Loved to Love - Irene Ng

Introduction:

After knowing that we are to submit an essay regarding certain topics, I was excited to be given the opportunity to delve into a theme derived from the Bible and expand on it from my perspective. The accomplishment-driven mindset was switched on and ready to go. However over the past two weeks of learning in STEP,  a continuous theme of ‘love’ showed itself to me — in devotions, in jovial conversations, through lectures and first-time experiences such as visiting a 91 year old lady and Mass on a Friday afternoon.

Very often, when ‘love’ and ‘God’ are discussed, we hear about agape, storge, philia and other forms of love including romantic and practical love (Neel, 2016). But these are usually used in the context of an only believers environment. What I was reminded via STEP was to extend this agape love towards non-believers as well. When we ate something delicious, we want to share and let more people know about it and taste how delectable it is.

The following sharing will be my take on what STEP has taught me thus far.

External : Community

We had the chance to visit the elderly in the Jalan Bukit Merah estate on the first Wednesday afternoon. In groups of fours and fives, and a heart of nervous excitement and pure intentions, we set off to the house assigned to us in Blk 104. Before we entered, we prayed for wisdom for speech and behaviour, and for her to be receptive towards us. When we left, I knew we were really praying for us to be receptive towards her. At the grand age of 91, she had a heart much younger than her body; she entertained us and helped us feel at ease. I felt ashamed, assuming that she will be a frail senile elderly who needs our help. She had the most energy out of us there. She shared about how the SAC organised activities that were entertaining and engaging for the elderly folk and that the staff were benevolent. I felt grateful for the roots that God has provided for us in people and places.

Through the sharing by the staff of Sarah Senior Activity Centre, their desire to serve more is evident and extremely encouraging to us. Social work is not easy but when we as Christians get into it, knowing that God is for us; things become manageable and we fear less and dare to do more. As I am currently pursuing a Bachelor in Counselling, having a firsthand experience with what might be my job scope next time; I felt Him patting my head and telling me that it was the right choice to study Counselling and also to join STEP.

A week later, we visited HealthServe and had the chance to converse with mainland Chinese foreign workers who were not working due to work injuries or conflicts with their employees. Being able to talk and eat with them at face level broke down social barriers and made me see them as admirable individuals who sacrificed their health, time and self-esteem for potentially better lives for their families back home.

So how does these experiences tie up to love then? It’s very unfortunate that I/we get reminded of how much help is needed only after encountering such experiences. From what I saw, I saw how people who have experienced God’ love and providence and wanting to share it to people who have yet experienced it. Whether this is done by evangelism through volunteers, or actions by staff; testimonies of the elderly and foreign workers being more receptive towards Christian staff were good reminders that we should share what God intended for everyone.

Internal : STEP

Right off the bat, I felt comfortable amongst them despite not actually knowing who they are except that we are all in the same age group, attending Presbyterian churches and presumably Chinese. It is undeniable that Christ’s love does bond people, and I am very glad that I get to experience it with the rest in STEP. Since the first day till now, there was only edification and friendships being built. One may say that because we knew this is only a temporary situation; however, the fellowship created is full of genuine respect and graciousness towards every member. It is something that I treasure every day whilst attending STEP, I felt that I was experiencing what the believers did in Jerusalem after the Pentecost (Acts 2:42-47).

When someone do not know which passage to flip to, feels cold, needs a tissue, another will step in immediately to help. Initiative is huge in this group and there was no need for politics, which is almost unfathomable. I am extremely thankful for how much God is loving us through this channel.

Application

Reverend Peter Chan shared on ‘shema’, the Hebrew word for ‘listen’ which covers ‘hear’ and ‘do’, which I realised is what we are learning now. After hearing and absorbing new information about the community, the church and the people; we need to act on what we know. I was really encouraged by the community work and know even more that, I have a purpose for what I am learning in school. Also, I learnt to do what the Word says and not forget once I turn away (James 1:22-25).

I felt encouraged and brought the same mindset back home; to love God the most, to love His people the best (Bloom, 2016). And praise to God that truly, when our minds are focused on glorifying God in our lives, people around will see that and reflect upon that.

I prayed for wisdom and approached people who I previously felt unsure about and displayed care and prayed for them. As I listened to a friend shared about her concerns, I felt courage from the Holy Spirit to probe her more, while applying soft skills I have learnt. If not for His presence, I would not have the eloquence to ask her the right questions to help her see that her situation was not hopeless and that she does have support in people in her life.

Reflections

I pray for all of us that we will be as fervent as we were in STEP when it ends, and that people interacting with us will see His work in us. I pray that we can apply what we learnt not only in church, in fellowship, with people we know; but also with people who have not yet known Him, our colleagues, our friends, our family. I pray for courage for all who believe in Him, that we trust in Him with all our heart no matter what, and to remember to praise Him all the more.

By time, STEP is a 3-week programme during holidays for us to learn more about Presbyterianism. However, we learnt more than that. We learnt about the sacrifices made for the reformation to happen, about how theologians debate on the structure of worship, about the differences in denominations. We also learnt about how much we have now due to historic events, about how much we do not know, about how there is no one complete right way to worship God in church.

Most importantly, we learnt through all the lessons and conversations to glorify Him, to praise Him and to love Him in all circumstances because he first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Reference

Bloom, J. (2016). If We Love God Most, We Will Love Others Best. Desiring God. Retrieved 29 May 2017, from http://www.desiringgod.org/articles/if-we-love-god-most-we-will-love-others-best

Neel, B. (2016). These Are the 7 Types of Love. Psychology Today. Retrieved 29 May 2017, from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hide-and-seek/201606/these-are-the-7-types-love