Dear graduands, your graduation marks the moment when you set sail again in your voyage of ministry! Following the Lord and serving others will inevitably bring you to both calm seas and stormy waters. In times of adversity, you may feel confined, challenged constantly, and battered daily. But as God’s servants, you can rely on his light to confront even darkness with resilience and courage, navigating beyond limitations!
Trapped in Circumstances? Confronting Darkness!
How do we reposition ourselves amid adversities? How do we break through them and keep going in our faith journey, ministry path, and family commitments? Psalm 36 offers us valuable insights. This psalm was likely written during David’s persecution and pursuit by King Saul. In the midst of personal despair and darkness, how did he respond?
Adversity often forms the framework for our mindset, influencing our instinctive reactions to challenges, just like how external stimuli trigger responses. Psalm 36:1–4 succinctly describes the adverse state of the wicked: devoid of reverence for God, self-deceiving, full of deceitful words, consumed by evil thoughts, and intent on wrongdoing.
How did David confront the darkness of human nature without being influenced by it? Rather than reacting instinctively, through God’s light — his love, faithfulness, and justice (36:5–9), David saw the wickedness around him clearly and faced it (36:12). He chose not to repay violence with violence but allowed God’s light to guide him, enabling him to confront human depravity without succumbing to it and respond to hatred with grace (35:10–11).
This is a vital lesson for our ministry: in adversity, do not rush to react but express your pain and struggles in God’s light.
Breaking Free from Constraints, Repositioning Ourselves
The psalmist laid out his circumstances before God, who granted him a vision beyond the limitations of his situation (36:5–8): God’s unfailing love, faithfulness, righteousness, and justice; God’s love that is so precious to all who take refuge in him.
Breakthrough requires vision. David saw God’s surpassing love, towering faithfulness, firm righteousness, profound care, and precious mercy. This spiritual vision helped him reposition himself toward God—not confined by his circumstances but seeing the abundant grace God had prepared for him.
Life is like sunrise and sunset. When I turned 50, I realized I had passed life’s noonday brightness and was heading toward dusk. I couldn’t help but ask: What benefit does trusting God bring throughout one’s life?
I thought of our fourth principal, Rev. Maak Hay Chun, and his wife, Mrs. Maak Wing Huen, moving into a nursing home after retirement. Their vision was to be joyful elders who cared for and ministered to their fellow residents daily.
Mrs. Maak documented stories from their life there in a heartwarming book entitled The Sunclipe House (晚晴楼). When I asked her about the meaning behind the title, she gave me an unforgettable reply: “Even at nightfall, there can be sunshine. In old age, one can still shine.”
Walking in the Light, Navigating Boldly
The psalmist declared: “For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light” (36:9 NIV). Walking in God’s light allows us to see direction even amidst darkness in our ministry, enabling us to press on with resilience and determination.
Consider many of the youth we serve today—trapped in the darkness of social media addiction as “digital dopamine” seekers who endlessly scroll through platforms at the expense of their emotional and spiritual well-being. They need Christ’s light to lead them out of “technoholism”!
Indeed, the darkness we face urgently requires the church to reflect God’s light. The men and women we serve need life navigators as they sail in the sea of uncertainty. Graduands—stand firm in Christ as navigators! We can encourage one another through the following actions:
- Positive trust: Maintain optimism and believe there is hope even amidst setbacks.
- Disciplined obedience: Master your emotions and actions; make wise decisions amid uncertainty.
- Re-establish vision: Craft clear goals that guide your team forward.
- Steady responsiveness: Respond calmly to crises and take unified steps forward with your team under God’s guidance.
- Growth mindset: Continue learning while inspiring growth within your team.
As resilient navigators following Christ—the Light of the World—let your lives reflect his light, so that your people see not you but Christ shining through you amidst their darkness!
