19 & 20 September 2026 (Pastoral Page) SEASONS
by Dn Law Le Li
As I write this piece on the morning of the submission deadline, there seems to be lots to say but at the same time not……
This year’s pulpit series uses Psalms as a lead into the various seasons of life. This brings back memories to a place and time when the Psalms truly encouraged me in a time and season when I was working overseas, living alone and at a crossroad in my ‘career’ wondering if my work path will keep me out of Singapore, and for how much longer. I dug up the copy of Every Day with Jesus, - Songs for the Road (Psalms 120-134) penned by the late Selwyn Hughes. It was dated 2014 Jan/Feb. That was my last year working in Hong Kong (I did not know at that time). A year later, I had a work opportunity back in Singapore and was able to spend the last 10 over years with my elderly parents.
It has been a year of adjustments, especially on the home front, with the relatively sudden passing of my father in November last year. I am grateful for the 5 weeks I had with him before he passed as his caregiver. I am especially grateful for the love and support from brothers and sisters from the church for my family during that period. Most of all, I am grateful for God’s whisper that His peace is sufficient for me every time I missed my dad.
Attention has to be given to my mother, who was had become significantly frail and a little more confused over that stretch of 5 weeks when all attention was on my father. When the funeral was over, I wondered how my elderly mum will cope with the death of her life partner of 61 years. She is diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment, though thankfully is bodily abled with the aid of a helper.
To tie it altogether, in one of the busiest years of my life at an age milestone that classifies me as a senior person, I sometimes am desensitized as to how I feel as caregiving is the overarching duty at home, work and church.
However, I would testify that God’s peace has kept my spirit at an even keel as I work through the days and trusting Him to make good what I cannot. Not for my good but for His Glory. And in the difficult moments, I entrust that He has a purpose and will make a way as I cry out for help.
There were 2 statements in sermons by different speakers (1 from the English service and the other from the Chinese service) that resonated with me this year.
One was that aging has benefits - one of which is we have lived long enough to see the faithful goodness of God, hopefully many times over. Having reached an age milestone this year, and stepping into my 44th year as a Christian, it certainly rings true for me.
In life, in work, in ministry, I see God’s hand in our work-in-progress. We are moving forward and look forward to see God revealing to us our purpose individually and collectively. Rev Dr Tan Soo-Inn told us to be patient and wait for God, and I hold true to one of my go-to (I don’t have favorites, just go-to) verse in Romans 8:28 (NIV): "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
The other was that the true Christians have God in our every living moment, not just in quiet moments but also in our busiest selves. I cannot recall the name of this Myanmar Pastor in our Chinese Service who made this statement, but it rang true as I imagine in situations where there are wars and natural disasters to deal with as part of their daily lives. May God help us to hold steady our prayers for the wider world, for those who are suffering in so many ways.
Let us lift our eyes to the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth for help. (Psalm 121:1,2)
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