It is interesting after 8 years how the
recollection of many seemed to have changed, of how they supported the
Hope Concert. But the reality was that, it was a miracle, and we were
lectured by many Gay and straight Christian leaders that it would be a
waste of money and resources. Being the Charismatic Christian, all I
said was that I felt it was from God.
Hope Concert was tough because it was on a shoe string budget with the
singers unknown in Singapore and even in the US. It was a very hard
sell, both to the GLBT public, and to the various agencies.
Miracles after miracles happened. I begin to see how God used each of
our strengths. Doors were opened and agencies were welcoming despite a
very anti-gay environment in 2007 fanned by NMP Thio.
I cried when we received a letter from one Government association
stating that they couldn't waive the exorbitant rehersal hall booking
fees but instead granted us a donation. God opened the hardened hearts
of Kings to give us grace.
God was good and when Jason and Demarco departed at the airport,
they somehow got the business class ticket for their onward journey to
Bangkok, that we couldn't afford.
God used a group of people to come up with the ideas and planning
because we were little children and had a simplicity and a faith not
knowing what we were getting ourselves into. We only believe. We weren't
experience in holding concerts but we believe.
It is difficult to be used by God when we are too professional, too
perfect, too skilled. It is often our faith and availability that
matters. We go to church to learn about knowledge and truth about God as
revealed from the bible. It is not about our humanistic knowledge nor
striving to save ourselves through good works. Often, we are too
religious, working to be more holy or to be move loving rather than
right believing.
It is not about not staying within our comfort zone, but running with
the vision and dream God has imparted in our hearts.
Nine years is a long time. Things have happened. I am not sure, I could
dream again and be like the little boy with the two fishes and five
loaves of bread.
Three months earlier in Aug 2007 at the First MCC "Gay church" Service
in Kuala Lumpur, my friends were very smart. They asked me to do
the bible reading from Isaiah. I didn't know why until I went to the
pulpit and then I saw all the media was there with their big video
cameras.
The problem with us GLBT Christians is that we are too good, too
perfect, too intellectual when all that is asked is not about service
but faith and simplicity. It is God working, not us working and this is
Grace.
Unlike my many friends, I am weak
and poor and that is why I need Jesus. Many are far stronger and more
capable than me. I yearn to sit at Jesus' feet like David worshiping God
out in the fields and looking into heavens whilst taking care of the
sheep.
At the end, when Jesus comes back, of 1 Cor 13:13, only
one remain out of our faith in Jesus death and resurrection, and our
Hope for the return of Jesus. When Jesus comes back, there is no need
for faith and Hope.
When our faith fails us, when we have lost
Hope, it Jesus' love that will hold on to us even when we fail.
When we loose Hope, when we have
failed, Jesus doesn't see our failure but only stepping stones to extend
the Kingdom of God.
It is after all, our relationship with
Jesus that matters.
If something is from God, we may
not have all the answers or the end of the story, but this is what faith
is about. Hope Concert 2007 was ultimately a day that the Lord has made
and we to rejoice, and that no one could boast about. We have faith and
Hope because of the Love of God imparted in our hearts through the Holy
Spirit. |