Come Together: Reaching Out, Reaching Up
Vicar Writes – 9th August 2009
Come Together: Reaching Out, Reaching Up
This year’s national theme is COME TOGETHER: Reaching Out (to one another); Reaching Up (to our aspirations, hopes). It is a great theme. I copy here an excerpt from the NDP website:
“We should be rightfully proud of our independence and our way of life. We should not take it for granted. As we are facing challenging times, it is perhaps even more significant that we rally round and reach out to our fellow Singaporeans. And we should be confident that we can and will continue to reach up to our hopes and aspirations.”
Indeed there is so much to be thankful for what Singapore has become today. At a quick glance, some may conclude that the NDP message sounds “Christian.” And so, we give ourselves three cheers that the Church is ‘in’. Or should we? Is it a surprise to us that the values of Christ (and those who follow him) should square with that of any inspiring society? As a pastor, I am concern with not so much whether the nation treats the church well but with whether the church is contributing to her the way we are called to.
And how do we contribute? The passages in the book of Ephesians, including the one read this morning, is everything about how Christians play their part to strengthen their community. For most, politics are experienced personally and locally. Ask a tourist who had just been robbed about what he thinks of the nation. Ask a heartlander how he feels when he experienced first-hand the impact of community politics and jostling rather than genuine community care. The newspapers may splash with wonderful stories of our politicians and our national progress, and indeed, they are true. But the society can only be as real as those who control his life at his block. Whether he ends up enthused or disillusioned about society, depends on those closest to him.
Christians have an incredible opportunity to make a difference. You don’t need the podium or media ink. You just need to be ‘salt and light” (both working only in proximity). That is how any nation is built – block by block, person by person. And as we do so, we also need to remember the huge number of foreigners in our midst who are helping us to build this nation. Pause to pray for them.
So, Come Together. Reach Out to someone. Reach UP in prayer and praise. And may our Lord be glorified in our lives and our nation.