p a s s i o n + r e a s o n

Here's some thoughts about Alfred Lam's sermon, this past week.

It's difficult trying to use my time well, nevermind resources and other things. However, although we are given different talents, capabilities, intellectual power, etc., we are all given the same amount of time. And using the maxim, "Time is money", we need to use our time to invest in the Kingdom.

So, to recall the sermon, Alfred said that the truth is, "The end may come at any time." And he gives two principles:

• Principle of Management - we have been entrusted with things. We are not owners but managers.
  
• Principle of Accounting - one day he will demand a reporting.

The idea of worship as us doing our jobs - our profession - with excellence connects with Dr. Wheaton's sermon from March 30th (don't you like it when sermons connect with life and then back with each other?)

However, this sermon is not solely about individualistic reflection, as vital and necessary it is. God's kingdom is about us laying down ourselves to God and for the other - and better to do it with excellence! I am reminded of the African concept (and theology) of Ubuntu - "I am because you are". Rev. Lam's sermon had a bunch of stats about the state of our world. Only some 1% of the world's population has post-secondary education, many more are without shelter, food... and we, the rich first world (and the Christians in it), live off the backs of the poor, yes really. Through Hosea 6:6, God says, "For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings." (NIV) This shameful reminder should not just inflict our consciences, but should motivate us to be creative, crafty, and seek out opportunities to "be good news", shouldn't it?

Jumping to another thing: something that Enoch said about "formulas" reminded me about the ideas of spiritual laws. They are analogous to physical laws, such as the law of gravity. You may disbelieve these laws, but there's no arguing with gravity if you tried step off a cliff or a building. Some of the spiritual laws that I have "observed" include the Golden Rule: "Do unto others...". On Sunday, the idea of giving to God and knowing he gives back - in abundance - is a spiritual principle many of you, including me, testified of. However, focusing on this formula receiving (of more) seems to limit the principles. (In addition, I have observed that God blesses our giving in mysterious ways - like giving an "intangible" - for example a sense of peace.)

So in the spirit of "it is more blessed to give than to receive", how have your initiatives (which we shared at the end of class - remember?) performed this week?

I'll start: I wanted to continue research on the issue of the Digital Divide, and I have been. I'm engaged in reading and dialoguing at Harvard Law School's BOLD 2003 (Berkman Online Lecture and Discussion) web site. This issue fascinates me because according to research, ICT plays a critical role in establishing basic economic linkages. ICT development in the third world - such as bringing in Internet connectivity, among many other things - is important, because it is an essential enabler for boosting productivity, creates a climate for job creation, investment, and sustainable growth. In other words, I can make a living helping bring economic progress to the poor, doing what I enjoy, AND in the grand scheme of things - be a part of furthering God's kingdom here on earth.

How about you? It just starts with one simple action...

Posted by at 8:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Our disucssion this past Sunday was earnest, passionate, and rewarding. I do believe we (as a class) came up with more questions than straight, pat answers. Without too much noise from my soapbox, here's the introduction from the sermon notes again:

For too many of us, our daily "work" is a necessary evil that distracts us from the important task of building God's kingdom. In other words, what happens Monday to Friday is quite unrelated to what occurs on Sundays. But is this perspective of our work biblical? What does Scripture teach?

Some ideas that presented by Dr. Wheaton included:

• Serving Christ by carrying the burden and responsibility of carrying the world.
  
• God is a worker, architect, builder, weaver, farmer, etc.
  
• Ecclesiastes 3:9-14 - people should be happy, it's our lot.
  
• Justification by faith (under which evangelistic activities fall under) is not all. Christ's purpose is about the rule of God in the world: Shalom, redemption.
  
• This work, vocation is about enriching the lives of community.
  
• laborare est orare: to work is to pray. The perspective of Thy will be done.
  

Our own discussion points included:

• How to discern contentedness?
  
• Inspiration from Oswell Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest, idea of "Audience of One" (pulled from the book The Call by Os Guinness), the the concept of craftsmanship.
  
• Does work give a "higher satisfication" when it leads to a (church) ministry? (For example, "I accomplished my work so well, that I share about my faith during my coffee break, because people asked me.") Or can work be satisfying and rewarding just because it simply gives us that pleasure?
  
• "It's all a matter of perspective." Points included: perspective about what really is the "Kingdom of God".
  

So this is just a springboard of ideas for you to think through. Please don't be shy to express your thoughts and opinions. They don't need to be theologically right, or even politically-correct, because goodness knows, I'm not. Let's hear each other... and grow.

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