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Serving Our Neighbour
I’ve been reflecting upon this since a long while back.
Remember those tissue sellers who always bug you at the hawker centres or along Orchard Road? They always seem to encamp at the same spot. Since I started work at Mandarin Gallery, I’m always approached by this old Indian lady selling tissues at the cross junction daily without fail. I wonder if she recognises that day after day I’ve been rejecting her offer. Every night there’s also this old auntie who’ll lay down a picnic mat and display all her wares of daily household items for sale – can food, instant noodles, and perhaps things donated to her by some welfare groups.
Somehow I find that our perspective and reactions to these people have been so conditioned that our hearts are hardened.
We think perhaps, our money’s much better invested in the Church;
They probably ain’t so needy anyways;
Some professional social workers’re gonna tend to them;
This is not a long term solution, they need a mainstream job;
“The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me”;
“This is someone else’s ministry, not mine.”
I’ve nothing against the types of responses mentioned above. I’m just saddened by the critical spirit that has some how crept into my heart and perhaps yours.
Critical about serving, skeptical about the plight of the needy.
Concern about spiritual providence more than physical providence.
Prudence about where our money’s being invested.
They are hindering us from actually giving to the cause of the needy. It ain’t just about giving to the Church so the Church can give to the needy.
YOU ARE the Church.
The next time you see these people, slow down your steps; pause for a moment and take a deep look into their eyes; and who knows you might just see Jesus face to face.
Resurrection
I called through your door,
“The mystics are gathering in the street. Come out!”
“Leave me alone. I’m sick.”
“I don’t care if you’re dead! Jesus is here, and he wants to resurrect somebody!”Jellaludin Rumi
Knowing and Not Knowing
The further the leader goes in the journey of minding a gap, the more unexpected gifts “happen” to sustain the journey. The leader does not have all the answers, but he does have a story in which wisdom, faith, a compelling sense of call and vocation, and skills of improvisation have been learned. Within the journey itself, leaders gain the wisdom to trust that God will provide what is needed for the next step.
Leading is not about knowing where you are going. It is about starting somewhere and then taking a next faithful step, then another and another. Thus one of the greatest skills leaders must learn in the journey is the art of improvisation – of navigating very concrete contexts with the right measure of knowing and not knowing.
Reconciling All Things, Emmanuel Katongole & Chris Rice
Why
I wake up every morning without fail, wondering if the work I’m doing is even worth the time and effort. If you applied the principles of economics you’ll find that it’s maximum input producing minimum output. I see little point in it. Just for some crazy idea born in the midst of hurrahs, plagued by a series of systematic mismanagement, structural failures and unfortunate tragedies. It’s a constant struggle. It feels even worse to struggle alone. Sometimes I wonder if I can be like Jonah and run away from this mental prison and from everything.
If only there’s a fish to swallow me up for good.
Okay, back to the harsh reality.
