in the Sermon on the Mount is not to treat God as an automated answering machine nor attempt to placate God with our offerings in order that our prayers will be answered. We need not pester God into getting our way. More than a practice of prayer, Jesus is trying to establish a special relationship between us and God through our faithfulness in prayer  

So whether, answered positively or negatively, God answers prayers for our good. Build a prayer relationship with Him and as this song emphatically puts it, 'God Answers Prayer'

Have you ever talk to God above?

Tell Him that you need a friend to love

Pray in Jesus name believing

That God answers prayer

Have you told him all your cares and woes?

Ev'ry tiny little fear He knows. 

You can know He'll always hear

And He will answer prayer.

You can whisper in a crowd to Him

You can cry when you're alone to Him

You don't have to pray out loud to Him;

He knows your thoughts

On a lofty mountain peak, He's there.

In a meadow by a stream, He's there

Anywhere on earth you go,

He's been there from the start.

Find the answer in His Word; it's true.

You'll be strong because He walks with you

By His faithfulness He'll change you, too

God answers prayer.

Lionel

Climb Up Higher

Starting the Climb to Mount Sinai

'When Moses went up on the mountain, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai.... to the Israelites the glory of the Lord looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.' Exodus 24:15,16a and 17 (NLT)

On the 4 Dec 2010, the tour-pilgrimage group from Singapore reached St Catherine's Monastery. We journeyed by bus via a tunnel under the Suez Canal and through the Sinai Desert for about 7 hours.

At this spot at the foot of Mount Sinai, Moses encountered God in the burning bush, where he received the commission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. On a second occasion, at the top of the mountain, Moses received the Ten Commandments. We all felt that we were on Holy Ground

A much smaller group, 5 out  of 37 of us, decided to brave the biting cold and make the 3 hours climb up to the summit, 2285 metres high. They wished to see the sunrise at the mountain peak. More importantly, in making the climb they hope in the stillness of the dawn to very personally find God at a most sacred place. The rest of us lesser mortals settled in our beds to rise up early to worship at the foot of the mountain.

The Bible passage in Exodus 24 describes a similar group of pilgrims; the Israelites arriving at this same location after several days of walking through the Sinai desert. Here, the Lord God called Moses and the Israelites into a covenantal relationship with Him. Just like us, at the invitation to climb higher up the Sinai, the congregation separated; this time into 3 groups. Bishop Robert Solomon expounding from the passage described this as 3 levels of intimacy, the general congregation at the foot of the mountain, the seventy elders at mid-level and Moses alone at the mountain top.

At the foot of Sinai, the general congregation experienced their first introduction into a relationship with God :

'Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel' Exodus 24:4 

Sacrifices were made and blood was shed. This reminds us of baptism, which hinges on the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross and His blood shed as atonement for our sins.

The second level is represented by the elders who went with Moses halfway up the mountain. It was recorded that they ate and drank at the feet of God:

'Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of sapphire, clear as the sky itself. But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.' Exodus 24:9-11

The scene depicted the communal relationship of God's people, among themselves and with God. In the church we express this in the Holy Communion.

Then, Moses was invited alone into a deeper relationship with God; he was called to come up to God.

'The Lord said to Moses, "Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commands I have written for their instruction.' Exodus 24:12 

There was a cloud covering the mountain, which appeared to be on fire. In a spiritually charged atmosphere, Moses worshipped God alone.

Pilgrims from Singapore by the walls
of St Catherine Monastery

On that cold morning on 4 Dec 2010, every one of the 37 pilgrims who came from Singapore to Mount Sinai wanted to feel very close to God.

The five that went up the mountain will no doubt always remember the physical feat that led to a very special spiritual experience. At the summit, they worshipped and sang 'How Great Thou Art'. The rest of us worshipped by the walls of the Monastery of St Catherine, at the foot of the mountain. We sang 'To God Be The Glory'.

Here, on this historical site, God revealed himself so dramatically in ages past. 'This is holy ground.' We were glad that we came. During our worship, a special communion transpired between  our human spirit and the Holy Spirit. We knew that wherever we are and whatever level we are at, God will still beckon us to 'Come Up Higher'.

This is holy ground,

We’re standing on holy ground,
For the Lord is here
And where He is holy.
This is holy ground,
We’re standing on holy ground,
For the Lord is here
And where He is holy.

These are holy hands,
He’s given us holy hands,
He works through these hands
And so these hands are holy.
These are holy hands,
He’s given us holy hands,
He works through these hands
And so these hands are holy.

We are standing on holy ground

And I know that there are angels

All around

Let us praise Jesus now

We are standing in his presence

On holy ground

We are standing on holy ground

And I know that there are angels

All around

Let us praise Jesus now

We are standing in his presence

On holy ground

We are standing on holy ground

And I know that there are angels

All around

Let us praise Jesus now

We are standing in his presence

We are standing in his presence

We are standing in his presence

On holy ground

Lionel

Updated 1st published 4 Dec 2010

Spiritual Retreats

 

St Anthony's Monastery

'Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.' Mark 1:35

We visited the ancient Monastery of St Anthony on 2 Dec 2010. It is sequestrated in the parched Egyptian desert at the foot of mountains, by the eastern bank of the Red Sea. Here, about 112 Coptic monks live and work, dedicated to a secluded life seeking after a special communion with God and a community of like-minded brethren.

This monastery was founded in 356 AD and is reputed to be the oldest monastery in the world. St Anthony, whom many claim to have founded the monastic movement, lived as a hermit in a cave on the slope of the mountain behind the monastery. What drove him and many others down through the ages to forsake the world and live in solitude and seclusion?

Even today, there are such men living in caves in the desert. Many gave up their worldly possessions to live in this manner. St Anthony surrendered his family properties to live an ascetic life for nearly ninety years. He received his calling when he overheard the scriptures read from Matthew 19:21, 

'If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me'.

Some may consider such men to be eccentric, deranged and paranoid, battling personal demons that infest their souls.

In their desire to be completely pure and holy in God's presence, men like St Anthony speak of having to deal with such demons both within and without that would tempt them away from the holiness they seek. These struggles were probably very dramatic, even frightening. Some even describe near-death experiences. Eventually, many succeed to subdue these 'spirits' and establish an inspirational spirituality that few can ever hope to achieve.

Some may think that such desert fathers are just simply obsessed with evil, sin and guilt. In actual fact, they focused on imitating Christ by following a life of self sacrifice that will embody their dependence on God for their ultimate personal worth and salvation (Ref 1). Accordingly, the desert provides the opportunity to shake off all kinds of earthly encumbrances and limitations in order to stand unfettered in the very presence of God.

Realising this need for focus explains the sanity of their sacrifice. The experience of the physical desert makes giving up material things easier.

In contrast, in the material world of Singapore, following Jesus' advice to give all and follow Him, can be extremely difficult if not impossible. Hence, many of us will suffer missed opportunities just like the Bible's rich young ruler.

We are all the poorer for this; we clutch at our possessions, unable to release their stranglehold on us. As a result, we may never taste the pure and holy spiritual moments with God. Who, then, is more insane?

Nevertheless, trapped as we are, we should still define the spiritual space of our own desert and cultivate an attitude of detachment from material things. We should find time and space for much contemplation and worship; in our personal spiritual retreat. 

On the 21 Oct 2022 at a meditation group, Fabrice Desmarescaux, author of the book, 'The Art of Retreats: A Leader's Journey Toward Clarity, Balance and Purpose' gave 4 tips which he said are the essence of retreats.

• Solitude - Find time to be with yourself and to connect with yourself

• Silence - Find quietness and peace. Time opens up when we are not speaking; nothing and no noise to distract us
    
• Space - Find a space and surrounding that will inspire.

• Spirit - Find ourselves. We have been doing things all our lives now we can learn to just be ourselves, present and connect with our spirit. Henri Nouwen call this human being and not human doing. 

Then, more importantly, at these times of retreat, we will discover to whom we belong; we belong to God. Bishop Solomon wrote in 'Spiritual Discipline for Urban Christians' (Ref 2), "We need to find ourselves alone in God's redeeming and healing presence and find and receive our God-place. When we realise that each of us has a unique place given to us by God, we can truly rest instead of searching endlessly and fighting for a place of our own."

There is a hymn that tells us to retreat into a garden to find Jesus, 'In the Garden.' 

I come to the garden alone

While the dew is still on the roses

And the voice I hear, falling on my ear

The Son of God discloses

And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known

He speaks and the sound of His voice

Is so sweet the birds hush their singing

And the melody that He gave to me

Within my heart is ringing

And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known

I stayed in the garden with Him

Though the night all around me is falling

But He bids me go, through the voice of woe

His voice to me is calling

And He walks with me

And He talks with me

And He tells me I am His own

And the joy we share as we tarry there

None other has ever known

None other has ever known

Lionel

Updated 1st Published 2 Dec 2010

Ref 1 The relevance of the 'Life of Anthony' today written by a solitary monk living on St Anthony's Mountain, Mt Colzim, Egypt. In St Anthony, His Life and Sayings, Monastery of St Anthony, 2010 pp 173.

Ref 2 Bishop Robert Solomon, Spiritual Disciplines for Urban Christians, Genesis Book 2021