Build what nation?
Since NECF Malaysia made nation building a key agenda in its ministry, the folks in the office have talked and breathed nation building. It's nation building this and nation building that, day in, day out. (When a colleague's wife recently gave birth to a girl, he proudly proclaimed he was contributing to nation building!)
From glossy, full-colour powerpoint presentations of charts and visuals of NECF's plans and programmes for our nation building efforts, we even have a nation-building team now, comprising three staff (see January-February 2010 Berita NECF, page 5). To them is charged the grand task of promoting, explaining and drumming into the conscience of every church the critical need to be involved in nation building.
Those in leadership positions may be able to comprehend the concept of nation building more easily since but I have a gut feeling that for most of us 'grassroot Christians', the term is as foggy as our annual June hazy spell when the Indonesian forests are on fire.
What exactly is demanded of me when I'm told I should "contribute to nation building"? (Sorry, no more babies from me.)
Getting Out
Sometimes toward the end of 2009 when several people in my suburban neighbourhood in Petaling Jaya decided to start a security scheme to check the increasing crime activities, I volunteered to help with the communication aspect of the scheme.
By then, I had lived in the neighbourhood for nearly six years but, like most city dwellers whose gates are locked and doors bolted, I knew only one handful of people around me.
How could I be a blessing to my community when I hardly venture from my fortified walls? The security scheme presented the opportunity and I jumped at it, never mind that the debate still rages on about the legality of closing public roads.
In no time, I got to know many people - from varied races and religions, men and women, young and old - in my neighbourhood.
Many of them are active members of the local mosque and working with them was a rather heady experience as up to then, I had been largely confined to my 'sterile' environment of church and the Christian organisation where I work.
By venturing out of my fortified walls to serve my community, I have become a participant, albeit a small one, of - nation building.
Recently, I came across "The Trouble with Jesus", a post 9/11 book by one of my favourite authors, Joseph Stowell, the president of Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.
Egging Christians to get out and do more to engage their world, he says, "Authentic Christianity is not just about keeping and protecting the faith and keeping the rules. It is even more than living to deepen your relationship with Jesus.
"Authentic Christianity, the real deal, is about embracing all of these important elements and using them as a resource to actively and intentionally engage your world with acts of love that show off Jesus" (emphasis his).
Engaging my world with acts of love that "show off" Jesus (in a humble, unpretentious way that attracts people to Him, not drive people away from Him) - that much about sums up nation building for me.
My 'world' could be my family, my neighbourhood, my workplace, the gym I work out in, the charitable organisations I am serving, or even my children's school.
My 'acts of love' could be anything that makes my 'world' a better place for the people there. The opportunities for nation building activities are endless.
Now all I need is a little push to get out more. May God help me. - Juat |
