Growing into our Calling and Destiny
There are megachurches here which in the minds of some, sets the benchmark of what a church should be, much like how every brand of tablet computer is reference back to IPad. This is inevitable in a small competitive society like ours, where every person is encouraged to max their potential and to discern (through comparison) what is the best. Just read Strait Times and you can see daily that there is a constant fixation with Top 10 lists. It is a part of our social psyche: How are we doing in comparison with others? How can we be better?
And in a globalised world, more than ever before, we are more aware of what is happening elsewhere. We have lost a sense of the place of the “local village”, and like past migration communities (e.g. Hakkas, which I am one), there is a migrating mentality as we “mass towards metropolis,” constantly looking for the bigger and better. We are never settled.
When my daughter was about to receive her exam results, I reminded her that I have encountered some of the unhappiest folks when I was in Uni. One reason is this ‘more mentality.’ A person is never be happy or contented. Except for some fleeting moments of euphoria at high points of achievements, the relentless and unhappy journey continues for the ‘more.’ I do not want her to have this attitude.
Now, how do we see the church? Are we imposing our expectations on her? I was rereading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together recently. He said that we need to give up our personal expectation or ideals of what a community should be and accept the “Christ-reality” of who she is. Only then, can we truly be a part of the community. If not, we become a danger to her! Food for thought!
What if we stop “Ipad-ing” SJC, and let her find her own destiny? What if we stop expecting SJC should be and start being involved in building up this community? What if we “glory” in planting churches, here and overseas, with equal passion, even as we seek to see SJC grow? What if we focus our passion in ministries which do not add numbers or prestige to the church but yet it is definitely the heart of what Gospel ministry is about?
What if we stop seeking for more and ask what we are doing with what we have? Will we set aside our own expectations and accept this “Christ-reality” in SJC? Will we be faithful to His calling and be responsible stewards of His gifts? Will you move from being a spectator and start participating in the life and ministry of this community?