Yesterday we sang “Channels Only, Of Your Power”.
Channels Only, Blessed Master,
But will all your wondrous pow’r.
Flowing through us, you can use us everyday and every hour.
I glanced at the English lyrics for a moment. Prior to that, I realized my brain tried to associate this song with another matter, when I was lying on my bed. (It is just strange how thoughts come about).
The Stamford Canal drainage system was blocked, causing Orchard Road to flood recently. It was quite a big HOO HA and perhaps God was trying to say something to us.
A canal exist to channel water to where it should flow to and when we talk about flow, it is continuous. So, a clogged canal will not function properly.
If we are channels of God’s power, are we clogged up, hindering the flow?
Are our hearts submissive to God, willing to do His will?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Making more sense
Thanks for the reminder, Fu Xing. I think I was guilty of it at some point last year, when I realised I was discomforted when served by my juniors. It was really a humbling experience when God revealed the subtleties of my pride to me. Through it, I have seen the beauty of the intricate network running through the body of Christ.
The sad thing is, it doesn’t really happen very often.
That isn’t to say that the structure (the network) itself is faulty but in our self-loving nature, we stop the network from working effectively.
It’s not that we don’t see others’ needs – we do! In fact, sometimes it is conveyed explicitly, making it impossible for one to plea oblivion, but instead of putting our hearts into it and getting our hands dirty, our minds jumpstart to deflect any sort of responsibility with our human reason.
There are very real and undesirable consequences, some I see pertaining to Dominant 7th.
A ministry cannot rest on just one person. One person is not much of a network. When the members are unwilling to take ownership and responsibility towards this choir, most of the work rests on the leader – decision-making, planning, administration, logistics…It can get quite helpless when I hear grouses and excuses when someone is asked to set up the mikes, bring down the speakers, lead warm-ups/sharings/prayers…Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still gladly do these if no one offers to help. But there’s just something very wrong here: we’re not designed to work alone!
Burnout issues aside, the leader has his/her blind spots and will need biblical reminders, admonishments, discussions to make God-pleasing decisions. Where else is s/he to get them from except from fellow brothers and sisters, who are steeped in truth and walk in the light?
Please pray with me, that we will be moved to help one another serve Him better and our motivations be found in Christ alone!
The sad thing is, it doesn’t really happen very often.
That isn’t to say that the structure (the network) itself is faulty but in our self-loving nature, we stop the network from working effectively.
It’s not that we don’t see others’ needs – we do! In fact, sometimes it is conveyed explicitly, making it impossible for one to plea oblivion, but instead of putting our hearts into it and getting our hands dirty, our minds jumpstart to deflect any sort of responsibility with our human reason.
There are very real and undesirable consequences, some I see pertaining to Dominant 7th.
A ministry cannot rest on just one person. One person is not much of a network. When the members are unwilling to take ownership and responsibility towards this choir, most of the work rests on the leader – decision-making, planning, administration, logistics…It can get quite helpless when I hear grouses and excuses when someone is asked to set up the mikes, bring down the speakers, lead warm-ups/sharings/prayers…Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still gladly do these if no one offers to help. But there’s just something very wrong here: we’re not designed to work alone!
Burnout issues aside, the leader has his/her blind spots and will need biblical reminders, admonishments, discussions to make God-pleasing decisions. Where else is s/he to get them from except from fellow brothers and sisters, who are steeped in truth and walk in the light?
Please pray with me, that we will be moved to help one another serve Him better and our motivations be found in Christ alone!
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose…do not merely look out for your own personal interests but also for the interests of others.Philippians 2: 1-2, 4
Monday, June 21, 2010
How it made more sense
Recently, my 写照 was published on 风铃 and I drew out the implications of 1 Cor 12:12-26.
"With God's glory at stake, are we behaving like we can continue serving God without one another's help?"
It was a general question, written not with the intention to pin-point anyone specifically, but to keep us in check of our attitude in service. This question made more sense when I read one of my devotions last week. This is what the author said:
Why is it so hard for me to accept help, especially when a dozen people have offered? In a small way, my attitude smacks of Peter's response to Jesus when the Lord was ready to wash his feet. "What? You, wash my feet? No way, I can't let you serve me like that! You have more important things to do! I'll do it myself!" Guess what's at the center of that attitude? The desire not to "inconvenience" anyone because "I can do it, really" is often intertwined with simple, sinful pride. Accepting help means accepting my limits. It means being humbled by others' service, and I'd rather not, thank you.
Perhaps she is right. The possibility is there. Personally, I think guys have this tendency to take a load more than they can manage. Sadly, the more we try to uphold the masculine front, the more our foolishness and pride become visible. This behavior seems to express the idea that we believe in God but at the same time, believe that we have the strength to take our matters to our own hands.
Where is the humility? Are we really doing things and "DIYing" things out of love and not out of pride? May the Lord humble us as we come to help one another carry burdens.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Galatians 6:2-3)
"With God's glory at stake, are we behaving like we can continue serving God without one another's help?"
It was a general question, written not with the intention to pin-point anyone specifically, but to keep us in check of our attitude in service. This question made more sense when I read one of my devotions last week. This is what the author said:
Why is it so hard for me to accept help, especially when a dozen people have offered? In a small way, my attitude smacks of Peter's response to Jesus when the Lord was ready to wash his feet. "What? You, wash my feet? No way, I can't let you serve me like that! You have more important things to do! I'll do it myself!" Guess what's at the center of that attitude? The desire not to "inconvenience" anyone because "I can do it, really" is often intertwined with simple, sinful pride. Accepting help means accepting my limits. It means being humbled by others' service, and I'd rather not, thank you.
Perhaps she is right. The possibility is there. Personally, I think guys have this tendency to take a load more than they can manage. Sadly, the more we try to uphold the masculine front, the more our foolishness and pride become visible. This behavior seems to express the idea that we believe in God but at the same time, believe that we have the strength to take our matters to our own hands.
Where is the humility? Are we really doing things and "DIYing" things out of love and not out of pride? May the Lord humble us as we come to help one another carry burdens.
Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Galatians 6:2-3)
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