Steadfast, Immovable.

 'What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind?' Matthew 11:7

Reeds in the wind. Jesus was introducing the crowd to John the Baptist and He was contrasting the tenacity of John the Baptist against the shifting beliefs of the many in the crowds that followed Him. With rhetorical questions, Jesus introduced John, the ramrod straight man in the wilderness as the forerunner of the coming of Christ.

'As John's disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about  John: "What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A reed swayed by the wind? If not what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings' palaces. Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist.' Matthew 11:7-9 and 11a 

Spineless Christianity? Like reeds swaying in the wind? Saint Paul described such Christianity as being tossed about by the waves instead He prayed for maturity and service for all Christians,

'To equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity of faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by waves, and blown here are there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.' Ephesians 4:12-14

In 1968, about 60 youths from the Methodist Youth Fellowship (MYF) of the Geylang Methodist English Service, now Charis Methodist Church committed to these verses from Ephesians 4 as their statement of faith and ministry. Today, nearly 54 years later, only about 50% remained in the faith, the rest have been tossed about by every wind and wave and have fallen by the wayside. What kept the remaining 30 persons in their Christian Faith? It is their tenacity, resilience and steadfastness. Some may say it is 'a stick to it ability.'

'So my dear brothers and sisters be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.' 1 Corinthians 15:58

Among other attributes, these faithful Christians maintained a consistent service for the Lord and the Church. 

SIM (Serving in Missions) East Asia in its 2/3 2022 publication SIM NOW entitled Serving Steadfastly, shared several testimonies of missionaries.

• Steadfast Amidst Uncertainty by Luke and Jill in Southern Asia, "So how can we be steadfast when life is so uncertain? We are learning to faithfully do God's work and accept whatever comes our way. We continue to move forward in faith, no matter what happens, even if our new normal looks quite different from what we thought it would."

• Steadfast In Intimacy With Him by Dr Judy Ho in Nigeria, "By stepping out in obedience and by fixing my eyes upon Him, God has showered me with blessings way beyond my imagination. He has graciously let me know Him more intimately. He enables me to understand and accept my limitation more. Certainly, His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is perfected in my weaknesses.

• Steadfast Amidst Challenges by Ghie Sibayan in the Philippines, "Living through the different challenges of life and ministry has not been easy for me. the Lord has been enabling me to serve steadfastly by being willing to adjust, stay in community and recognise God's presence." 

• Steadfast In Being Sensitive by Tijin and Merin in Ghana, "What God requires from us is to remain committed to His work and to be sensitive to His leading in His Mission."

These testimonies are very inspiring. And they show that these missionaries are resolute and strong. Just as Joshua was to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, he was given a rallying call.

'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.' Joshua 1:9

The Joshua call must have also kept many a Christian steadfast and sure though all the challenges of life. We are not like reeds in wind; 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!

Lionel

Seeing Through The Mist

Seeing Through The Mist, Snowy Mountains Australia

'Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see as if face to face. Now I know of life, in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known by God.'  1 Corinthian 13:12 

The morning was enveloped with a thick mist as I walked alone on a lonely country road in the Snowy Mountains region in Jindabyne, Australia. The fresh air laden with dew was cold on my face but I did not mind; walking alone that morning brought serenity and solace. These lonely moments are hard to find.

The road before me was obscured by fog but it was sufficiently visible to ascertain the direction of my path. I realised that the ability to see through the mist, even with some degree of uncertainty, is exactly how I have obtained guidance from God throughout life. My limited vision and mind cannot completely comprehend God nor let me view life with definite clarity.

Fogginess can be a natural aspect of life. When we try to perceive life, we must be prepared to peer through the mist and accept some mystery. Calvin Miller (Ref 1) said "Mystical is that wonderful word we apply to things that have ultimate meaning but elude our understanding." He advocated that Christians need not always perceive life cognitively. We should lose the desire to always want to be in control. This is what I have also learnt especially since that I started meditation from April 2021.

With solitary walks or with meditation, we learn to drop false pragmatism and embrace the practical reality that the Holy Spirit like the wind brings some uncertainty. We can sense its presence but will be uncertain where it comes from and whither it will go.

But we are not left alone groping. That morning when I walked through the mist I was not alone. I prayed and sang as though God walked with me and indeed He did. Although, we see through tinted glasses of our own inadequacies and sinfulness, there is comfort in the Christian understanding and experience that God is close at hand.

There is silence but the walk is not solitary. Two songs accompanied me.

• Walk With Me in which I felt the Presence of God 
• I'm Not Alone in which I sensed the Leading of God. 

Walk with me through the long and lonely night

Walk with me and my world is filled with light

Here I stand feeling lost and so alone

Take my hand don't desert me now

Please don't hurt me now

If you walk with me though I know the road is long

I'll get by with your love to make me strong

More by far than a guiding star above

I long for you

Walk with me oh my love

Somewhere the sunbirds fly

In a clear blue sky

Only you and I there together

Love me now and for ever

Walk with me through the long and lonely night

Walk with me and my world is filled with light

Here I stand feeling lost and so alone

Take my hand don't desert me now

Please don't hurt me now

If you walk with me though I know the road is long

I'll get by with your love to make me strong

More by far than a guiding star above

I long for you

Walk with me oh my love

I long for you

Walk with me oh my love

I'm not alone while walking o'er life's journey.

I have a friend who walks along with me.

I'm not alone although I'm often lonely.

My saviour God is by me constantly.

So when the storms of life assail me

and earthly friendships fail me,

I'll sing and smile o'er every mile

till I reach my heavenly home.

St Paul wrote in 1 Cor 13:12, 

Now we see but a poor reflection of life and it's journey as in a mirror; then we shall see distinctly as if face to face. Now I know of life, in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known by God (italics mine).

Lionel

Updated 1st published 9 Oct 2008

1. Calvin Miller “Into the Depths of God” Bethany House, 2000

The Anatomy of Unity

'Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.' 1 Corinthians 12:12

One of the most difficult questions faced by Christians is 'Why are we so divided, why so many denominations?' There are the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Churches, the Protestant Churches along with the many denominations, Anglicans, Presbyterians, Assemblies of God, Methodist among others.

Church movements occur in different countries and at different times. Such growth result in the establishment of churches connected with one another through their shared experience. This occurs with the two major branches of Christianity, the Catholic and the Orthodox Churches. Other times the original church enter into a time of complacency even apostasy which resulted in the congregations deserting the original church as occurred in the reformation which resulted in the third major branch, the Protestant Church.

The Protestant church is further divided into several denominations. An example was the establishment of the Methodist Churches distinct from the original Episcopal Church of England, the Anglicans where the original congregants worshipped. Each denomination established its unique and shared identity often exemplified by distinctive worship rituals, liturgy and practices. The denominations may have differing beliefs in minor doctrines or subtle nuances in the understanding of major doctrines.

However Christians soon realised there is much commonality and universality in their beliefs. These are, 

• the profession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour

• the Bible as the infallible, inerrant word of God

• the common baptism in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

Thus, ecumenism took roots whereby Christians, while belonging to different denominations, work together and develop closer relationships amongst and within churches.  

St Paul introduced Unity in Diversity using the example of the human body. Faced with differences in the early Christians, St Paul used the analogy of the different parts and functions of the human body to stress that these different parts can work together as one body with each part equally as important as the other.

'The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves and others are free. But we have all been baptised into one body by one Spirit and we all share the same Spirit. 

Yes the body has many different parts, not just one part. If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear says, "I am not an eye," would that not make it any less a part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would you hear? Or if the whole body were an ear, how would you smell anything?

But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where He wants it. How strange a body would be if it had only one part! Yes there are many parts but only one body. 1 Cor 12:12-19

The founding fathers of Singapore also recognised the value of Unity in Diversity and advanced the distinctiveness of the different races, cultures and religions within the polyglot nature of the country. They advocated that each be given its unique space and all others should recognise the different spaces. Yet, to live in harmony there needs to be a common shared space which every different community (spaces) should honour and identify ourselves. That common shared space should be upheld, defended and expressed. This is so much like the Christian understanding of the Body; the Anatomy of Unity.

Again and again Singaporeans are reminded that while we acknowledge our different identities we also share a common Singaporean identity. This was the theme in a recent Youth Conference, 'Weaving Multiple Identity, Forging Common Ground.' Mr Lawrence Wong, the Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore, speaking at that conference said, "We must be a society that celebrates all individuals for what they are, what they can achieve, and provides them with the opportunities to do better throughout their lives. But regardless of our diverse backgrounds, there's also something very special about the commonality we share, all of us as Singaporeans....It is in our attitudes, it is in our mindsets, and shared experiences." (Straits Times 25 Jul 2022).

A lack of understanding of this seemingly paradoxical concept of Unity in Diversity leads to misinterpreting Uniformity for Unity. Uniformity leads to the pressure to conform. 

Our modern culture promotes diversity and its ethos promotes individual rights. Individualism to the extreme can often challenge the community of the church we are building, the 'koinonia' of the local church. At the same time, we recognise our uniqueness and differences. Every one is welcome into the church family, whatever our status, however our individual preferences, our differences. Such welcome may bring the local church massive challenges but we want to live in close community with one another.

This will continue to be a ongoing challenge. Recognising differences and constantly refining and defining the common spaces apply just as much to churches as they apply to governments of multiracial societies. St Paul advocated being sensitive to these differences, yet caring for one another,

'So God has put the body together such that extra honour and care were given to those parts that have less dignity. This makes for harmony among members so that all the members care for each other.' 1 Cor 12:24-25 (NLT)

In things that matter we have One Lord, One Spirit, One Love. Though of many parts, we will find unity in Jesus Christ, The Church's One Foundation.

The church's one foundation

is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is his new creation
by water and the Word.
From heaven he came and sought her
to be his holy bride;
with his own blood he bought her,
and for her life he died.

Elect from every nation,
yet one o'er all the earth;
Her charter of salvation,
one Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses,
partakes one holy food,
and to one hope she presses,
with every grace endued.

Mid toil and tribulation,
and tumult of her war,
She waits the consummation
of peace forevermore;
Till, with the vision glorious,
her longing eyes are blest,
and the great church victorious
shall be the church at rest.

Yet she on earth hath union
with God the Three in One,
and mystic sweet communion
with those whose rest is won.
O happy ones and holy!
Lord, give us grace that we
like them, the meek and lowly,
on high may dwell with thee.

This solid foundation is the make up of an attractive church, an attractive community.

Lionel

The Distinctive Marks of Strong Christian Families

 

Amish Barn Raising

'The promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.' Acts 2:32

Civilizations and nations that thrive understand that underpinning their strength is the attention and priority to strong family principles and values. But, these days, children like to be independent at very early ages. This streak of independence and self-help is not wrong in itself; what will be missed is the sense of community and togetherness of strong families when times become difficult. 

Gotong Royong

In Singapore and Malaysia there is a Malay term ‘gotong-royong.’ Gotong Royong exist in the Malay kampongs (enclaves) where families will chip in and help another family in need or the whole community in a spirit of co-operation. You see this same spirit in the Amish community as noted by barn raisings. Neighbors freely give of their time and their skills to help one another. When children leave home too early without first capturing the gotong-royong or family spirit something will remain missing in their lives.

The Lee Family

Christianity emphasises the importance of keeping the family strong but at no other times are family values threatened and undervalued than in these modern times. To prevent this it may be useful for us to heed the guidance of God in establishing strong Christian principles of keeping our family together. Effective family life does not just happen; it’s the result of deliberate intention and practice. If countries are underpinned by strong families then strong families are undergirded by God's teachings. What are these principles?

 

Hear the Truth Continually. 

'Hear O Israel, the Lord is Our God, the Lord is one.' Deuteronomy 6:4 

Strong families lean hard on some unshakeable facts and this is a major one. The Lord is OUR God is not a statement to be uttered like some mantra but to be lived. The is not a personal matter but must be our family statement. Just as the Lord is One, the family is also one. 

Love the Lord fervently. 

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts.' Deuteronomy 6:5-6  

Underline the word ALL. Our love for God must be complete. It is not possible to transfer to our children a principle and then to propagate through the succeeding generations if we as parents do not personally embrace a love for God that permeates all of our being. The family’s love for God must be a deep down dedication. 

Teach the Young Diligently. 

'Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.' Deuteronomy 6:7

The take-home message here is one of intensity, to teach every time and every where. To do this, teaching must be such that it is done in very natural setting making use of every opportunity that life presents to point the children to God and His love. The teaching has to be consistent and in many ways repetitious. It is not only to be communicated with verbal cues but with visual cues, body language - parents must live the teaching.

Extended Lee Family

Fear the Lord Greatly. 

'I gave you land you have not worked on, and I gave you towns you did not build - the towns where you are now living. I gave you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them. So fear the lord and serve him wholehearted.... Serve the Lord alone.' Joshua 24:13-14  

The things we own, our wealth, our other blessings comes directly from God. God is always looking out for us. There is a saying 'do not bite the hand that feed you.' How easy when blessed to adopt a presumptuous and arrogant spirit? We are surrounded by other gods of materialism, fame, riches, power, ambition, etc. We need a healthy dose of the ‘fear of God,' the reverence and a wholesome respect for His sovereignty and primacy in our lives and our families. 

Strong families build strong houses. Strong families are also the underpinnings of strong churches. Welcome to the Family! 

Welcome to the family
We're glad that you have come
To share your life with us
As we grow in love and
May we always be to you
What God would have us be
A family always there
To be strong and to lean on,

May we learn to love each other
More with each new day
May words of love be on our lips
In everything we say
May the Spirit melt our hearts
And teach us how to pray
That we might be a true family

Lionel

Updated 1st Published 28 Jul 2007