POTs...Part 2

Shall I present to you this beautiful Malay Gospel song which I like most:

Mengejar HadirMu
Giving My Best

Dekat padaMu
Itu rinduku
Setiap kataku
Kau pun menunggu

Tak kusangka kutemukan
Satu kasih yang abadi
Kini kudatang
Dan kubawa hidupku

Memandang wajahMu
Mengikuti kebaikanMu
Mengejar hadirMu
Dalam hidupku

Membawa sembahku
Menyatakan kebesaranMu
Mengejar hadirMu
Dalam hidupku

On the first day of theme talk, we were introduced to the book of Nehemiah focusing first on Nehemiah's personality which resembled a Christian.

This was presented by Bishop Hwa Yung (I just merely copy it here).

(Nehemiah 1: 2-4) A responsible person, not always saying "None of my business"

(1: 4-11) Prayer and God's Word fundamental in his life (cf. also chapter 8-10)

(1: 11) Cupbearer;also implies willingness to sacrifice

(2: 1-8) Wisdom and tactfulness

(2: 11) Not attention seeking

(5: 1-12) Compassion for the needy, and concern for justice

(5: 14-19) Refusal to misuse position and power

(7: 2) Integrity

Which in summary, we need to listen to God's word, pray, sacrifice, be on servanthood, have good character and integrity. One of the morning reflection we had was, if I am amongst the 200 representing my people and generation, what would I think that God wants me to do in my life and what would I tell God on behalf of my people and my generation. People and generation-I would think it's in the Malaysia context. Hence, the message is, what do I have to say to the Christian Professionals in Malaysia today? What does having a sense of responsibility means and what would it cost?

The story of Nehemiah tells us that he rebuilt the walls in Jerusalem, reconstituted Israel as a nation and religious community in the midst of tremendous political instability and major historical upheavals. Is this not similar to what is happening around us?

Professionals nowadays can only think of money. Sometimes I can imagine the burden of having a private practice in an economy which is neither favourable nor progressive. What else is more important for survival other than money? While it's easy to say "Put your trust in God" in fact it's true, but how many can have the faith as big as a mustard seed? As for public service, I think it would be less to worry about because basically the job is secure. Hence, we're really caught in the material world eventhough constantly trying to deny so. Eventhough we're under employment, but we're pushed to perform more and more: what kind of tender loving heart do we still have besides being caught under stiff competition of better 'rice bowls'.

There are basically 2 choices to make: either we join the crowd or make an impact. We must then learn to love the things that we are called to do. We were also reminded of Colossions 3:23 where "whatever we do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not men".

One of the best quote of the day was " Ideals are like stars, we cannot reach it but we can chart our way with it".

My favourite session was Missing in Action(M.i.A). It was very interactive and simulating. One of the question posed to us were -> Do we care about the worsening race relations? Will we be the agents of healing? ( I would not deny that there's indirect oppression toward the powerless and these group of people have been silent for a long time. It's not revolution that we want, but a better change). I guess the session would have struck many indiferent Malaysians who is not bother that they might not have freedom of religion or speech the next day just because they thought that they are living in comfort today. It's time to be alert, dear young Malaysians.