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!

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