I was born as the seventh baby in my family. My siblings and I grew up in a Teochew and Cantonese speaking home in Singapore in the 1960s. 

My parents could not afford to send us to kindergarten and so my giant leap into school and education began at Primary 1 when I was seven years old. 

It was bewildering as that was the first day that I heard my name in English and Mandarin being called out. That day, I was launched into two new languages and was quite lost. I could not tell the difference between “b” and “d”, not to mention “p” and “q”.  

The teacher wanted to keep me in class during the recess break till I wrote all the letters of the alphabet correctly. It was only when she saw my mother waiting outside the classroom that she released me.    

I was greatly comforted when my mother sat with me over a hearty serving of chicken porridge that she had cooked. And she spoke to me in Cantonese, unlike the teachers who gave me instructions in English or Mandarin.

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart”. (A quote attributed to Nelson Mandela.)

Heart to heart

I was reminded of my bewilderment on that first day of school when I read the book of Daniel.

Think of a word that you use often – you can probably think of several. Now, think of a word that you used only once and not again. This will be much harder.

counsel  מְלַךְ

break off  פְּרַק

thy sins חֲטָי

righteousness צִדְקָה

thine iniquities עִוְיָא

to the poor  עֲנָה

thy tranquility שְׁלֵוָה

shewing mercies חֲנַן. (2 times in Daniel 6:11)

lengthening אַרְכָּה –  (2 times in Daniel 7:12)

Of the 16 Hebrew words used in Daniel 4:27, six words are hapax legomenon, that is, they are used only once in the text, in this case, the Bible.

Furthermore, two words are used only twice, and both times by Daniel.

Additionally, the word “acceptable” שְׁפַר is used three times and all three times by Daniel. 

Why did Daniel use so many “uncommon” words, as compared to the rest of the Old Testament?

Most likely, the main reason is that the book of Daniel was written in two languages.

Some portions were written in Hebrew and some, as is Daniel 4:27, were written in Aramaic.  

Although it was a commonly used language in those days, Aramaic words are uncommon as far as the written Bible is concerned.

A whole new world

Daniel and his companions were forced into exile – taken from their homeland and transported to Babylon. 

In human migration, there is the constant juggle to adapt and to adopt. What parts of the old to keep and what parts of the new to embrace? Will I be laughed at if I take on too much of my host culture? Will my roots and loyalties change?

So many new words. So many new gods.

And so many new happenings in Nebuchadnezzar’s court!

Other than being in a new land, perhaps Daniel had to dig deep into vocabulary because he was trying to communicate with the king in a new language when persuading King Nebuchadnezzar in Aramaic that God beckons him to repentance. 

The languages may change but the heartbeat is the same. 

Daniel, though slave and servant, communicated with the king heart-to-heart. The hapax legomenons flow ceaselessly – not to demonstrate his linguistic eloquence, but to introduce and inject God’s words into the king’s heart and mind.  

Perhaps the many new words also tell of the struggles in Daniel’s own heart.

Communicating God’s values

Social media has thrown me into a world of many new words and phrases: “LOL”, “TLDR”, “wats 4 dnr”.  What should I do?  How much should I adapt and how much to reject? Should I insist on proper spelling and grammar?

Perhaps, like Daniel, I should go through the framework of wanting to communicate God’s values – the hard work of highlighting sin and unrighteousness, pleading for repentance and advocacy to care for the marginalised.  

These are the hard issues – topics such as “sin” are often seen as private matters (or basically – “who are you to judge?”).  Through his many hapax, Daniel speaks to the heart. 

Back in my Primary 1 classroom, my teachers propelled me into a whole new world. 

I enjoyed most of the classes, but always looked forward to the recess break when my mother would come with the hot porridge. Often, she would tell me to obey the teachers – in Cantonese – as I ate.

Over the past few years, Dr Tan Lai Yong has done “a very little work among displaced people/refugees”. He found ministry among refugees emotionally challenging. Even in the days when working with leprosy or the HIV affected, outcomes could be managed and and plans made accordingly, he said.

“But in refugee work – while school and other meaningful programmes are run – it is still many years of waiting and waiting,” he added. “I struggle with this stagnation and ask: Where does the Good News come in?

“I still do not have concrete answers but penned three simple devotional essays as the Lord teaches me that He is Sovereign and He knows.”

This is the first of Dr Tan’s devotions in his series on The Language of Hearts and Minds. Watch this space for more devotions.

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The post “Talk to a man in his language, and it goes to his heart”: Dr Tan Lai Yong on the heart language in the book of Daniel appeared first on Salt&Light.

That’s how Planet Earth is described in the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series of novels, authored by comedic sci-fi writer Douglas Adams. The phrase is not meant to be complimentary; the series’ Earthly protagonists are rightly chagrined that their existence has been distilled to two words brimming with inconsequence.

We understand. Surely a life well lived should be one of impact; where what we do matters; where we leave behind a meaningful legacy.

Not one that is “mostly harmless”, barely registering any noteworthy act in our lifetime, let alone in the eternal scheme of things.

I wonder if the Church in Singapore will be viewed the same way, come our reckoning. 

Did we put our lives on the line for Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:15)? Did we hold nothing back to wage war on evil and injustice (Amos 5:24)? Did we endure persecution, hated to the end (Matthew 10:22), as we stood firmly by the offence of the Cross (Galatians 5:11)?

Or would it be said of us that we were … mostly harmless?
Salt that is no longer salty is worthless (Matthew 5:13). A dull knife is a pointless thing.

Why might a knife get that way? Because no care is taken to sharpen it.

In the sharpening of a knife, it is put to the grind with great force, generating intense heat. Sparks fly; it is a most uncomfortable process.

The intentional discomfort is needful. It keeps the knife useful. Without this process, it will eventually be unwanted and discarded.

Like the knife, the Church must ask: What is our purpose here? How does our Maker desire to wield us? What discomfort must we willingly undertake to stay sharp?

But I worry that that last question might prove the stumbling block. For the Church in Singapore is a very comfortable Church. 

Now, I’m not suggesting we should be uncomfortable for the sake of being uncomfortable. I’m not suggesting we should spurn all creature comforts – Turn off the aircon! Remove the cushions from the pews! – in 2025. Neither am I saying God doesn’t want to bless us.

Being uncomfortable is not about spurning physical comforts. It’s about being willing to shrug off everything that is keeping us from fulfilling God’s purpose for us – throwing off everything that hinders (Hebrews 12:1).

There are four fronts I suggest the Church in Singapore needs to guard against, where if we are not careful, we can get too comfortable, to our own detriment.

THE CHURCH IN SINGAPORE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO BECOME …

1. A dated church – too comfortable with the same old ways.

In the State of the Church in Singapore Study 2024: The Church and Seniors, the study authors (various theological colleges in Singapore plus Salt&Light) note that just as Singapore will soon become a super-aged society, the church here will likely soon become a super-aged church.

If this is merely a function of demography, we should take it with good grace. But if it is a question of vitality, then wake up, O sleeper (Ephesians 5:14)!

We thank God for the exponential growth of the past few decades. Many of today’s biggest churches were founded in the 1970s and 1980s in particular, thanks to the momentum provided by groundbreaking events on our shores such as the Billy Graham Crusade and the Charismatic Revival.

But it also means that many of these churches are now in their third or fourth decade of existence. Theirs was a boomtime fuelled by the Baby Boomer generation. Since then, have they been able to adapt to changing needs and narratives?

The consequence of a dated church is generational. First to vote with their feet will be the young adults; then, as they stop bringing their children, the children’s church will be impacted, then the youth church.

Soon you reach the point where the typical member is so old that any young visitor would not choose to stay; a church leader I have spoken to whose congregation is in this state has described it as a slow death, inexorable and depressing.

How do we avoid becoming a dated church? We must start having uncomfortable conversations.

Which of our church practices are non-negotiable, per Scripture? And which are merely man-made traditions and preferences? Which sacred cows are not so sacred after all?

Who are the true decision-makers in your church? What is their average age? Do they reflect that of Singapore – 42.8 years old, per the Department of Statistics. What would it take to get there?

Would you be willing to not merely hear out the next generation, but increasingly entrust them with the church – not in a superficial manner, but real empowerment?

2. A duplicated church – too comfortable with the same old faces.

The typical church in Singapore is majority Chinese-race, English-educated, and middle-class. The statistics bear this out: The typical Christian is almost twice as likely to live in a 5-Room HDB flat or larger than the national average, and more likely to hold a university degree.

I use the phrase “duplicated church” for the sake of alliteration; the truth is, we are too homogeneous.

Are we a homogenous church? Or are we a church for all?

Having too many of the same kind of people is no bad thing in itself – at least we have done well among this demographic! The problem is how this might affect the faith decisions of those who do not fit this carbon copy mould. If they walk into your church, would they fit in, or stick out?

How do we avoid becoming a duplicated, homogenous church? We must start having uncomfortable interactions.

James 2:3 warns against “showing special attention” to anyone because of their appearance and social status. If we want to diversify our congregational makeup, this is something we should take seriously.

For example, in my church, we’ve:

• Hard-coded into our narrative the importance of being a “church for all”, regardless of age or language
• Never placed any weight on a member’s social-economic status
• Insisted that any Chinese/dialect phrase uttered must be translated into English
• Diverted resources to grow our non-English ministries

Everyone of every race, language spoken, or income level is equal in God’s sight, but this is somehow not reflected in the church. It’s time to be truly a church for all.

3. A divided church – too comfortable in the same old camps.

How often does the Church in Singapore move as one?

We fail to agree on … almost everything. Baptism(s). Tongues. Worship styles. Bible versions. The separation of State and Church. Dress code.

There are possibly 500 to 800 churches in Singapore, depending on how you count them. When was the last time members and leaders of, say, 200 or more churches were involved in the same event?

If anything, in recent years, some of the rifts seem to have widened. Proponents of this style of preaching vs that style of preaching. This denomination vs that denomination.

But, as the Apostle Paul asks: “Is Christ divided?” (1 Corinthians 1:13)

How do we avoid becoming a divided church? We must start having uncomfortable reconciliations.

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.” (1 Corinthians 1:10)

With humility comes peace (Ephesians 4:2-3). With unity comes blessing (Psalm 133). With love comes powerful witness (John 13:34-35).

One of the prerequisites of Billy Graham bringing his evangelistic crusades to Singapore in 1978 was that every key denominational leader would have to be united in the project. To achieve this took hard work and great humility. But what reward, with tens of thousands of people coming to faith in that one week!

We were never called to be a people of many camps; we are one camp, built around the Tabernacle.

4. A distracted church – too comfortable with the same old priorities.

God is not meant to be an occasional consideration. He is meant to be our overriding consuming preoccupation (Colossians 3:1-3).

We are supposed to live with eternity in mind (Ecclesiastes 3:11), yet we seem to allow the here and now to dominate our decision-making. We throw all we have into our careers, relationships and past-times, and give Jesus the scraps.

Church is best for us when it knows its place. God, don’t you dare interfere with my job. Don’t encroach into my parenting. And stay away from my financial planning. Just be happy I’m there on Sunday mornings.

We are a blessed people, but we allow those very blessings to distract us from the God who blessed us.

We are the church of Laodicea. We see our relative affluence and think we’re doing a lot of God – but God says “I know your deeds … So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)

How do we avoid becoming a distracted church? We must start having uncomfortable corrections.

God did not mince His words with this church. “You do not realise that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked … Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” (Revelation 3:17-19)

Jesus is coming soon. We only have so many years – Months? Weeks? Days? – left to make a difference. Every minute spent fixating on something with no eternal value is a missed opportunity to lay up treasures in heaven.

So here’s the uncomfortable correction: We are the comfortable Church. God help us.

We are dated, duplicated, divided and distracted. We are fine with the status quo. We are unmoved by the unsaved. 

Of course, I’m not speaking for everyone. There are many among you who are already living and dying for Jesus. We know this by the fact that Salt&Light still manages to daily spotlight Christians and churches who are doing amazing works for God.

But I don’t think that’s the majority position. There are at least 400,000 Protestants in Singapore, according to national statistics. If these were all on-fire, soul-saving, hell-storming world-changers, our numbers would not be plateauing.

Imagine what would happen if we all chose to feel uncomfortable about the fact that at least 80% of Singapore remains unsaved. Imagine if we all cultivated a divine discontent about the Gospel not yet reaching every corner of the Earth. Imagine if we turned that dissatisfaction into action.

And so that’s my prayer for myself, and my prayer for the Church in Singapore in 2025: May this be the year we allow the fires of revival to consume any part of the church that has become too comfortable to be used by Him. Lord, have Your way with us.

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The post 2025: The year of the uncomfortable church appeared first on Salt&Light.

Hospitality is one of the most important graces of the Christian life. The Greek word for hospitality is a combination of two words: philo, which mean love, and xena, which means stranger. 

Hospitality, therefore, is basically a love for the stranger. Although the Greek word that is translated as hospitality appears only about six times in the New Testament, the idea permeates the Scriptures.

Showing and seeking hospitality

In his letter to the Christians in Rome, Paul urges his readers to “contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality”. (Romans 12:13) 

The writer of Hebrews exhorts the Jewish-Christian community with these words: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2)

When these two passages are juxtaposed in this way, several important truths about hospitality emerge.

Firstly, showing hospitality is not an optional extra for Christians, something they do when they have time to spare. It is part and parcel of the Christian life.

Secondly, the Christian must not only extend hospitality to members of the Christian community, but to strangers also.

The theme of hospitality is not only found in the New Testament.

God’s ancient people were also commanded to practise hospitality. In Leviticus, God instructed Israel to “treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:33-34)

Transformative love

Jesus is the example par excellence of generous hospitality.

The One who “has nowhere to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20) received children, fed the multitude, ate with sinners, and prepared breakfast for His disciples.

In practising hospitality, the Christian is simply following his Lord and obeying His command to love his neighbour (Mark 12:31; Leviticus 19:18).

Agapic love is the motivation behind Christian hospitality, the energy that drives it; agape is that uncommon love which sets no conditions and which does not discriminate.

The practice of hospitality is truly transformative. It enables us to see others in the way that we have never seen them before.

The practice of hospitality can therefore cure our spiritual astigmatism and open our eyes to see the other for who he truly is – as the bearer of God’s image, as the person for whom the Son of God died on the Cross, and as someone whom God loves unconditionally.

Seeing ourselves truthfully

But the practice of hospitality is also transformative in another sense. 

It also enables us to see ourselves more truthfully. It forces us to be honest with ourselves. It reveals our lamentable disinterest in our neighbours, our reluctance to reach out to them, and our unwillingness to serve our fellow human beings.

It reveals our chronic fear of becoming too exposed to the world. It brings us out of our comfort zone, and makes us feel insecure and vulnerable. In practising hospitality, we often risk putting our lives and our hearts on display. 

But it is precisely because it forces us to confront the truth about ourselves that the practice of hospitality presents an opportunity for us to grow spiritually.

By making manifest our carefully-camouflaged selfishness, ambition and pride, it brings us to the place where self-awareness can lead to repentance, renewal and maturity.

In this way, the practice of hospitality becomes the means of grace by which the Christian can be incrementally transformed into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ, who came not to be served, but to serve. (Matthew 20:28)

Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, You welcomed all who came to You into Your presence.

Grant me that grace to welcome others – my brother and sister-in-Christ, my family and friends, the stranger – with the love that does not set conditions and which does not discriminate. Amen.

Ponder

1. Why should the Christian practise hospitality?

2. What are some obstacles that you personally face in practising hospitality?

3. What are some practical ways in which you can begin to exercise the ministry of hospitality?

This devotion was first published in “Dwell: An Invitation to Rest, Reflect and Renew” by Blue Mountain Kelong (www.bluemountainkelong.com), and is republished with permission. 

The devotional book, which includes 25 reflections on Creation, Hospitality, Rest and Mission by such Christian leaders as Dr Tan Lai Yong, Leow Wen Pin and Rev Dr Keith Lai, goes towards the mission of Blue Mountain Kelong Social Enterprise, which strives to awaken hope and transform lives through community development.

Books can be purchased at $12 here.

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The post This Christmas, are we showing the generous hospitality of the One who had “nowhere to lay his head”? appeared first on Salt&Light.

Every Sunday, I follow an effortless routine of attending church service, Bible study, having lunch with church friends, and going home. I have been doing this for years, so I could almost do it with my eyes closed. It has become so easy and comfortable.

Unexpectedly, God spoke to me through a book I was reading, titled Singapore: The Air-Conditioned Nation by Cherian George.

Though it was a book about Singapore politics and not a Christian book, it was not the content that stirred me, but rather the title’s imagery of an “air-conditioned nation”.

This phrase made me ponder: have we created an air-conditioned church? 

What if I used this lens to reflect on church life? Here are three points I drew as I re-evaluated church and my perspective of the church.

1. An air-conditioned church makes comfort a priority 

The first thing about air-conditioning is that it is so comfortable. However, this desire for comfort can also creep into how a church runs its ministries.

When I reflect on the way I serve in ministry, we often emphasise physical comforts, such as climate-controlled rooms, convenient transportation, and palatable food.

But amidst all these busy plannings, are we neglecting the challenging, counter-cultural essence of Jesus’ teachings? 

Believers may be afraid to step out of their comfort zones to engage with the messy world, but that is what they are called to do, says the author. Photo by Melanie Lim from Unsplash.com.

The Apostle Paul’s experiences starkly contrast with our comfort-seeking tendencies:

“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:24-28

When did Christianity become about comfort? I was once ablaze with passion for God, but now am content to remain where I am. But the Lord challenges us to give more, to lay down our lives for His sake and the Gospel’s.

Oskar Schindler (portrayed by Liam Neeson in the movie) reportedly saved 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust, yet repented of not saving more.

The film Schindler’s List presents a sobering parallel to our spiritual lives. When Oskar Schindler realised that his possessions could have saved more lives, his comfortable existence became a source of deep regret. Similarly, our pursuit of spiritual comfort may one day haunt us.

Instead of seeking the minimum requirements of faith by asking, “Is this sinful?”, we should challenge ourselves with a bolder question: “How can I pour out more of myself for God’s glory?”

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1

2. An air-conditioned church is closed off from the world 

Just as air conditioning seals off a room from the outside, we often shield ourselves from the “heat” of the world.

We know evangelism is crucial, yet we hesitate to step beyond our comfort zones. Why? My personal reflection is that I want to keep to my comfort and my sense of moral superiority. 

When we narrowly define holiness as moral living, we can become hesitant to engage with the messy world. What we often overlook is that true holiness naturally flows outward, as demonstrated by Jesus.

When I read the Scriptures, I see that Jesus, our perfect example of holiness, didn’t separate Himself from the world to maintain His purity. Instead, He deliberately walked among sinners and His holiness transformed lives.

Unlike the cool air of an air-conditioned room, His holiness wasn’t contained behind walls but flowed like living water to a parched world.

Deep relationship with God shouldn’t lead to isolation from the world, but rather empower believers to engage more deeply with it, says the author. Photo by John Cafazza from Unsplash.com.

Yes, engaging with the world is “hot” and messy. It invites people different from us into our lives.

But consider how Jesus chose to wash His disciples’ feet. He literally touched the dirtiest part of their lives. This powerful example demonstrated to us that deep relationship with God shouldn’t lead to isolation from the world, but rather empower us to engage more deeply with it.

True holiness, then, isn’t just about personal moral purity but, rather, comes from our intimate relationship with the Father that overflows into transformative engagement with others. 

After all, as Paul challenges us:

“How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” Romans 10:14-15

3. An air-conditioned church is unsustainable

Physical air conditioning, while providing temporary comfort, is environmentally unsustainable. Similarly, our inward-focused, comfort-seeking approach to faith is spiritually unsustainable for the church.

My reflection is that we need to step out of our comfort zone and be awakened from the comfort of our slumber. Our King is returning. This does not necessarily mean organising large-scale revivals or evangelistic rallies. Rather, it is about returning to the transformative power of God’s Word and Spirit.

The vision of dry bones in Ezekiel reminds us that true life comes from the Spirit of God:

“I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the Lord.” Ezekiel 37:12b-14

I think it is not about the scale or quality of an event. I pray that we will experience a spiritual revival by the Spirit, guiding and leading us to engage with the world.

Let’s be transformed from an air-conditioned church that keeps all the cool to itself, to one that offers cold water to a thirsty world, writes the author. Photo by Kit Suman from Unsplash.com.

When we are unsure how to proceed, we can rely on the Spirit’s guidance, as Jesus promised:

“And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.” Mark 13:11

In the end, I pray that we will be transformed from an air-conditioned church that keeps all the cool to itself, to one that offers cold water to a thirsty world, a church marked by hospitality, grace, and the life-changing power of the Gospel. 

The post Have we created an “air-conditioned church”? appeared first on Salt&Light.

In Nepal, I often see farmers ploughing and harrowing the land with oxen, and it is not a pretty sight.

A ploughed field looks like it has been totally destroyed. The soil is upturned in a great brown mess with deep fissures and gashes in the earth, and every trace of green life is wiped out.

It looks woeful.

But then the farmer sows the seed. And in no time, the once barren and unsightly fields are carpeted with green and gold. 

You see, the farmer knows exactly what the land needs – ploughing makes the soil more fertile for cultivation.

It breaks the hard crust of the soil and brings fresh nutrients to the surface. It loosens the earth and allows air and water to penetrate. It buries weeds and remnants of old crops so they can decompose, and it exposes the eggs and larvae of pests to sunlight for destruction.

The Lord knows what He is doing

“Does he who plows for sowing plow continually? Does he continually open and harrow his ground? When he has levelled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin and put in wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and emmer as the border?” (Isaiah 28:24-25)

Isaiah was writing to a nation in disarray. The northern kingdom of Israel had already been conquered and exiled by Assyria. The southern kingdom of Judah was under siege and soon to fall. 

The people of Israel had been unfaithful to God and were reaping the bitter fruit of their evil deeds. Amongst their multitude of sins, even their priests and prophets, the ones responsible for spiritually leading the nation, had become filthy drunkards (Isaiah 28:7-8).

The grim indictment concludes on an even more ominous note: the Lord has decreed destruction of the whole land (Isaiah 28:22).

But then Isaiah abruptly declares that the Lord will be like a farmer, ploughing the land and then sowing seeds.

Israel, God’s own field, will be ploughed, upturned, laid waste – but the Lord knows exactly what He is doing. Into the chaos and destruction He will sow new seeds and bring forth a new harvest.

Isaiah continues with another metaphor of grain being threshed in order to make bread. The Lord, the Master Farmer, will not thresh His grain forever; when He drives His cart’s wheels over the grain, He does not crush it (Isaiah 28:28).

Israel will seemingly be destroyed under the heavy wheels of God’s judgement, but it is not so; God will one day raise them up from the dirt.

“This also comes from the Lord of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.” (Isaiah 28:29)

Painful but eternally beneficial 

Do we sometimes feel like a field being ploughed? When all of a sudden our lives are turned upside down, leaving only a mangled mess where there once was beauty and order?

Take heart. God may be doing something new, but He first has to plough the soil of our hearts to receive the seed He wants to sow. He has to break down the hard crusts of pride and self-sufficiency that encase our souls.

And there is more to this metaphor. When our hearts are upturned, they can become more permeable to the wind of the Holy Spirit and the living water of God’s Word, if we will turn our eyes to Him.

Only when our hearts are ploughed can our secret and hidden faults be exposed to God’s light and dealt with decisively.

“Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults,” David cried (Psalm 19:12), and God responded by upturning his life more than once.

Make no mistake, ploughing is painful. It feels like our deepest weaknesses and inner ugliness are being mercilessly exposed, and we stare mournfully at the mess that was our lives and wonder when it will be put together again.

But this is a crucial step for our growth and sanctification. And if we endure, one day our lives will blossom as God’s verdant fields, bursting with a bountiful harvest of righteousness, a testament to His power and wisdom.

Think and Pray

1. Have you felt like your life was being ploughed? What have you learnt from the experience? How have you grown from the experience?
2. What secret or hidden faults has God uncovered in your life? How did God deal with them?
3. Is there pride or self-sufficiency in your heart?

This devotion was republished with permission from Sojourn: A One-Year Weekly Devotional by Dr Winston Chin.

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The post Do you feel like a field being ploughed? Take heart. God may be doing something new appeared first on Salt&Light.

I was in the sanctuary, a fly on the wall, listening to this fervent appeal of my pastor to excited teenagers during a special youth night message enticingly titled: Let’s talk about sex!

I was in my 30s and enthralled. I wish someone had told me that in my youth.

I went home and pored over the book from which that exhortation came, eager to plumb the deep well of that wisdom that so countered every piece of advice I’d ever heard.

I promised God then I would do romance His way. 

I had to wait 20 years to fulfil that promise. But every day was a new chance to cull from the book that yields fresh gems each time.

The songs in this book have become even more poignant as I prepare to become a bride in a few months.

I have always known God loves me with a lovingkindness, sometimes dotingly, sometimes with the rod of discipline He knows I need. But I could never reconcile Song of Solomon’s somewhat sensual brand of romance with a God who is fatherly, holy and mighty.

But now, being in a relationship with a man who loves me with a heart bigger than my head, has drawn me to a new depth of intimacy with my Beloved.

Much more than a description of the passionate love between Christ and His Bride, Song of Songs is an unabashed portrayal of the intoxicating romance between a man and a woman, and my long-time guide into the convoluted world of dating and love.

Here are my 9 takeaways from the book of the Bible written by arguably the most eligible man in the Bible.

1. Love is more than a game for two

“We will exult and rejoice in you; we will extol your love more than wine; rightly do they love you.” (Song of Solomon 1:4)

The jubilant chorus by friends over the love between the beloved and the Shulamite woman is proof that love is not just between two people.

My community – my family, my friends, random people who love me – has to rejoice with me. 

They know me in ways I do not know myself. They see beyond my blind spots and straight through my romance-tinted glasses. They love me enough to warn me against a relationship at the risk of losing my friendship.

The late Pastor Tim Keller said: “We cannot hear ourselves from the inside the same way others can hear us from the outside. Similarly, we cannot see us the same way our friends [and family] see us.”

I have been pulled back by godly counsel and loving friends from the precipice of ungodly unions and potentially a life away God.

The Man I am About to Marry has received the rubber stamp of approval from everyone in my community: Parents, siblings, nephews and nieces, besties, coworkers, spiritual leaders.

Yes, I am very kiasu but I like the security of knowing that so many pairs of eyes and so many hearts have vetted this man for me.

2. Love does not lurk

“He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.” (Song of Solomon 2:4)

This verse brims with such excitement by the beloved about the relationship and overflows with so much pride in his woman that he went big with the announcement.

I do not mean one has to flaunt the relationship with public displays of affection nor to parade every date. But there is a difference between waiting for the right time to tell and always kissing in the shadows.

I was in a relationship that was shrouded in secrecy the whole time we were a couple because “my parents don’t know about you yet”, “our coworkers should not know”, “my friends are too busy to meet”.

I eventually met one of his friends, who suggested I cut myself loose. I did, but only after lots of hot tears and heartbreak.

The Fiancé kept me under wraps for months as he quietly assimilated me into his life. But when the time was ripe, he eagerly pulled me with lots of affection into his circles and happily inserted himself into my very large (and loud) family and motley crew of friends.

3. Only fools rush in

“I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the does of the field, that you not stir up or awaken love until it pleases.” (Song of Solomon 2:7; 3:5, 8:4)

Even Elvis Presley with his busy love life knew this.

Although this verse primarily addresses sexual intimacy before marriage, it has also taught me not to hurry a relationship through its stages before its time.

This is so important it was repeated three times by a woman punch-drunk with love who could muster enough sobriety to understand the “sweet fruit” of love will sting and stink before its time.

4. Don’t empty the basket

“The mandrakes give forth fragrance, and beside our doors are all choice fruits, new as well as old, which I have laid up for you, O my beloved.” (Song of Solomon‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬) ‬‬

For 2o years, I chose to reserve my “choice fruit”, the thinly-veiled euphemism for sexual intimacy, for my spouse, even though there was no spouse on the horizon. I wanted my spouse, should he come along, to have the best of me in every way.

In Fitzgerald’s novel, Emotional Bankruptcy, Josephine Perry, who has a penchant for going through men in whom she has no interest, was horrified she could stir up no excitement from the kisses of the man she loved when she did eventually meet him.

“What have I done? What have I done?” she wails, realising that “one cannot both spend and have”, and that “the love of her life had come by, and looking in her empty basket, she had found not a flower left for him – not one.”

The charge by the Shulammite woman, reinforced by Josephine’s cries of dismay, was a recurring reminder to me to keep the fruit in the basket.

5. Carve out we-time

“Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away.” (Song of Solomon 2:13)

Though the beloved keeps the maiden at the centre of his world in the banqueting house, he calls her away with him for one-on-one time.

Our communities provide a crucial platform for us to discover one another, but only time alone can bring the intimacy and growth that make a relationship solid.

I was in a relationship where the boyfriend always invited his pals along for football and beer. Although I had fun with the friends, we never grew as a couple and the relationship always hung by a thread.

Eventually the thread broke and I realised I was the only one in the relationship the whole time.

6. Make it exclusive

My beloved is mine, and I am his. (Song of Solomon 2:16)

“Are we exclusive?”

The Fiancé was completely thrown off when I asked him that for the first time.

In what I deem was an uncomplicated dating life, he had assumed dating equals exclusivity equals marriage as an end goal. He was one of the easy ones.

I discovered when I lived in New York that dating in a city teeming with singles was a minefield. From what I’ve heard, dating in Singapore was no walk in the park either. Navigating that treacherous terrain has taught me never to assume a relationship is exclusive just because a couple hangs out and enjoys each other.

If I had known then what I know now, I would have wasted no time wiping the dust off my feet when the boyfriend cajoled me with: “Isn’t it just nice to be together? Why do we need a label on this?”

There should be no question of the status of a relationship. There should be no doubt about its exclusivity.

The verse says “my beloved is mine”, and no one else’s and “I am his” and no one else’s.

7. Be glad, not sad

“Go out, O daughters of Zion, and look upon King Solomon, with the crown with which his mother crowned him on the day of his wedding, on the day of the gladness of his heart.” (Song of Solomon‬ ‭3‬:‭11‬ )

A friend of mine wept throughout her bachelorette party and tried in futility all night to numb her grief with alcohol. That should have been a clue that the wedding should never have taken place. But it did, with 500 guests and plenty of glitz and ritz.

The marriage imploded eventually and irretrievably.

The tears of the bride-to-be and the stunning collapse of that marriage stayed with me.

The unhappy bride and this verse sealed my conviction that a God match should bring gladness of heart and not a bucket full of sadness.

8. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder

“You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.” (Song of Solomon 4:9)

I had been on a steady diet of misguided belief that only the best-dressed, the best-spoken, the best brains packaged in the best body and fronted by the best face wins. So this verse took my breath away.

Was it really possible to stagger someone with just “one glance” of my eyes? Could it be that a man really would look beyond my flaws – external and internal – and proclaim: “You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.” (Song of Songs 4:7)?

In my heart of hearts, I knew this was only possible if the man saw me through the eyes of Christ, who made me perfect.

The Fiancé told me his heartbeat picked up speed when he met me the first time – brassy blonde highlights, shrill voice and incessant grilling notwithstanding.

I would not have been his first choice had our paths crossed at a different time, in a different place, nor he mine with his geek-chic hair and deliberate, meticulous ways.

We are by no means perfect. But our Father, who knows us perfectly and loves us perfectly, gave each of us the good and perfect gift of each other.

9. Marry your best friend

“His mouth is most sweet, and he is altogether desirable. This is my beloved and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem.” (Song of Solomon 5:16)

I have been forewarned enough times that when the romance fades and the passion fizzles out, I’d better have something more solid than fireworks to look forward to.

CS Lewis said: “Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too?’”

The Fiancé and I both believe bagels are the perfect companion to coffee, that jokes have to be corny to be funny, and that the best trip we can take together is a journey through life with Jesus.

Before we became a couple, we were friends who had no trouble moving from shallow ribbing to deep talks about everything under the sun (except American politics).

Our romantic relationship only deepened the friendship instead of distracting from it. We both believe our marriage has to be a friendship for life. Nothing less.

The most purposeful description I have heard on this was from Tim and Kathy Keller in their book, The Meaning of Marriage: “It is a way for two spiritual friends to help each other on their journey to become the persons God designed them to be.”

That, to me, is the sum of love and marriage.

This story first appeared in the blog Quierotango and is republished with permission.

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They say that silence is golden, but it seems people are afraid of it, like those who leave the television on all the time, as though there has to be some sound, any sound.

It is also hard to find a genuine listening ear; people love to talk but struggle to listen. I recently learnt a Nepali idiom: “God gave us two ears, but only one mouth!”

What Jesus’ silence said

We are used to hearing Jesus speak in the Gospels, but I am struck by one instance of His silence. The Pharisees bring before Jesus a woman who has been caught committing adultery, hoping to trap Him (John 8:1-11).

“Should we stone her?” they cry.

Say “No”, and they would charge Him with contradicting the sacred law of Moses. Say “Yes”, and it would go against the remarkable grace He has shown to sinners in His ministry.

We can picture the scene: A hostile mob lining up to pronounce judgement and inflict punishment on this poor sinner.

But Jesus chooses to remain silent. Not a word escapes His lips; He stoops down and doodles in the sand. Undaunted, the Pharisees continue to badger Him.

Finally, He issues one of the most powerful one-liners in history: “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7).

It is deeply ironic that Jesus, the only one in that crowd who was without sin, chose to remain silent. But His silence spoke volumes – it communicated non-judgement, forgiveness, grace.

The accusers had no answer to give Him, and one by one they stalked away. And then Jesus put into words what His silence had already spoken: “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11).

The compassion of silence

Are we able to be silent with others?

To allow them to bring their pains, hurts, sorrows, regrets, mistakes and sins, and just listen to them without judgement or condemnation?

To refrain from prescribing quick fixes or dispensing easy advice, but open our hearts to others in compassion and solidarity?

To weep with those who weep? And then to gently point them to the One who offers forgiveness and healing, and who calls them to sin no more?

In Reaching Out, Henri Nouwen wrote:

“When we think about the people who have given us hope and have increased the strength of our soul, we might discover that they were not advice-givers, warners, or moralists, but the few who were able to articulate in words and actions the human condition in which we participate, and who encouraged us to face the realities of life … Those who do not run away from our pains but touch them with compassion bring healing and new strength.”

In a world filled with voices of condemnation, can we be that silent and safe space where the broken and hurting can find grace and acceptance?

Can we be that quiet and healing space where sinners can experience the grace and comfort of Christ, just as we ourselves have experienced the forgiveness of Christ for our own sins?

We do not know what happened to that woman, but I do believe that one brief encounter with Jesus transformed her life forever.

May we learn from Jesus, and point others to Him.

Think and Pray:

1. When was the last time you sat silently and listened to someone? Did you feel the constant urge to talk or give advice?
2. Who are the broken and hurting people in your life, to whom you can be a healing space where they can find comfort and acceptance?
3. How can you gently point those around you who are broken and hurting to Jesus Christ?

This devotion was republished with permission from Sojourn: A One-Year Weekly Devotional by Dr Winston Chin.

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Bible reading for Day 40  | Psalm 127:1

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”

Learn

Did you know a goldfish can only pay attention for nine seconds? 

And people pay attention for even less time – eight seconds! 

There are so many things in this world that take our attention away from God. But the Bible says we need to look at God, not other things, because we can do nothing well without Him. 

Unless God helps us “build our house”, our house will fall down. It is the same with everything else – unless God helps us do anything, what we do will not last. 

Sometimes we get so busy, we think we must finish all our work before sitting down to pray. But what we are busy with will be useless if we don’t do it with God and for God. 

Have you been giving God your attention? Prayer is one way to stay close to God our Father.

This is Day 40 of our Family Devotions. But it is not the last day. Keep praying that the Church of Singapore – yes, that includes you – will:

• Turn Singapore Godward
• Win the Youth
• Bless the Nations

Great job in finishing 40 Days of praying every day with Christians in Singapore to build God’s Kingdom! 

Discuss

1. Have you shared the Gospel with someone yet? It is time for you to just do it!

2. Will you promise to pray to God every day? Ask Him to help you talk to Him as soon as you open your eyes every morning, or before you go to sleep at night, or any time you want to talk to Him.

Pray

1. Pray that Singapore will turn to God. Ask Him for leaders who want to follow God’s ways and who love the people of Singapore.

2. Pray that the young people in Singapore will look for God and find Him. Ask God for a chance to invite your young friends to church where they can hear more about His love for them.

3. Ask God how you can bless people from other countries, whether it is to pray for them or to go with your church to their country to share the Gospel with them. 

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This is Day 40 of 40 Days. 40 Voices. 40 Prayers.

Thank you for journeying with us over the last 39 days. I am sure we have gained insights, inspiration and instructions from the different pastors and leaders.

A couple of months ago, there was a particular week when my schedule was insanely packed out. I had different meetings and speaking engagements from Monday through Thursday. Then on Friday, there was Pray Singapore, our regular gathering of church leaders for prayer at St Andrew’s Cathedral.

As I was preparing, the Holy Spirit reminded me that the prayer gathering was the most important event of the entire week. No matter how amped up I may feel towards Turning Singapore Godward, Winning The Youth and Blessing The Nations, unless God is in it, our best works are in vain.

In Psalm 127:1, the Bible says: “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”

Note that the builders are labouring and the guards are standing watch. They are not lazy. They are not indifferent. They do not abdicate their responsibilities. Like many of us, we love Jesus and His Church, and we are willing to work hard.

But the psalmist says that unless the Lord builds the house and unless the Lord watches over the city, our best efforts are in vain.

The three focal points that God has given to the Singapore churches and Christ-followers are spiritual in nature. No amount of human effort alone can produce an ounce of spiritual fruit.

We need God. We need to seek God’s help, wisdom, guidance and strength in prayer.

Attention is the beginning of devotion

In the digital world that we live in, everyone and everything is vying for our attention.

In 2015, TIME magazine published an article stating that the average attention span for the notoriously ill-focussed goldfish is nine seconds, but according to a study from Microsoft, people now generally lose concentration after eight seconds.

Microsoft also found that since the year 2000 when the mobile revolution began, the average attention span of people has dropped from 12 seconds to eight seconds.

We now have a shorter attention span than goldfish. This is quite laughable and sad at the same time!

In John 15, Jesus said in no unclear terms that, apart from Him, we can do nothing. 

Jesus teaches the importance of abiding in Him, the importance of giving Him our attention and staying connected to Him.

Jesus said to His disciples, including you and me:

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” (John 15:4)

To be devoted to God and His purpose, we need to first give God our attention. And one of the ways to give God our attention is through prayer.  

Many of us have participated in Day of His Power this year. We gathered to pray in churches all across the north, south, east and west of Singapore. This is a beautiful picture of unity in Christ and dependence on God. Thank you for playing a vital part in the redemptive plan of God for Singapore.

Look to God in prayer

The time is now to Turn Singapore Godward. The time is now to Win the Youth. The time is now to Bless the Nations. And the time is definitely now to pray together!

Apart from Christ, we can do nothing.

Let us look to God in prayer!

Jesus, we need You! More than the air that we breathe, more than anything, we need You. Teach us to, first and foremost, devote ourselves to You. And as we do that, transform us and use us for Your glory. Thank You for Your amazing grace and goodness in our lives. 

In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen. 

Reflect

Over the last 40 days:

1. How has God changed your heart for those who don’t yet know Jesus?

2. How will you pray for youths and families in Singapore?

3. What are some things God is leading you to do to turn Singapore Godward, win the youth and bless the nations?

Pray

1. Pray for a Godward Singapore. Ask for godly leadership, a people united in the desire to do good and be compassionate, a Church committed to sharing Gospel hope. Pray that God’s light will shine brightly in every area of darkness and every believer become an active ambassador of this light.

2. Pray earnestly for God to stir the hearts of young people across Singapore, drawing them to His grounding truth and unshakable hope. Pray for opportunities to invite them into church communities, small groups and worship services. Ask God to equip you and others with the ability to guide these young hearts in their spiritual journey.

3. As you seek to bless the nations, pray for the conviction and the courage to take the first step, whether it’s signing up for a short-term mission trip or finding other ways to serve God’s global Kingdom.

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Bible reading for Day 39  | Matthew 28:18-20

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”

Learn

Matthew 28: 18-20 is called the Great Commission. It is Jesus’ call to all Christians, young and old, to go and tell everyone in every country on earth about God. 

The are 5 P’s about the Great Commission:

The main Players. Who is Jesus talking to in The Great Commission? He is talking to us – we are the main players whom He tells to go and make disciples!

The main Power. Where do we get the power to persuade people to believe in Jesus? Our authority, or power, comes from Jesus Christ Himself.

The main Purpose. There are four action words in verse 19: “Go”, “baptise”, “make” and “teach”. Can you guess which is the most important?  It is “make”. We “go”, “baptise” and “teach” so that we can “make” disciples. Disciples are not just those who are baptised or who go to church or who read the Bible. Disciples are those who study God’s Word and live as God’s people. 

The main People. Who does Jesus want us to make into disciples? All the different people from the different countries in the whole world! When everyone hears about the Gospel, Jesus will come again!

The main Passion. God’s passion is to gather everyone to worship Him together. 

God shows us in Revelations 5:9 the wonderful picture of a complete Church when the Great Commission is finished. 

May Singapore go, baptise and make disciples of every country in the world until Jesus comes again! 

Discuss 

1. God loves people, not countries. Do you know people living in Singapore who have not yet heard of Jesus?

2. What can you do to be a disciple of Jesus, and not just a believer?

Pray 

1. Pray for Jesus’ power to be with missionaries, or those who go to faraway countries just to tell people the Gospel.

2. Pray that the churches in Singapore will send more missionaries to places where people have not yet heard about Jesus.

3. Pray that all believers will be brave to obey God’s call to make disciples.

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