Today, more than in any other time in history, there are ministries and individuals who are seeking to make known the glory of God in every imaginable arena of life.

In Singapore, there are men like Lucas Chow and Timothy Wong who reach out to those in the marketplace. Others who, like Jemima Ooi and Goh Wei Leong, are called to serve the marginalised abroad and at home.

There are pastors like Rev Edmund Chan who quietly mentor leaders, and others like Rev Rick Seaward who plant churches all over the world.

There are those who start movements and others who connect people between movements. There are those who live quiet, faithful lives bringing up precious children, and others who lead dramatic exploits for the Kingdom of God.

We stand on the shoulders of giants.

There are ministries serving the poor, rescuing the oppressed, bringing aid to those in need. Others mentoring fathers, empowering mothers, discipling students, championing the rights of unborn children. Still others minister to those in boardrooms, passionately engage the social discourse, and influence the nations.

This is the Great Commission – the expanded version.

God’s dream

Indeed, as Joseph Chean said to a full hall at GoForth 2018: “God’s Spirit is everywhere!”

Chean is one who knows a thing or two about watching the body of Christ at work – he is the National Director of Youth With A Mission (YWAM) Singapore and Chairman of Fellowship of Missional Organisations Singapore (FOMOS).

National Director of YWAM Singapore, Joseph Chean, speaking about collective obedience at GoForth 2018.

Elaborating on the universality of God, he says: “The Church is the centre – it is where God reveals Himself as the Great High Priest. Through the Church, God’s mercy and holiness are displayed.

“But in all other spheres, God reveals Himself in different ways.”

• In the family, God is revealed as a Parent. He provides a place of nurturing and safety.
• In education, He is revealed as the Great Teacher, displaying knowledge and wisdom.
• In the sphere of business, God is the Provider. He manifests goodness and kindness.
• In healthcare, God is both Creator and Healer.
• In communications, God shows Himself to be a Communicator of Truth. He speaks, constantly!
• In the government, God is King! Revealing His justice through His rule.
• In the arts & entertainment scene, He is the Great Artist. God showcases His beauty. 

Every sphere of society reveals an aspect of God. There is value and space for every Christian who is called to be that ambassador for Christ – wherever they have been placed. 

“God’s dream is to see the whole earth to be filled with the knowledge of the glory of who He is,” says Chean. “This is the purpose of God for which we have been saved!”

But it is a purpose that is fulfilled only through what he terms as a “collective obedience”.

One puzzle piece 

God’s purpose is meant to be fulfilled by every single person who identifies himself as a Christian, a follower of Christ.

“We each hold pieces of the puzzle,” emphasises Chean. “God’s purposes will be fulfilled in collective obedience, when each of us willingly holds our pieces of the puzzle in our hands, and with a personal knowledge of the nature of God, we express His character wherever we are in the most tangible ways.

“In God’s heart and mind, He has a billion jigsaw pieces of a great puzzle. But God has given to each of us 10-20 pieces; no one on earth has a complete picture of what God wants. No one has all the pieces, but we all carry some pieces.

“And our pieces are incomplete until we meet at a certain place, with certain people and we suddenly realise how our pieces were meant to be joined together.”

The LoveSingapore 40.Day prayer booklet phrased it this way: “Like Hansel and Gretel dropping bread crumbs in the forest, God leaves clues pointing to Himself in every religion, in every people, in their poetry and on their artefacts.”  

 “I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfil my purpose.” (Isaiah 46:10-11)

Growing into ambassadors

But as Chean emphasises: “It is not just about the task!”

The Great Commission is not where we begin our journey as ambassadors. In fact, it starts with our walk with Jesus – because “all this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself”. (2 Corinthians 5:18) 

It is only when we look at the nature and character of God, and what God desires for each of us, that we can truly see the Great Commission.

Walking with Jesus, God is revealed to us. The nature of God being who He is, but who we can never be – powerful, great or sovereign. And yet, the character of God which we can become – righteous, gracious, loving.

Walking with Jesus, the love from God and for God becomes the fuel that gives us the energy to fulfil His purposes in all the earth, amongst our brethren and the unreached.

So, what’s our part in God’s grand plan?

Know God. Obey God. Please God.

In that order.