Pride in the past, faith in the future

As I sat thinking about what I should write for our Golden Jubilee National Day, I was reminded of an episode from my student past.  Just over 25 years ago, I wrote an article called "Pride in the Past, Faith in the Future" which was published in the Rafflesian Times (the school newsletter).  Raffles Institution was moving from Grange Road to Bishan, and as is often the case with change, there was much hand-wringing over whether the Rafflesian Spirit and other treasured traditions would be lost forever.

Amongst other things, I mentioned that while we had much to be proud about, the virtue of humility was an inseparable part of those treasured traditions.  Just recently, the RI Headmaster was quoted in the news, to much consternation, about his warning that RI should be wary of elitism.  Entirely warranted.  But let's face it, not a new concern.  And not more reason for alarmists to scream "SEE HOW BAD THINGS HAVE BECOME SINCE THE GOOD OLD DAYS???"  Even a 15-year-old me knew that the need for humility was essential to produce students who would grow up to be useful, empathetic citizens.

My point is not that I was prescient.  I'm can tell you that I was a lot less mature than my writing suggests.  My point is that things now are pretty good.  We're not worse off than the "good old days".  We have a lot to be grateful for.

We grumble about MRT breakdowns, the cost of housing, and the education system.  But back in the "good old days", for public transport, we only had two MRT lines, not the spiderweb we have today that brings us nearly everywhere.  For housing - look at the houses we live in today.  Maybe not for all, but I suspect for most of us - better than our parents' and grandparents' day yes?   For the education system - more of us go to polytechnic and university than ever before.  And I've met the bright young students of today.  They are cleverer, and more socially and politically aware than we ever were at their age.  Maybe they're  not as tough as the older generation, but isn't that also evidence that we have done so well and have so much resources that we can afford the luxury of pampering them?

So why then all the current angst?  Two things.  Can we do better?  Of course.  And so we rightfully demand these things of those responsible.  To those whom much has been given, much is expected (Luke 12:48), or as Peter Parker's Uncle Ben says "With great power comes great responsibility"!

But second, let's face it.  We're not as grateful as we should be.  Have a house?  Want something bigger.  Have a car?  Want something nicer.  Have a job?  Want more pay.  This National Day, let's remember to be grateful for where we were, and what we have now.  We should be proud of our past and all we have achieved!

But it doesn't stop there.  The Jubilee is not just about gratefulness and pride in the past, but also hope for the future.  And how do we make this bright future come to pass?

Stop complaining and do something.  There's a song by Matthew West called Do Something, and the lyrics go like this:

I woke up this morning, saw a world full of trouble
Now thought, how'd we ever get so far down
How's it ever going to turn around
So I turned my eyes to Heaven
I thought "God why don't you do something?"
Well, I just couldn't bear the thought of
People living in poverty, children sold into slavery
The thought disgusted me
So I shook my fist at Heaven
Said, "God why don't you do something?"

 He said, "I did."

 "I created you!"

At home, instead of complaining that the younger generation is soft, commit ourselves to bringing up robust children ourselves.

At work, instead of complaining that foreigners have taken over, be determined to be so excellent that you beat the competition.

In your neighbourhood, instead of complaining why the Government doesn't take care of the poor and elderly, go out and serve them yourself.

If it's always someone else's responsibility, or someone else's fault, then your problem is always insoluble, except by sheer chance that someone comes along and fixes it for you.  But the moment you decide "It's my problem", ah.  Then you can start making a difference.  Is it easy?  No.  But it's certainly better than waiting around (or running away), moaning about problems, and hoping someone comes along to fix it for you.

Are the challenges that lie ahead for us, and for our Singapore, bigger than we can handle or even imagine?  Probably.  But our forefathers seem to have managed it.  So hold on to those values that have served us well.  Incorruptibility.  Integrity.  Industry.

But maybe those things seem a bit abstract, a bit too "national".  Maybe you really have lost your job to a foreigner.  Maybe your child really is struggling in school.  Maybe you or a loved one have a serious health issue.  Maybe you just don't know if you're going to make it.

Did you know that the concept of the Jubilee comes from the Bible (Leviticus 25)?  Every 7 years, God commanded a Sabbath year for the fields to lie fallow and rest.  Then after 7 cycles of 7, the 50th year would be a special Sabbath.  All debts would be forgiven, everything would be "reset".

If there's something new you want to start in this Jubilee year, let it be this - reset.  Turn to God, the One who made heaven and earth, and yes, you.  Return home and ask, can all my mistakes and failures and debts and faults be forgiven?  I don't want to be the old me any more.  Can I start again?  And He will tell you "Already done."

"Count off seven sabbath years - seven times seven years - so that the seven sabbath years amount to a period of 49 years...  Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.  It shall be a jubilee for you..."  Leviticus 25:8, 10

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17

Happy Golden Jubilee Singapore!

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