A month had gone by. Little did I know what big events had happened
during the time of the rally. Like the trapping of the Chilean miners
incident. Of which the rescue was still on going and the 33 miners had
lived in isolation from the rest of the world for about a month now,
half way through freedom. I wonder who in the rally was aware of it.
So here I am, as I have promised myself to continue the afterthough.
I
forgot to mention in part 1, that it was interesting having Dr. Tong to
conduct the choir for "Worthy is the Lamb - Amen" of the Messiah.
Interesting because, not only we had little rehearsals prior to the
event (4-5 times), now we had to deal with a different conductor, with
only one short trial a night before. I won't complain, not in this case.
Because it is more than just a concert performance, it is about a
preacher of God showing the world directly the beauty of Handel's
Messiah, a blessing from God. "Amen" is the hardest piece, I believe,
not just in the Messiah, but of all the pieces we sang. Hardest because
one could easily be lost in his/her section due to the most confusing
but beautiful counterpoint I've ever experienced. But despite the
confusion, I thank God for my previous experience in OSNY which had
trained me to be very attentive to every parts (though there's still
room for improvement for myself) to help me stay on track.
I
liked singing in that choir because I was singing with confidence in a
concert hall for the first time. Nevertheless, I was less impressed by
the fact that I could hear myself all the time, very clearly, in
contrast to my experience with OSNY. I imagined they (OSNY) saved their
voices during the rehearsals and blasted out during the real performance
I could hardly hear myself and I was afraid to be confident to avoid
some embarrassing mistakes.
I think Dr. Tong find us singing too softly.
Over
the past few weeks, I am gradually convinced that I should be on the
alert of not mixing any of my called ministry with the Ameristians.
After looking back at how Rev. Lin stopped me from preaching, to how
awful her supervision of the rally was done. Awful due to the sole
control of Rev. Lin. I'm sure, like many Ameristians, she would prefer
to think it as a "congregationally" planned event. Thus, it is no one
single person's fault. This kind of "I'm just the overseer and any fault
must also be covered by all the co-working staffs" attitude is
something I must stay away from with whatever authority is given me. If
Joseph could rely on God and manage a whole ancient empire without
blaming his responsibility on anyone else, I'm sure with God's help, I
do not need a diseased part such as Rev. Lin. It is better she be like
king Saul, and I, David. Taking no credit from her but God and other
God's true servants.
Why has it come to this, why is it so hard
for any evangelical rally in the cities, which have high populations,
but not proportionally balanced outcome.
For the Chinese here, is
the use of the term "慕道友". Rev. Lin loves to use this term. Perhaps the
older Chinese do also. Where is such a verse in the Bible? Not even
such notion. One is either a Christian or he is not. There's no such
thing as in between position, like he's neither good nor bad. What are
these preachers afraid of? As if by calling them such, they are granted
"half" membership in the Kingdom of God, that they do not have to face
the labor of birth as one is needed in repentance of their sins? "All
right, your next step is just say YES to everything the church pastor
confirms with you in public"...any problem with their later beliefs-it's
their problem because they've said YES already-I'd just help as much as
I can.
How irresponsible. Thus, the problem is not the
non-Christians here in the city. The problem comes from those who
professed to be Christians, those who have upgraded their status from
"慕道友" to believers without any personal breakthrough in the Lord, those
who have helped them in such upgrade. Their piety, is a committive one, a
social driven one, not a personal one with the Truth.
I must say,
there is much for me to learn from. I remembered when my dad told me
how Rev. Tong scolded those in Penang when they didn't bring their
non-Christians. It was a different scene in New York City. When asked
how many Christians, almost all raised their hands, and they laughed, at
themselves. Rev. Tong didn't show any sign of anger, but responded
differently, how, I've forgotten. Perhaps he was tired, perhaps it was a
situation I am yet unaware of. I give this great mentor of mine plenty
benefit of doubt. Though I am not oblivous of my Lord principles.
I
cannot comment too much on the content of the rally, the message,
because as a choir member, I am not present for that all the time.
I
hope Rev. Tong comes back. I have no problem co-working with Rev. Lin
again, if she commands. I will be more prepared, more responsible, evangelical-wise.
