More reflections on CHC
A few days ago, the sentence was passed on Kong Hee and co. Kong Hee himself received 8 years. A few days later, he told his congregation that he hopes that there will be a closure to the church members on this issue.
It was perhaps more interesting to read the comments on social media regarding the case than just reading the newspaper report. The newspapers will claim to be neutral, mothership.sg will claim to be speaking out for the people. But as I read the comments, I can't help but feel a bit sad on the whole incident. I wonder what God has to say regarding this.
It was very telling that most people in the social media will proclaim their own judgment on the case, mostly claiming that the sentence was not hard enough. Some say that he cheated the congregation's money and he will never be able to compensate for what he has done. Some joked that he will be going in to start a cell group. Some people involved in prison ministry joked that they do not need to go back in now that Kong Hee will be inside to minister to the people. Of course such audacious thoughts come with some assumptions, of which the crowd inside holds no judgment over what Kong Hee has done.
But the truth of the matter is this, none of the people whom I have read or heard really puts God into the picture, putting in their view what God is doing in the midst of this very sad incident for the Kingdom of God in Singapore. And I am only saying that it is sad from a human perspective. And I am asking myself what does the sovereign God has to say or has to do with all these. Many have weighed in but most of us will probably not see what God has in mind until much later.
I say this with a scriptural basis. Remember Genesis 45 when Joseph reunited with his brothers and father? As I meditated from this passage, it was apparent and basic that God reversed a whole series of bad incidents for Jacob and his family and eventually made it good for the whole tribe. But this was only seen much later, after Joseph shared his reflections with his brothers. Likewise, I am inclined to take the position that we will only be able to see the bigger picture a few years later, may even be a few years after the release of Kong Hee, as we observe City Harvest and the advent of Christianity in Singapore.
In the meantime, maybe we can continue to pray as Jesus did: our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, let Your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And let us, as the body of Christ, open our eyes wide on what God is doing through this incident.
It was perhaps more interesting to read the comments on social media regarding the case than just reading the newspaper report. The newspapers will claim to be neutral, mothership.sg will claim to be speaking out for the people. But as I read the comments, I can't help but feel a bit sad on the whole incident. I wonder what God has to say regarding this.
It was very telling that most people in the social media will proclaim their own judgment on the case, mostly claiming that the sentence was not hard enough. Some say that he cheated the congregation's money and he will never be able to compensate for what he has done. Some joked that he will be going in to start a cell group. Some people involved in prison ministry joked that they do not need to go back in now that Kong Hee will be inside to minister to the people. Of course such audacious thoughts come with some assumptions, of which the crowd inside holds no judgment over what Kong Hee has done.
But the truth of the matter is this, none of the people whom I have read or heard really puts God into the picture, putting in their view what God is doing in the midst of this very sad incident for the Kingdom of God in Singapore. And I am only saying that it is sad from a human perspective. And I am asking myself what does the sovereign God has to say or has to do with all these. Many have weighed in but most of us will probably not see what God has in mind until much later.
I say this with a scriptural basis. Remember Genesis 45 when Joseph reunited with his brothers and father? As I meditated from this passage, it was apparent and basic that God reversed a whole series of bad incidents for Jacob and his family and eventually made it good for the whole tribe. But this was only seen much later, after Joseph shared his reflections with his brothers. Likewise, I am inclined to take the position that we will only be able to see the bigger picture a few years later, may even be a few years after the release of Kong Hee, as we observe City Harvest and the advent of Christianity in Singapore.
In the meantime, maybe we can continue to pray as Jesus did: our Father in Heaven, hallowed be Your name, let Your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And let us, as the body of Christ, open our eyes wide on what God is doing through this incident.
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