A Return Behind The Mic Stand

On Mothers' Day last month, I had the privilege to songlead in Lemuel's church (I guess we'll have to refer to him as Pastor Lemuel now). My mom was invited to preach that Sunday, & initially I was charged to be her driver. But then something came up & somehow I was invited to songlead. The church was also short of musicians that day, so I immediately seized the opportunity to ask my favourite keyboardist, Ken Chung, to come along. It was great to receive an immediate positive response from him.

You see, almost 10 months ago, Ken Chung & I (and also May) made the decision to step down from the music ministry. It wasn't an easy choice - we love playing good music, we knew our calling as musicians, & our band has come a long way. But this was a decision we knew we had to make, & having a friend along made it much simplier. So with the opportunity to return behind the mic stand, I was very pleased to have Ken Chung as a band member again.

We had to practise on Sunday morning itself. Had Jason & Joshua to provide the bass & the drums, while Lemuel played the electric guitar. Yet, in spite of the rush & playing with strangers, both Ken Chung & I felt at ease - it was almost like we never left. I believe that's the anointing of God upon us, confirming & assuring us of our calling once again, and telling us the season to return to the music ministry is near. For that, I am grateful.

I'll have to disagree

NO - having a pastor who follows God wholeheartedly isn't nearly as good as having Jesus Himself leading the church.


My brain just froze after typing the statement above. Why? Because it's hard to imagine a situation where one has to make such a statement. It's a no-brainer. How can someone compare a pastor to Pastor Jesus, and then say both are just as good? No no no... No no no. NO!!

There are pastors whom I personally know and have tremendous respect for - including my parents and my brother. They are wonderful people who pursue God's heart with great passion. But they are not and will never be just as good as Pastor Jesus. No one will be as good - that knowledge is the starting point for salvation!! Perhaps there are certain aspects of their ministry or their character which are like our Saviour - but never as good as. I would have Jesus Christ as my pastor any day of the week. I'm sure pastors I know will share my preference.

Justice, Compassion, Love

Micah 6:6 - 8 raises a very important question - one we should ask often - What is pleasing & good in the sight of our God? Is it our giving, our sacrifices, songs, & various acts of service unto him? The answer - act justly, love mercy, walk humbly.

Jesus also spoke on this in Matthew 23:23 - citing justice, faith, & mercy as weightier matters of the law. Yes He did!! According to Jesus, these are more important things that we must not neglect. Paul resounded the importance of the matter in 1 Cor 13:1-3. And it is simply summed like this - without love, nothing we do - be it of good intentions or with great excellence - would matter.


I believe a shift in focus is necessary. The church, collectively, needs that. After all, the church is the body of Christ, purposed & empowered to do good & spread love on this earth. For too long we have been focusing on excelling in the duties we perform within the 4 walls of our building. Even our best 'reaching out' efforts are mostly aimed at bringing people into the church first.

I look at myself, & things I'm supposedly good at - song leading, script writing, teaching... All these are good gifts from God, but so far I've been using them effectively only within a church setting. I can think of so many good things we do within the church, but my brain gets stuck when it comes to schools, neighbourhoods, cafes, community halls, etc. It's not that we don't care - it's that we don't care enough to think more about it.

I'm not saying that excelling in church duties & in-house evangelistic programmes are wrong; I'm asking if those are the only things we know how to do.I'm talking about a shift in focus, a change of paradigm.

John 13:35 - By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. 

Beeka

Rabeeka has been a close friend to May and I. The sleep-overs, car-rides, conversations, mahjong sessions - both our lives have been blessed by her friendship. This picture was taken on Tuesday, where Rabeeka gave us a Korean treat. Although it felt a bit strange (it's the first time she's treating us), it was a memorial occasion & it made me feel really really good (I don't know how else to express my feeling). I thank God for knitting us together.