I just spoke silence with the seeker next to me
She had a heart with hesitant, halting speech
That turned to mine and asked belligerently
What do I live for
I see the scars of searches everywhere I go
From hearts to wars to literature to radio
There's a question like a shame no one will show
What do I live for
We are Hosea's wife
We are squandering this life
Using people like ladders and words like knives
If we've eyes to see
If we've ears to hear
To find it in our hearts and mouths the word that saves is near
Shed that shallow skin
Come and live again
Leave all you were before
To believe is to begin
Having been back in Singapore for more than 3 weeks, I'm starting to see the lack of awareness that Singaporeans have. Friends always comment on how Americans have no idea about what is happening around the world, what difference is Singapore to these? I don't know, I having been praying that God may open my eyes to things around me, to perspectives that I may not have observed before. And I believe he has. I'm starting to see how most people live in their own bubbles.
I had the experience in the Survival Camp to be completely and utterly plunged into a world where I may have chosen to ignore. A large percentage of people are selfish. There's no other word to describe them. I can't say I'm completely giving and selfless. Yet the level at which people think about themselves is appalling. They did not understand my heart for the community. And even after constant heart to heart talks with them, there was no change in their attitude towards the community.
At the end of it I felt quite an aching pain, in my heart. That generations of people here grow up to think about what they want, what they desire. Yet that desire and want is restricted to their own little bubble. They don't see the needs of others. I'm not trying to say that I'm a "Mother Theresa" in anyway for I admit that I do behave like this all the time. Yet God has opened my eyes to see, things that need to be changed in our society.
We need generations who believe that they are responsible for the community. My focus this time during the Survival Camp, I felt , was turned from children, to the counselors. It was not deliberate yet I found myself incredibly bothered by some, and encouraged by others. I believe God is showing me what this community needs. Generations who will be that change. "Be the change you want to see" We need people to start thinking that way. It is not about religion, it is about Love. The ultimate Love of Jesus Christ is that only way we can see change. But every action counts.
We see churches singing about saving nations, reaching out to people who needs Christ. Yet, people still gladly sit in their own bubble, in their comfort zones. This is what hurts the most. to see christians who do not see the need to reach out to the community. "Faith without deeds is dead" Jesus was always about the crowds. Never about himself. God wants us to imitate the life of Jesus, to be like him, share in the fellowship of his sufferings. We say " I want to be like Jesus" all the time. Where is that action? The faith sure is there, but it is lifeless unless we do something.
I pray that God will raise up a generation who will impact people in Singapore to take that step to rise up. That christians may stop saying and believing, but start doing. The worst thing we could be doing is to revel in the love of Christ, and not share it with people who need it the most.
The build up to my Sri Lanka Trip in July has made me very aware of my surroundings. Of people, of the community. I've constantly been thinking about how Nations need Christ. I'm not a big time preacher who can organise big rallies to preach to thousands. I want to impact lives one by one, from within the community. I'm small, but my God is big. I pray that God may use me in ways I cannot imagine. That what I want, may be what God wants. His plan, His desire.
