Sunday, 6th March 2011, 15:15 hrs
Events in the past week helped to decide that I should indeed make a trip home to Singapore, just for a break. Prior to my departure I emailed my brother in Singapore and a senior counsel in Christ, a scholar from Cambridge, Dr Bruce Winter, both of whom gave appropriate advice with the latter providing much godly and wise counsel. And one of the things which Bruce said to me was something to this extent: 'Dear brother, when God is closing a door he somehow will see to it that you get to enter another door...'. Although this is an oft-repeated cliche, when it comes from a godly man it takes on a completely different meaning.
Bruce is a senior man in his early 70's. We met years ago in England where we attended the British New Testament Conference. He has published many works, mostly on Graeco-Roman culture, Philo, Paul and such like. He was also editor of Tyndale Bulletin when he was warden of Tyndal House, Cambridge while also being a faculty member of Cambridge's divinity faculty. We had met many times in Singapore, had coffee and chatted over scholarly works as much as we did over church and seminary politics. Bruce is a man committed to the gospel, and so we could see eye-to-eye on many issues, though we may differ over interpretative issues in other biblical areas. I have learnt much from him and prayed together with him many times as well.
Bruce has returned to Australia the last few years to head a theological college. We're far from each other, being located in different parts of the globe but, from July onwards, our paths would likely cross in Cambridge where he'll be visiting for a couple of his major writing projects.
Indeed as scholars we all remain human. Most of what every person in the street faces are equally our concerns. We have met all sorts of characters and personalities, of which the most obstreperous always seem so 'omnipresent'! I have my fair share of having to deal with their ubiquity. But do we fight such obstreperous and nonsensical characters, or do we simply move on and do what the sovereign Lord has given us to do in our limited lifespan?
When I was in my first seminary, a godly colleague once said to me that he never wanted to engage in any conversation with a quarrelsome person. That was when I personally witnessed a fellow colleague yelling at him for no apparent reason. It was fortunate that the seminary is one of the finest in Asia, both academically and morally. The problem was dealt with quickly. For personal reasons, this godly colleague later moved on to a seminary in the States and is doing what the Lord has called him to do, effectively and productively, away from all the irrelevant, unnecessary, and ungodly quarrels. He has always been a fine example to me.
What do I do when God is indeed slowly closing my door? Perhaps, how do I know God is closing my door? I think Bruce has wisely pointed out that a good indication is when things just no longer operate the way they should. For example, when the gospel truth is no longer upheld in life, in personal conduct, and in a corporate body, and that the operation of the 'house' of which the door is slowly closing is carried out in contradistinction to the values I hold dear that are rooted in Scripture, that should be one major indication that the Lord is telling me that the door is slowly closing. This is particularly so when efforts to the contrary are being ignored or frivolously glossed over.
Since I'm returning to Singapore and will get to meet my brother he has asked me to call him and we'll talk further. My brother has been a pastor for about 11 over years and thereafter gone on to the States to study while at the same time pastoring a few Chinese churches. Though a few years older he has been able to provide some very important and wise counsel as well. Because as a close family member he has given me detailed advice which is not convenient to divulge here. However, I shall say more as time goes on...
I am reminded of what the psalmist says when he prays, 'I lift up my eyes to the hills, from whence doeth my help come? My help cometh from the Lord God who created the heavens and the earth'. In all of one's life, it is imperative that one always remembers to focus on the Lord of creation. For he is in charge and above all things!
When God is slowly closing a door, I should seek after him and learn my part of the responsibility. 'Wait upon the Lord,' cries the psalmist. All of us might see doors flung wide open; some might face a tightly shut door; still others might witness doors that are creaky when turned. Whatever it is, we should note that after all efforts have been ignored or ineffective, we should consider that the Lord might be slowly closing the door.
