Too Much Sanity Is Madness

2001 Pat and Lionel at La Mancha

'If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.' James 4:17 

In a 2009 article of the Singapore Straits Times, prominent neurologist Dr Lee Wei Ling wrote about her attempts to climb Ben Nevis in Scotland. It was done in bad weather. After accomplishing the feat and drenched many hours later, Wei Ling  herself sought an answer as to why she made the climb. She wrote if asked, her answer would be, 'For some people, it takes a streak of insanity to make life worth living.' 

Reading this article, I am reminded of the Broadway musical ‘The Man of La Mancha’, relating the story of Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes. The novel, Don Quixote, is a satirical commentary of early 17th Century Spain which was under the yoke of the Spanish Inquisition. At that time, the tyranny of the ruling classes and the Church, severely put down the working classes and limited any freedom of expression. For years no one dared speak out against the brutalities, social oppression and injustices that occurred in that period. Cervantes bravely wrote this novel against the oppression of society.

Don Quixote relates the comical adventures of a schizophrenic old country gentleman from La Mancha, a district near Madrid. He donned a makeshift knight errand’s armour and went about the countryside correcting imaginary wrongs, fighting imaginary dragons and rescuing imaginary damsels in distress. The novel became an instant hit. It is arguably the best written novel for all times. 

Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza have become the icons of Spain. It gave rise to the word ‘quixotic’ which stands for behavior that is noble in an absurd way. Cervantes made a statement that individuals can be right while whole societies can be quite wrong and disenchanting. Such individuals should gather the courage to speak up for what is right even if it is sheer madness to do so. 

History relates many examples of individuals who, stricken by a new social conscience brought about revolutionary changes in society. One sterling example was the abolishment of slavery, through the strong social actions of men like William Wilberforce, Granville Sharp and Abraham Lincoln. 

As a Methodist, I am proud that many historians acknowledged the new social conscience, brought on by the growth of Methodism which corrected many injustices in 18th century England and America. John Wesley is popularly remembered as the itinerant evangelist and open air preacher and the gospel he preached inspired people to take up social causes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Nearer home, my sister in law Maureen Fung, realised that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the taxi drivers at the taxi stand near her flat waited for many hours without getting any passengers. So, Maureen went down from her high rise apartment gave to each driver a $50 bill from the relief package she received from government. An odd, quixotic thing to do?

The Book of James strongly argues that faith needs to give rise to social conscience, social concerns and social action. 

'Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Anyone then who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.'  James Chap 2:15-17 and 4:17

John Stott (Ref 1) narrated a story of a homeless woman who turns to a country vicar for help but he in turn, promised to pray for her. She later wrote this poem, 

'I was hungry, and you formed a humanities group to discuss my hunger.
I was imprisoned and you crept off quietly to your chapel and prayed for my release.

 I was naked, and in your mind you debated the morality of my appearance.

 I was sick, and you knelt and thanked God for your health.

I was homeless, and you preached to me of the spiritual shelter of the love of God.

I was lonely and you left me alone to pray for me. 

You seem so holy, so close to God but I am still very hungry – and lonely – and cold.

Sometimes, it may appear to be madness to try to effect any change. To make the rational decision for inaction and omission may appear to be a sane thing to do for many. Henry David Thoreau wrote, "The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation." We lead lives of quiet desperation when we resigned ourselves to the status quo. 

In the Man of La Mancha, there is stirring song, The Impossible Dream

To dream the impossible dream

To fight the unbeatable foe

To bear with unbearable sorrow

To run where the brave dare not go

To right the unrightable wrong

To love pure and chaste from afar

To try when your arms are too weary

To reach the unreachable star

This is my quest,

To follow that star

No matter how hopeless,

No matter how far.

To fight for the right

Without question or pause,

To be willing to march

Into hell for a heavenly cause.

And I know if I'll only be true

To this glorious quest

That my heart will lie peaceful and calm

When I'm laid to my rest

And the world will be better for this

And one man, sore and covered with scars

Still strove with his last ounce of courage

To fight the unbeatable foe

To reach the unreachable star

'Too much sanity is madness and the maddest thing of all is to view life as it is and not as it should be.' It pays to be mad sometimes. 

Lionel 

Ref 1: John Stott “Issues Facing Christians Today. Marshalls Paperback, 1984.

Updated. 1st published 26 June 2009

No Greater Love

1993 Pat and Lionel at The Alamo

'Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.' John 15:13

The Ultimate Sacrifice and the Greatest Love.

The first time I understood Ultimate Sacrifice was when I watched the 1960 movie The Alamo. This blockbuster movie was produced and directed by John Wayne, who also acted as David Crockett and Richard Widmark played the role of Jim Bowie. I was most impressed by the embittered character Lieutenant-Colonel William Travis, played by Laurence Harvey, who was the commanding officer. He had a very difficult task to defend against an overwhelming force and against all odds; a difficult choice to make to stand his ground and not withdraw or surrender.  

At the Battle of the Alamo, 185 Texans, Tennesseans, Mexicans and others defended the Spanish Catholic Mission and Fortress at San Antonio against 5000 troops of the Mexican Army led by the dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna. After a 13 days siege, despite the brave defense put up by the Americans, the Mexican Army breached the wall and a brutal slaughter of all 185 men ensued. These men paid the ultimate sacrifice, they laid down their lives in the fight for the independence of Texas. 

 The Ballad of the Alamo extol their bravery and their ultimate sacrifice.

   

But the Battle of the Alamo was not a wasted carnage. It delayed the Mexican advance and bought sufficient time for General Sam Houston to raise an army, eventually to defeat Santa Anna and secured the independence of Texas. Under the rallying cry 'Remember the Alamo' the Texans recognised the sacrifice of these man to establish their State.

I was 10 years old when I watched the movie but two scenes made an indelible mark on me. Somehow each scene allowed me to draw lessons of values and virtues which I could apply when I became a Christian several years later. 

The first scene was when LTC Travis drew a line on the sand of the old fort with his sabre having realised the foregone conclusion of the battle. He asked any person wanting to withdraw, escape or surrender to Mexican army, to step across that line. Not one of the 185 men walked across. They all chose to stay at fight even though they knew it was going to be certain death for them.

Centuries earlier another commander, Joshua had thrown down the same challenge. Joshua challenged the Israelites,

 'But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.' Joshua 24:15

Like that line in the sand, it was a pivotal choice to make. The Israelites like the Texans made the right choice, they replied Joshua "Be it far from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods!" Joshua 24:16. 

This challenge is a fundamental choice all Christians need to make very early in their belief and conversion. There is no turning back.

The second scene was the closing sequence of the movie. Mrs Sue Dickinson, wife of the artillery officer, placed her daughter on a donkey and slowly out of the Alamo, one of the few survivors. As mother and daughter passed by the slain men strewn on the grounds of the Alamo, the soldiers of Santa Anna's army stood up and saluted. It was a very sad yet poignant moment. A lovely song the  'Green Leaves of Summer' sung by the Brothers Four played in the background recounting precious moments of life including the time to die.

A time to be reaping

A time to be sowing

A time just for living

A place for to die

Twas so good to be young then

To be close to the earth

Now the green leaves of summer

Are calling me home

It was the time of men laying down their lives so that others may live. Jesus Christ also spoke of this ultimate sacrifice,

'Greater love has no one more than this: to lay down his life for his brother.' John 15:13

The sacrifice at the Alamo is relevant but Jesus Christ was speaking about an even greater love, an even greater sacrifice - His sacrifice on the cross at Calvary. Because of His great love for all men, Jesus suffered a gruesome death to pay for the sins of men. Jesus laid down his life to save us from our sins - the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus died so that we can live - The Greatest Love.

'Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.     This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son (Jesus) as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.' 1 John 2:2 and 1 John 4:10

Christianity is born of the sacrifice and the blood of Jesus Christ.

In 1993, Pat and I visited The Alamo. We went not as tourists; it was more like a pilgrimage to honour the 185 men, to think of their sacrifice and to stand silently where they were slain. It was evening and the sun was setting as it was when Travis drew that line in the sand. 

In that serenity, we made a silent family prayer and rededicated our lives - 'As For Me And My House We Will Serve The Lord.'

Lionel

   

 

La Vie En Rose

'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.' Psalms 34:18

This is a beautiful love song. La Vie En Rose literally means life in pink. It can be  translated as life in rosy hues and or life seen through happy lenses. I was drawn to its tune and lyrics but even more so to the French singer and composer of this song, Édith Piaf. 

Her life was very tragic. Edith was called la môme, the orphan sparrow, reflecting her difficult childhood of extreme poverty. Her mother, a café singer, abandoned her at birth, and she was taken in by her grandmother, who brought up the young girl in a brothel. Piaf became blind at age three, a complication of meningitis, but recovered her sight four years later. A few years after that she joined her father, a circus acrobat, accompanied him wherever he performed and sang in the streets of Paris eking a meagre living. 

Later in life Edith Piaf was involved in several serious car accidents. She suffered from failing health, due partly, to alcohol and drug abuse. She died young, aged  47 years, from lung cancer. 

Her death was mourned internationally and in France, thousands lined the route of her funeral procession. She was able to move audiences with her passionate rendition of songs of love and loss with her unadorned but unique sultry voice. 

Edith Piaf led a tragic life, yet this song of life seen in happy hues gave no hint of her unfortunate circumstances. Furthermore, this song was composed by her in the final years of World War 2. It was a statement refusing to acknowledge the ravages of war but instead expressing a hope for a better age. No wonder this song is far more than a hit; it is honoured by some as the unofficial national anthem of the French. 

Hold me close and hold me fast

The magic spell you cast

This is la vie en rose

When you kiss me heaven sighs

And though I close my eyes

I see la vie en rose

When you press me to your heart

I'm in a world apart

A world where roses bloom

And when you speak

Angels sing from above

Everyday words seem

To turn into love songs

Give your heart and soul to me

And life will always be

La vie en rose

This song, its lyrics and the circumstances surrounding its composition, reminds us that life can be lived optimistically in spite of difficulties and tragedies. Such an attitude can help us through the most difficult times. Indeed it can help us journey the tough times of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the same way, St Paul wrote to encourage Christians:

'We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.'

2 Corinthians 4:8,9. 

Similarly, King David was pursued relentlessly twice in his lifetime, at first by King Saul and then by his own son, Absalom. He wrote many Psalms of his plight but he never buckled under his circumstances; he always hoped in God to deliver him from his enemies.

'Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord'.' Psalm 31:24

'For You have been my hope, Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth.' Psalm 71:5

Why, my soul are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Saviour and my God.'  Psalms 42:5

Instead of being downcast we can remain optimistic through bleak times. Remember the old Sunday School Song? 

Have faith hope and charity

That's the way to live successfully

How do I know?

The Bible tells me so.

Life is not always a bed of roses but it should always be seen through rosy hues, La Vie En Rose!

Lionel

Try A Little Kindness

'Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgive you.' Colossians 3:12-13

My friend, Dr William Wan, pastor, theologian, lawyer is the General Secretary of the Singapore Kindness Movement. This movement was formed in 1997 with the aim of encouraging daily acts of kindness. It was felt that it is timely to invest some effort to promote kindness so as to achieve a more gracious Singaporean society. Probably the Singapore government realised that in an urban and fast-living environment, there is not much time nor attention left to care about anyone else other than oneself. 

But kindness has its rewards. Remember your childhood Aesop Fable of the Lion and the Mouse? 

A timid mouse chanced upon a lion sleeping in the forest. It ran across the lion's nose hoping to cross the lion but woke the sleeping beast instead. Woken up from his nap, the angry lion caught the mouse by its tail. The mouse begged for mercy stating that if it was spared it will repay the kindness someday. The lion, amused that a little mouse could ever help the king of the beasts, nevertheless felt kind and let the little mouse go.

Some days later the lion was caught in the coils of a poacher's net. Unable to break himself free, he roared ferociously to no avail. Realising that the lion was in distress the tiny mouse ran to his aid. Looking at the net that entrapped the lion, the mouse started to gnaw at the coils. Eventually the ropes burst and the lion was set free. 

The lesson from Aesop was  'No Act of Kindness No Matter How Small is Wasted' and many a parent taught her children kindness by reading this story to them.

It is strange to think that kindness can be taught. Why feature a kindness movement in a successful and prosperous city like Singapore? Should we think that teaching kindness is only meant for children?  That these little things and acts do not matter for adults? Adults can easily skip the small acts of kindness as  we aspire to so more significant deeds. Unfortunately we will miss this Sesame Street lesson - 'If you try a little kindness, you'll be surprised how good it makes you feel'.  

When William took on a leadership role in the Singapore Kindness Movement I was surprised. After so many years in Christian ministry in very exacting leadership positions, why take on a namby-pamby job promoting kindness? Then I realised that kindness is the anchor act of Christian love. How would we love our neighbour as God commanded us if not to show kindness? 

Loving one's neighbour is not just a sentimental response. It is the practical giving of one's self and its shows the love we have for others. In Matthew 25:34-36 Jesus said that acts of kindness will be the evidence of our Christianity,

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat,

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,

I was a stranger and you invited me in,

I needed clothes and you clothed me,

I was sick and you looked after me,

I was in prison and you came to visit me. 

And so, my good friend William got it right. If you want to be a good Christian, try a little kindness.

If you see your brother standing by the road

With a heavy load from the seeds he sowed
And if you see your sister falling by the way
Just stop and say, "You're going the wrong way"

You've got to try a little kindness
Yes, show a little kindness
Just shine your light for everyone to see
And if you try a little kindness
Then you'll overlook the blindness
Of narrow-minded people on the narrow-minded streets

Don't walk around the down and out
Lend a helping hand instead of doubt
And the kindness that you show every day
Will help someone along their way

In the same way John Wesley taught his followers, the Methodists to do good deeds, in an almost feverish pitch:

Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.

Lionel

Give What You Cannot Keep, Gain What You Cannot Lose

'But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can take nothing out of it.' 1 Timothy 6:6,7 

In recent years we have seen the ascendency of digital or cryptocurrency with the Bitcoin, founded in January 2009. There are no physical bitcoins just a virtual commodity that has purchasing power or value that could be traded online and even for real goods. Bitcoins are not backed by gold, banks or governments. They are not even legal tender. Yet, one Bitcoin is valued at S$47,641 today, up from S$0/- when it was introduced in 2009 and S$0.08 in 2010. In the month of May 2021 alone, one Bitcoin was valued at the lowest price of S$45,569 to highest price at S$78,000.

In that volatility, many investors in Bitcoins have gained and some have lost their fortunes, almost instantaneously. It seems that nowadays, money need not be hard earned. 

Life has become complicated. 

What is the value of things? What is Wealth? "Our wealth is not measured by what we own but what we give away," wrote Bishop Robert Solomon (Ref 1) Bishop was not merely advocating generosity with that statement, he was urging us to keep life simple and not to allow one's wealth to complicate one's life. The missionary and martyr, James Elliot learned this lesson early in life, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

John Wesley urged Methodists, "Earn all you can. Save all you can. Give all you can." Each instruction in the dictum highlights a certain way to live, a certain habit to develop, a certain value to possess. They are Diligence, Frugality and Generosity. Living by these principles, Bishop Solomon surmised, will bring Simplicity to one's life.

Kent Nerburn wrote in the Introduction to his book Simple Graces, "We dream our lives in grand gestures, but we live our lives in small moments. For though we may not live a holy life, we live in a world alive with holy moments. We need only take the time to bring these moments into the light." (Ref 2)

How then do we keep our lives simple, contented and unafraid? Jesus reaches out to us and tells us to walk with Him. A song 'I Know Who Holds Tomorrow' clarifies this.

I don't know about tomorrow

I just live from day to day

I don't borrow from its sunshine

For its skies may turn to grey

I don't worry o'er the future

For I know what Jesus said

And today I'll walk beside Him

For He knows what is ahead

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow,

And I know who holds my hand

I don't know about tomorrow

It may bring me poverty

But the one who feeds the sparrow

Is the one who stands by me

And the path that be portion

May be through the flame or flood

But His presence goes before me

And I'm covered with His blood

Many things about tomorrow

I don't seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand

 Jesus said in Matthew 6:25,26 and 34

 

'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body what you will wear. is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.' 

Keep Life Simple. 

Lionel

Ref 1. Bishop Robert M Solomon. Spiritual Disciplines for Urban Christians. Genesis Books, 2021

Ref 2.  Kent Nerburn. Small Graces, The Quiet Gifts of Everyday Life. New World Library, 1998.

Parable of The "Lazy" Gardener

An English Garden in Spring May 2006

'For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations.'  Isaiah 61:11

There is nothing more pleasing than a walk through an English Garden. On a cool spring day, it is a sheer delight to take in the sights, sounds and smells of a well laid out landscape. 

How does your garden grow? Tending to the garden should not be taken too lightly, it is hard work. We may take these beautiful gardens for granted and miss the tremendous efforts of the gardeners to plant, manicure and maintain such  artistic displays. 

Yet, despite their hard work, the gardeners cannot cause the plants to grow nor cajole the flowers to blossom. Beneath it all, the discerning person should see the hand of God, invisible yet clearly evident, in the making of the garden. This is the miracle of growth.

Remember, the English nursery rhyme? It makes gardening so easy.

 

Mary, Mary, quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells, and cockle shells,

And pretty maids all in a row

Jesus in Mark 4: 26-29 explained that while one can acknowledge the labour of the farmer, the miracle of growth takes over and we all benefit from the harvest.

'This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.'

a. Growth is a miracle. When we leave it to God, the seed left alone will grow. God gives the increase

b. Growth is gradual. Don’t expect crops to grow overnight. The patient hand of God is at work.

All we need to do is to plant a little seed. The Story of Teddy Stallard helps to drive home this point

The story is an encouragement for the witnessing teacher, doctor, pastor, missionaries, indeed for all of us! Don't think that the things you do are insignificant, Jesus said in Matthew 13:32 and Matthew 5:16

"Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches."

"Let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

A song released in 1969 'Put A Little Love In Your Heart' echoes these same sentiments.   

Think of your fellow man

Lend him a helping hand

Put a little love in your heart

You see it's getting late

Oh, please don't hesitate

Put a little love in your heart

And the world will be a better place

And the world will be a better place

For you and me

You just wait and see

Another day goes by

Still the children cry

Put a little love in your heart

If you want the world to know

We won't let the hatred grow

Put a little love in your heart

Take a good look around

And if you're looking down

Put a little love in your heart

 I hope when you decide

Kindness will be your guide

Put a little love in your heart

Do we need any more convincing? To do a lasting deed, plant a little seed.

Lionel

All You Need Is Love

'Love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is Love.' 1 John 4:7-8

Modern society especially its entertainment industry has a fixation on love. It is a theme that draws and tugs at the heartstrings of young lovers. For a brief moment in life they can revel in its romance.

In July 1967, the Beatles released a single, All You Need is Love, at the first live global broadcast by satellite in the international TV programme, One World. This was at the height of the Hippie movement, the eclectic flower children, which culminated in the Summer of Love in 1967. More than 100,000 young people camped at San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury neighbourhood wearing hippie style outfits, sporting long hair, listening to hippie music, some smoking pot while others shooting hallucinogenic drugs. It was a celebration of love. 

All You Need Is Love expresses with very simple lyrics, the celebration of love.     

Love, love, love

Love, love, love

Love, love, love

There's nothing you can do that can't be done

Nothing you can sing that can't be sung

Nothing you can say, but you can learn how to play the game

It's easy

Nothing you can make that can't be made

No one you can save that can't be saved

Nothing you can do, but you can learn how to be you in time

It's easy

All you need is love

All you need is love

All you need is love, love

Love is all you need

There's nothing you can know that isn't known

Nothing you can see that isn't shown

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

It's easy

It did not last. By the end of that summer many participants left the scene, resumed school studies, got jobs and started on their careers. The realities of having to make a livelihood forced them to abandon these feelings of love in order to face the uncertain future. Like the hippies in the 1960s, many young lovers will soon realise that romantic love can be fleeting.

But, the need to love and be loved remains. This song by Burt Bacharach and Hal David What the World Needs Now is Love Sweet Love emphatically states this reality.   

What the world needs now is love, sweet love

It's the only thing that there's just too little of

What the world needs now is love, sweet love

No not just for some but for everyone.

Lord, we don't need another mountain

There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb

There are oceans and rivers enough to cross

Enough to last till the end of time 
 

Lord we don't need another meadow

There are cornfield and wheatfields enough to grow

There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine

Oh listen Lord, if you want to know

Comparing these two songs, one should notice that the second recognises God and realises there isn't enough of this kind of love - 'the only thing that there's just too little of.' 

In his sermon at Aldersgate Convention Singapore on 22 May 2021, Bishop Gordon Wong brought this love of God to our attention. Speaking on the passage of the love of God in 1 John Chap 4, Bishop Wong (and the apostle John) made a few points that are worth repeating

• Love with the Love of God. In asking us to love one another, the reason is presented that love comes from God. If we do not love we actually do not know God either, for God is Love (1 John 4:7,8). To love somebody, we rely on the love God has for us (1 John 4:16)

• Love God by loving others. John states that Jesus Christ has given us a command, anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister. Put in a negative way, anyone who does not love their brother or sister whom they have seen cannot love God, whom they have not seen. (1 John 4:20,21)

• Love without fear. This means we should love unreservedly. We need not fear of loving too much or giving too much or have a fear of being made used of when we love someone. There is no need to fear in giving love. (1 John 4:18)

Bishop Wong went on to say that the love of God is in us; this is Perfect Love. 

Elizabeth Barrett Browning understood this perfect love as she expresses her love to her husband in Sonnet 43 How Do I Love Thee?. She moved from romantic love to spiritual love. She posited that true love is everlasting, all-encompassing, surpassing time, space and death.  

Elizabeth's love is Agape Love, Christian Love. The Love of God starts a relationship of love in every Christian and connects us to an everlasting community of love not just for one brief summer of love.

Lionel

A Solitary Space

Garden at Kubota Ichiku Kimono Musuem

'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

In April 2007, I chanced upon this quiet wooded area just outside the Ichiku Kubota Kimono Art Musuem on the northern shores of Lake Kawaguchiko in the Yamanashi, Japan. The extensive gardens designed by the artist himself stretch from the entrance gate far into the wooded slopes behind the museum buildings. I took a solitary stroll along quiet paths and hummed softly the Christian song, 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

The garden and the solitary walk epitomises man's need for silence, stillness and solitude. Emeritus Bishop Robert Solomon in his book 'Spiritual Disciplines for Urban Christians' (Ref 1) observed that the speed of life has increased in the crowded social environment and the soul cannot keep up with the body. Perhaps the enforced social distancing and the ban on overcrowding brought about by the current Covid-19 pandemic have brought us to recognise this need.

We need to find our God-given space to be alone with God. The Latin term 'Coram Deo' describes this space as being in the presence of God or before the face of God. We need not find a solitary place, just a solitary space, which Richard Foster reminded us as 'a state of mind and heart.' 

Being alone is not the same as being lonely. Being alone or finding solitude is a choice as in Jesus getting up early in the morning and to retire to a solitary place. Being lonely is an imposition much like not having friends, no fellowship and perhaps pining for the company of others.

Sometimes we go out of the way to find peace and quiet as in the case of the garden at the Ichiku Kubota museum. Other times it would suffice just to keep to ourselves in our rooms. Bishop Solomon added "It is not where we are that matters but who we are with. The place of solitude is where we are alone with God." 

The Hebrew word, 'Kavanah' convey the concept of being aware of God's presence. This is especially enhanced when we find a solitude which Henri Nouwen calls the "solitude of the heart, an inner quality or attitude that does not depend on physical isolation." (Ref 2) Dave Adamson wrote "The key is to intentionally focus on God in everything we do. Kavanah comes when you have a mindset that God is in every conversation, every step, every breath, every action and reaction, every relationship, every social media post, everything.' (Ref 3)

Solitude in a lonely garden, a desert or a crowded city engender a spiritual longing for God.

'You God are my God 

Earnestly I seek You

I thirst for You

My whole being longs for You." (Psalms 63:1)

A favourite worship song, written by Don Moen expresses this longing for God in more contemporary language and music - 'I Just Want To Be Where you Are.' 

I just want to be where you are

Dwelling daily in your presence

I don't want to worship from afar

Draw me near to where you are

I just want to be where you are

In your dwelling place

In your dwelling place forever

Take me to the place where you are

'Cause I just want to be with you

I want to be where you are

Dwelling in your presence

Feasting at your table

And surrounded by your glory

In your presence

That's where I always want to be

I just want to be

I just want to be with you

I just want to be where you are

Dwelling daily in your presence

Dwelling daily in your presence

I don't want to worship from afar

Draw me

Draw me near to where you are

Oh my God, you are my strength and my song

And when I'm in your presence

Though I'm weak, you're always strong

In your presence

That's where we always want to be

I just want to be

I just want to be with you

Lionel

 

Ref 1: Robert M Solomon, Spiritual Disciplines for Urban Christians. Genesis Books, 2021.

Ref 2: Henri J M Nouwen, Reaching Out - The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life. Doubleday 1975.

Ref 3: Dave Adamson, 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know. Christian Art Gifts, 2018.

The Pearl Of Great Price

 'For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.' Matt 6:21

We spend an inordinate amount of time and expenses in search of possessions, physical beauty and pleasures. This materialistic, modern society places a high premium on treasured possessions as  signs of success. But to store up treasures on earth is not the smart thing to do, they cannot last. The forces of nature and society will corrupt, deplete and devalue these things. 

Jesus taught, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."  Matt 6:20

Tevye, the dairy man in the musical 'The Fiddler on the Roof', dreamt of elusive wealth. Singing 'If I were a Rich Man' he thought of many things he could do with wealth and ended his song with the unforgettable question 'Would it spoil some vast eternal plan, if I were a wealthy man?'

The Bible warns that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim 6:10) Indeed Jesus says "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money" Matthew 6:24.

What can money buy? Recently a Singaporean buyer bought a digital artwork, 'Everydays: The First 5000 Days for a princely sum of USD$70 million'. In 1958, a painting by Leonardo Da Vinci 'Salvator Mundi' was bought for USD$60. In 2017, that same painting was sold for USD$450 million, the most expensive painting in the world.

It seems that wilful blindness are at play in the price of things. Oscar Wilde said, "Nowadays people know price of everything and the value of nothing."

What is the value of things? Jesus spoke of two individuals. The first person was an explorer who searched for treasure concealed in a field. He discovered it and then pulled together everything he owned to buy the field so that he could possess the treasure. The second person was a businessman who was on a lookout for priceless pearls. He found this one exquisite pearl of incredible value and sold all his fortune in order to buy this one pearl. These two gentlemen had clarity of the bargain. They found treasures, they thought, that had priceless value and lasting worth, acquired them without so much as batting an eyelid.

What was Christ teaching in the stories of these two treasure hunters? Jesus was reminding His listeners to look for real value in life. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God," He proclaimed. Bishop Robert Solomon wrote that this will mean an internal reorganisation in us, unsettling our worldly priorities and steering us towards the perspectives and priorities of the heavenly kingdom. (Ref 1) 

What is our pearl of great price? I found that pearl when I was only a teenager. I found Jesus and since then, Jesus is all the world to me.

Jesus is all the world to me

My life, my joy, my all

He is my strength from day to day

Without Him I would fall

When I am sad, to Him I go 

No other one can cheer me so

When I am sad, He makes me glad

He's my friend

Jesus is all the world to me

My friend in trials sore

I go to Him for blessings and

He gives them o'er and o'er

He sends the sunshine and the rain

He send the harvest golden grain

Sunshine and rain, harvest of grain

He's my friend.

Jesus is all the world to me,

And true to Him I'll be

Oh how could I this friend deny

When He's so true to me

Following Him I know I'm right

He watches o'er me day and night

Following Him I know I'm right

He's my friend

Jesus is all the world to me,

I want no better friend

I trust Him now; I'll trust Him when

Life's fleeting days shall end

Beautiful life with such a friend

Beautiful life that has no end

Eternal life, eternal joy

He's my friend

Marc Chagall painted the 'Fiddler on the Roof.' This fiddler opens and closes the musical of the same title with a haunting melody, standing in a precarious position on the roof, a metaphor of the uncertainty of this world. Indeed, contrary to expectations the treasures of this world do not bring stability; only the same precariousness as fiddling on the roof  

So, let us find our lasting treasure - Jesus Christ, all the world to us!

Lionel 

Ref 1: Robert M Solomon, Spiritual Disciplines for Urban Christians. Genesis Books, 2021