 |
| The marks left by creepers that were removed. Along Mt Sophia stairs to Synod Office. As we grow, we leave "marks" in our lives, in the lives of people around us, and in everything we do. Therefore it is important to place God first in all considerations and have the faith that things will fall naturally in place. |
It has been a privilege to be able to learn about our Presbyterian heritage and the continuation of the legacy left behind by the missionaries. Politics, colonialism, sea trade, and migration, have played a major role in the spread and development of religion. In retrospect, I now understand and better appreciate the origins of Presbyterianism, its beginnings in South East Asia and the 'Chinese heritage' of my own church. When I look back at how far we have come, I am humbled and awed by how much God has blessed the Presbyterian churches at every turn of events in history.
I am humbled because our lives are all but one small speck in the timeline history of Mankind. Yet, in our short time span, God uses individuals to impact and create transformations in His community. Reflectively, this makes me wonder, if we knew our lives will leave a mark on history or on those around us, how would we live our lives? If we never knew, would we have lived our lives any different? Putting myself in the shoes of our missionary 'forefathers', did they know then at that time how their work and service would grow or shrink? Or how it would impact future generations of believers?
I am humbled because our lives are all but one small speck in the timeline history of Mankind. Yet, in our short time span, God uses individuals to impact and create transformations in His community. Reflectively, this makes me wonder, if we knew our lives will leave a mark on history or on those around us, how would we live our lives? If we never knew, would we have lived our lives any different? Putting myself in the shoes of our missionary 'forefathers', did they know then at that time how their work and service would grow or shrink? Or how it would impact future generations of believers?
No. However, they continued in their work, trusting in the provenance of God. Just like how water ripples travel across the water surface over time, the impacts of their work would be revealed eventually. Faith is being able to see the invisible in the visible world. As long as we live in accordance to God's will and have faith in Him, we will be vessels of God.
Through the talk by Prof. Lee Soo Ann, I am awed by the way history has shaped the Christianity scene in South East Asia and Singapore in the present day. God really works in amazing ways. I realised that it is very important for churches to adapt to changes in society, specifically to the needs of their congregation (e.g. changes in the use of primary language or mother tongue for the delivery of God's messages). However, we should be conscious to ensure that the church does not lose or alter the real meaning and purpose of its existence amidst all the shifts - that is, to base the running of church on reformed doctrine, the Westminster Confessions of Faith and to carry out God's Commission (Matthew 28: 16-20).
Through the talk by Prof. Lee Soo Ann, I am awed by the way history has shaped the Christianity scene in South East Asia and Singapore in the present day. God really works in amazing ways. I realised that it is very important for churches to adapt to changes in society, specifically to the needs of their congregation (e.g. changes in the use of primary language or mother tongue for the delivery of God's messages). However, we should be conscious to ensure that the church does not lose or alter the real meaning and purpose of its existence amidst all the shifts - that is, to base the running of church on reformed doctrine, the Westminster Confessions of Faith and to carry out God's Commission (Matthew 28: 16-20).
Michelle Quak
No comments:
Post a Comment