TRUE DISCIPLES MAKE WAVES BY PS WILSON LIM
When Jesus arrived, He polarised His hearers into those who admired and those who despised Him. When John the Baptist came on the scene, his unusual lifestyle got tongues wagging. He spoke out against the unrighteous lifestyle of King Herod that no one else dared to speak of. Wherever Paul the Apostle went, he either caused a revival or riot. Jesus, the King of Peace declared in Matthew 10:34 (NIV) 34“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. True disciples are meant to make waves. True disciples cannot just blend in. Just as we cannot light up a lamp and not light up the room (Matt 5:14-15). Just as we cannot add salt (Matt 5:13) to our food and expect it to make no difference. To hide and disappear is not the answer for the Kingdom, for that is not the Kingdom-imperative.
And since we are to make waves, let’s make big waves. Why not tsunamis? Tsunamis of influence and change for the Kingdom of God. And how can we do so?
Unite to make bigger waves
If we were to drop a pebble into a pond, it will make a little ripple that will quickly die away, smothered by other patterns moving along the surface of the pond. If we to drop ten thousand pebbles, one a day, it would make the same little insignificant ripples. But imagine if we were to unite all these pebbles into a huge boulder. And we were to hurl this huge boulder into the same pond. Will we continue to have little insignificant ripples? This huge boulder will explode the water out of the pond with so much force, the pond will never look the same again. What made the difference? United, the pebbles made a much bigger wave.
In the same way, when the people of God unite to work together, to move the same agenda, tremendous things can be accomplished.
No matter how challenging, it can be overcome when the people of God respond to God in unison, in unity. We must expend our energies at the same time. We must exercise our faith at the same time. We must move in the same direction at the same moment. Those are the kairos moments of opportunity. It is the appointed time in the purpose of God.
What is important is that we discern the kairos time together and determine to move together. That was how the walls of Jericho came down. That was how Gideon and his 300 men won the victory over incredible odds. That was how the 120 at the upper room encountered God. That is how we will eat the elephant of Unidus Community Centre. The challenges will be much smaller as we determine to raise our hearts in faith together, at the same time. In any project we set out to accomplish, it is crucial that we pool together in unity and act in unison.
Synergise to make better waves
God has given us collectively, a creativity and resourcefulness that far exceeds that of an individual.
It is when we learn to work together in harmony and with the same purpose that incredible works of beauty and influence occurs. A single musical instrument can play a beautiful melody, but only an orchestra of instruments can make a grand symphony. Each instrument playing its unique tone and melody. Collectively, bringing about a far greater reach of sounds and combination of harmonies to carry a multi-layered musical piece. When God’s people synergise our collective giftedness, it can accomplish greater heights of influence and impact upon our society.
When we build upon one another’s strengths and uniqueness, we can go further and better. As a church, it is important that we recognise the tremendous giftedness that resides within. Release it together and we will accomplish great things in God.
May I encourage us all to unite to make bigger waves and to synergise to make better waves. In God, nothing is impossible.
Making waves for Jesus,
Dr. Wilson Lim
Elder of HIM
