Devotion by Pastor Lily Yong
The world has been going through a tumultuous season due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and much of life has been affected. However, as believers of Christ, it is also a season for us to reflect: “Are we building our lives on the unshakable kingdom of God?” As a church, we have been going through the series of teachings concerning the Kingdom of God and the closest to my heart will be how God’s kingdom relates to the poor and needy.
Matthew 25:40
And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’
This verse has been an anchoring verse in my work of ministry. Indeed, the gospel belongs to everyone, especially to the “least”, which includes the disadvantaged and the marginalised.
Very often, we think that it takes a special kind of person to care for a child with special needs; or in general, we need special abilities to serve God. However today I want to share with you this thought that really encourages me …
Pastor Lily praying for a member
“A child with special needs will inspire you to be a special kind of person!” or “The needs of the people will often inspire us to become a special person!”
The JAMs (Jesus for All Minds) Service started 25 years as a Church Without Walls (CWW) initiative. It was the vision of Pastor Kong and Sun, with the leadership, to bring the love of God beyond the four walls of this church. When I first entered full time ministry, I had many aspirations, and at the same time, many apprehensions. Never in my wildest imagination would I imagined myself to be involved in the special needs’ ministry— which I believe is very close to God’s heart!
One of the Bible passages that greatly encouraged me in this journey was the familiar story of the feeding of the 5000.
John 6:4-9
Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near. Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do. Philip answered Him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.” One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, “There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
Whenever I read the story of Jesus feeding the 5000, I can’t help but to identify with the boy who came with the five loaves and two fish. Just like in the narration, we have “Philips” in our midst that will do all the calculation for us and tell us, “This is impossible.” We also have some “Andrews” who are more encouraging and will try to gather the resources, but inevitably come to the conclusion: “Can our human strength/ abilities meet such a great need?”
Personally, I have felt overwhelmed from time to time during these 25 years in this ministry. I stepped into this ministry NOT because I felt gifted or anointed in helping people with special needs. I was just a youth leading cell groups, but I had a passion to serve God with whatever I had. I remember telling God, “I will respond to this call and help people with special needs as long as You send me.” Originally, I was employed to be a cell group coordinator, but God’s ways and thoughts were higher than mine and eventually, I became the head for this ministry. And before you knew it, I have been serving for the past 25 years. The prayer I held on to is the same as this “unknown” little boy. Every day I tell God, “I will give You whatever I have, please multiply it for Your glory.”
I think many of us are very much like this little boy. When we looked outward, we see vast needs and desire to do our best to help, because we know “the need is the call”. However, at the same, when we looked inward, we feel inadequate because we focus on what we do not have. We give excuses like “I am not trained, or I am not talented”. Yet the solution is found in the little boy’s response … it’s only when we decide to look upward, and give what we have to the Lord, can we then step aside and let God do His part.
The boy with the five loaves and two fish was willing to take the risk. He was willing to forgo his lunch box and go hungry to respond to the call. Isn’t that what faith is all about? The question we must face is: “Are we willing to take the step of faith in obedience and risk looking foolish for the Lord?”
Just like this boy who gave what was insignificant in the eyes of many, the little that we have can become much in the Master’s hand. When placed in God’s hand, a shepherd rod of Moses can part the red sea and bring deliverance. A donkey’s bone in Samson’s hand can slay the enemies. A widow’s last meal can feed the prophet for three and a half years.
In these challenging times of a worldwide pandemic where there are so many needs in the world, will you be willing to place your little in Jesus’ hands, and let the Lord multiply what you surrendered to meet all the needs out there? I truly believe we can all be the special kind of person to make a difference in the lives of others.