SRCC - A Mission Driven Church
Where there is no vision, people perish.
Almost a century before Christopher Columbus discovered America, or Vasco Da Gama set foot in India, there was an Admiral by the name of Zheng He, whom described how the emperor of the Ming Dynasty had ordered him to sail to "the countries beyond the horizon," all the way to the end of the earth." His mission was to display the might of Chinese power and collect tribute from the "barbarians from beyond the seas."
The Yong Le emperor had ambitious plans. A vigorous man, he rebuilt the Great Wall to the condition in which it exists today. He also built his new capital at Beijing, next to the remains of the former Yuan capital. The emperor decided to go ahead with the sea voyages that had long been planned. He appointed Zheng He to lead them and gave him the title "Admiral of the Western Seas."
At each country Zheng He visited, he was to present gifts from the emperor and to exact tribute for the glory of the Ming. The Chinese had a unique view of foreign relations. Because China developed its culture in isolation from other great civilization, it says itself as the center of the world. The Chinese called their country "the Middle Kingdom."
In 1405 Zheng He set out on his first voyage. No nation on earth had ever sent such a fleet onto the ocean. It included sixty-two large ships, some 600 feet long, larger than any other on the seas, much larger that that of European countries. Hundreds of smaller vessels accompanied them. A Chinese historian described them; "The ships which sail the Southern Sea are like houses. When their sails are spread they are like great clouds in the sky."
When Zheng He came back from his seventh voyage in 1433, he was sixty-two years old. It was not easy for him, as he had accomplished much for China, sailing through stormy seas and unfamiliar lands, having to cope with illness and disgruntled crew members whom failed to see the immediate fruits of their labour. When the emperor ordered him to return, he bravely refused, vowing to soldier on with the mission until he reaches Africa, risking his life for what he believed was greater cause. Though he died soon afterward, his exploits had won him fame, spreading the glory of the Middle Kingdom to many countries that now sent tribute and ambassadors to the court. Plays and novels were written about his voyages. In such places as Malacca and Java, towns, caves, and temples were named after him.
However, a new Ming emperor had come to the throne. His scholar-officials criticized Zheng He's achievements, complaining about their great expenses which nearly bankrupted the nation whose people have more pressing everyday needs. China was now fighting another barbarian enemy on its western borders and needed to devote its resources to that struggle as well. When a court favorite wanted to continue Zheng He's voyages, he was turned down. To make sure, the court officials burnt the travel logs that Zheng He had kept about his journeys to various countries. What remains as documentation of his voyages now only come from the pillar and some accounts that his crew members wrote.
Thus, China abandoned its overseas voyages and turned its back on the world. It was a fateful decision, for just at that time, Portugal was beginning to send its ships down the west coast of Africa. In the centuries that followed, European explorers would sail to all parts of the world. They would establish colonies in Africa, America, and finally in the nations of East Asia. China would suffer because it had turned its back on exploration. Zheng He had started the process that might have led the Middle Kingdom to greater glory. Unfortunately the rulers of the Ming Dynasty refused to follow his lead.
What's the difference between these 2 parties? Both have valid points for arguments, but only one had a vision to see the bigger picture, the other was more concerned and focused with problems at hand.
In the same context as we look at God's people today, are we more concerned with material things / personal gain which will one day pass away? Or the things of eternal value?
June has been one heck of a ride, from a new posting in O&G to the Southern Region church camp, something which I have been looking forward to. Initially, I was a bit concerned about not being able to make it for the camp, having been told that my current department is short of staff (the current people are doing alternate day on calls), what more the harsh working environment, making it difficult to obtain leave. Many people have said that taking emergency leave would leave a black mark on one's service record, what more in my current department but nevertheless I decided to put God 1st whatever the consequences, so I planned my leave a week earlier, feeling apprehensive on whether my specialist would even approve, as the department was seriously short of staff. Miraculously, she did, and I was on my way to Port Dickson for 4 days.
It was a camp which served up a lot of reminders. Initially I was quite disappointed and a thought actually slipped by that this is a waste of time and effort for me, since for the 4th year in a row (since I was a medical student), I was the only representative from my uni. However, having found out the reasons why my fellow colleagues were unable to make it, led me to remind myself that there is much that needs to be done in terms of supporting each other in prayer throughout challenges and helping each other grow and see the value of such events.
1st thing I got reminded of during the camp was to be thankful, knowing that as we choose to honour God, He will honour us and open a way. A fellow MO from Batu Pahat told me that I should count myself lucky, since not all departments will approve your emergency leave without consequences. I learnt to treasure opportunities to spend time with God, as well as brothers and sisters from other centres and countries (Hope India and Indonesia). Was really touched by the desire shown by them, 1 brother waited 1 year for his passport, while because of their culture, 2 sisters had to go through great lengths just to come to Malaysia - they had to travel and seek permission from all their relatives (uncles, grandparents etc), scattered throughout the many different districts in India. Even if 1 family member objects to their trip, they are not allowed to proceed. Despite several objections, eventually they managed to make it here. It really encouraged me a lot, especially when we tend to take many things for granted.
As a heart preparation, I told God that as much as I was going through a stressful time, I did not intend for this camp to just be a momentary stress reliever away from work, I wanted something more for the long term. For some reason the word that kept coming back was to trust in Him. Trust, that was the word for the season. Trust that despite the lifegroup is not seeing any results / growth at the moment, trust that although I have many weaknesses and may not be sure how He will use me, as long as I humbly say, "Here am I, use me," He will work in the background. Pastor once again shared his testimony of his humble beginnings when he was growing up, and how he 1st started the church in JB.
God has been at work without me realising. At times I do struggle from a lack of security according to my shepherd, ie I mind what people say or think of me, and find it difficult to accept what I perceive to be my own incompetencies - even recently some of my nightmares during my sleep reminded me of this challenge. It's difficult to learn to trust God when you are walking through a minefield, that is O&G. But why I mentioned that God is at work is because during my preliminary assessment with one of the consultants, try as I may, I received a quite a bad scolding.. initially I thought I had failed, but later my colleague came and told me that I was given a pass. Another reason came when during the weekend, I was still able to attend Sunday service on some days, although we work everyday without an off day, something which I am grateful for, although I do feel sleepy during the sermon due to fatigue. Some days I was even able to join lifegroup.
I was complaining to God why has he put me in a busy period and stressful department, when now is the holiday time in UTM for the brothers and sisters there to help pioneer something in Monash, or even why everytime when I am on-call, things tend to get busy / go horribly wrong. I guess He is trying to remind me to be humble and depend on Him, since His strength is made perfect in my weakness. Also at the end of the day, it is not by might nor by power but by His Spirit - God is the one who makes the seed grow.
Was grateful that in busy times, when you don't really have time to do much, God is still a God who listens to prayer. He knows what we will ask even before we actually do. My nametag has been missing for 2 days in the hospital, and despite turning my room upside down and searching all over the place which I could remember, I could not find it. I do not have the time to get a photo and make a new one at the office, so all I could do muster was a simple prayer and belief that my nametag would come back to me (before Friday's CME attendance). True enough, on Thursday, one of my MOs found my nametag in the ward. Really thank God for this little testimony.
Despite the lack of sleep and fatigue, through the many weeks of LG and Saturday prayer group in Monash, was encouraged to see how a fellow colleague had the desire and burden to commit more, as he sees the spiritual hunger in this place. Another was discouraged with the repeated rejections she face. Sad as it might be, it was an opportunity to encourage and remind them (and me) how it is not necessarily the end result that matters, but at times how such things can aid our faith. Whatever the outcome, give our best to God and leave the outcome to Him, coz it is not how much we do/say, it's the life transformation in our daily experiences that we desire people to notice and give glory to God.
Compelled by God's love, you would be surprised how walking across a darkened stretch of road, braving poor lighting and high speed traffic just to meet the needs of somebody could go a long way in bringing that person to LG (even if it was only once). Another example was a fellow Aussie housemate, how she kept turning down my invitation for LG, but as I kept inviting and sharing, to a point she asked me why I kept inviting her, she felt flattered. I shared what I see in the LG and church, and she joined us in the weeks to come, even during exams. During one of the uni holidays, leaders invited her to join Mandarin lifegroup (she does speak Mandarin for a Westerner). Usually foreigners get around in Malaysia by taxi. What encouraged me was how she took the effort to find out how to take bus for half an hour all the way to lifegroup. These little things really make you feel worthwhile in investing your life in others.
2 Chronicles 7:14 - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
