 They are outstanding women of our times. One is a fast-rising politician and renowned social worker, while the other is a dynamic pastor and speaker who sidestepped her career in paediatrics to co-pastor a rapid-growing church in Petaling Jaya.
At a recent women’s seminar in Petaling Jaya, both women spoke about their work, passion and the role of God in their lives. The 160 women from 42 churches nationwide paid rapt attention to their every word during the half-day seminar, aptly themed “The Woman of Proverbs 31 in the 21st Century”, which was organised by the NECF Malaysia Commission for Women’s Concern. The two speakers were: Jawi state assemblyman YB Tan Cheng Liang and Pr Dr Lew Lee Choo. YB Tan spoke on coping with stress in an unconventional role while Pr Dr Lew spoke on coping with stress in multiple roles.
Many things to many people
 Like Queen Esther, YB Tan is a woman of destiny “born for such a time as this.” Her powerful testimony showed that God is able to use women to impact the nation, and inspired the participants to feel there was hope and scope for women to rise up to God’s “high” calling.
Her entrance into politics was in response to a specific calling from God, but even so, she conceded that being a woman politician has been no easy task. Taking on an unconventional role entailed courage, determination, dedication and tremendous stress. The pressure is compounded by the fact that she is a “Christian” woman politician. In enumerating her many different roles, she emphasised that she is first and foremost, a Christian who is committed to her faith.
From the onset, she laid down three conditions for her involvement in politics. Firstly, she made it clear to her MCA party leaders that she is a practising Christian. She would not miss Sunday worship no matter where she is. Secondly, she would not compromise on her Christian principles. Thirdly, she must be allowed to continue her ministry as a Christian prison counsellor.
Her unconventional role as a wakil rakyat requires boldness and compassion for the grassroots. She has to be all things to all people. When she talks to the men, she has to talk like a man! Initially, she faced a lot of opposition and ridicule from the men in her party and constituency, but she soon gained their approval by her dedication, hard work and love for the people she serves.
YB Tan created a new title for herself, “Yang Berkhidmat “instead of “Yang Berhormat”. Today, she is much respected by her peers and colleagues, and loved by her constituency because of her exemplary service to people of all races. As a result, she has risen very fast up the political ladder. At the recent MCA elections, she was voted into the MCA Central Working Committee with the highest number of votes.
However, it’s not all rosy for this courageous woman who is not spared the dirty tactics and scandalous accusations by her political enemies. She spoke candidly about the pain and anguish she underwent due to dirty politicking. Just before the last election, she suffered a personal attack on her reputation and character by a political striker who paraded a coffin meant for her. Often mocked and slandered, and even spat at by unkind people, she has learnt to “turn the other cheek” and bless and love them instead. That always vindicates her, as she has found.
How does she cope with all the pressure in such an unconventional role? It helps to have a good sense of humour and be able to laugh at yourself, she said. Also, every time she comes under oppression from the enemy (political and spiritual), she runs to God, turns to His Word and clings to His promises.
Despite her busy and very public life, she does not neglect her role as wife, mother, daughter and sister. Her closing remarks are memorable. “One day, I will have to say bye bye to all these – my position, popularity, political clout,” she jested. But it doesn’t matter to her because her focus is not on this world and what it offers. She exhorts the women to focus on the Cross and Heaven instead of on this world. “Invest in heaven”, she urged, “for it pays 100% interest and do good while you can to glorify God.”
A season for everything
An excellent teacher and exhorter, Pr Lee Choo began her talk by highlighting the changing trend concerning women over the last 30 years. One facet of this change is the issue of working outside the home. Up to the ‘70s, women go out to work out of necessity but today women work because they feel it is their right to work outside the home and to, like the men, have a career.
With this come other pressing issues that often bring conflict and pressures such as the issue of motherhood. In addition, they have to cope with the emerging trend of househusbands (role reversal) since many wives are earning more than their husbands. Pr Lee Choo also alluded to the frightening trend of gender identity confusion experienced by many young people today. She attributed this trend to the lack of male leadership in many homes.
On the Prov 31 woman, Pr Lee Choo assured participants they did not have to be like the multitasked Prov 31 woman. She decried that many preachers preach this portion of scripture as though she is the only right model for Christian women. Indeed, modern women are multitasked, playing multiple roles and therefore, experiencing multiple stress. Part of the reason for the stress is that the modern woman wants to have it all!
Pr Lee Choo shared candidly her own struggles as she played the various roles of wife, mother, career woman, and now co-pastor of a large church. She reminded participants that their lives go through seasons when God puts them in the particular place and position them to fulfill particular roles.
How does she cope with the multiple stress? Pr Lee Choo’s “recipe” was the three Ps: Principles, Priorities and Purpose. Firstly, follow the principles that guide. She emphasised that these principles help her to make the right decisions and to grow as a person. The principles include God’s Word and God’s people.
Secondly, setting the right priority is essential for coping with stress. Thirdly, the purpose of God, that is seeing the big picture. “God is interested in who we become rather than what we do and the role/roles we play,” she asserted. The bottom line is not the ministry but “what I am and become as a person.
Conclusion
The response to the seminar was very encouraging. Many were inspired and said the issues touched on were timely. We are living in exciting times and surely, Christian women, we are “born for such a time as this.”
– Report by Susan Chan
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