I look back and recall,
My 5 month stay at Canary Wharf, London,
Memories I cherish were not the modern buildings standing tall,
But from a barge, a peaceful refuge, a drinking well,
Every midweek I could return.
Canary Wharf, London is a pleasant place to be working at, with large open spaces, serene waterways and state of the art intelligent buildings. Yet, if I have not discovered St. Peter's Barge, a floating church that aims to serve the office workers nearby, I would not have taken the time to take lunch time strolls to appreciate the beauty of this place. I thank God for providing the vision in 2003 to the church leadership to purchase a Dutch freight barge so that it could be at a near location for city workers to go to. The church has since grown in numbers and now holds 3 midweek sessions and 2 Sunday services. The idea that it is merely a boat, made me doubt that it would hold enough people, have an efficient program and be a pleasant experience, but as I step in for the first time, instantly I felt at ease with the beauty of its interior and the comfort the heating facilities and its furniture provided for an encounter with God. Its a reminder of how 5 loaves and 2 fishes is enough to feed 5000 people. The needs in this life can be met by the most simple solutions that need not require too much worry, but only trust in God.
These days, most office workers are stuck in their office with little time to catch the sunlight. When they do, it is to rush to grab a meal, to meet someone during lunch time or to accomplish an errand in the space of a short time. Some even have their meals in front of their computers everyday. I discovered that a 3o minute midweek service is a good refuge from such a meaningless routine as we constantly need to challenge ourselves to pause and reflect on our work and our purpose. Its hard when you are on a conveyor belt of appointments or string of tasks to be completed. Yet, a 30 minute break to walk away, listen to the Word of God, reflect and pray may bring us closer to the simple solution of meeting the urgent demands of our work. It has for me, as God uses the midweek service at the Barge to challenge me, of how I need to be more kind to my colleagues, of how I can always depend on Him even in the nitty gritty details of my work. Its a refreshing reminder that God is in the midst of my work and when I return to my desk at my office, I have received a new perspective to carry on. Its even more effective than a cell group meeting that you attend after work which probably meets family needs more than work needs, since our mind may easily forget the lessons the day before. Yet, reading the bible in the middle of the day can steer us in the right direction, and so would a morning devotion for many.
When I go for a midweek service, I would bring a sandwich along or buy one at the Barge. Its however not a staple lunch time food for many Asian countries unlike in the Western world. The eating habits in Asia have gotten more demanding that it maybe difficult to forego a proper meal at a restaurant during lunch. There also seem to be more errands to run in Asia compared to Europe. I do hope that I would find and fit in a midweek session when I am in Hong Kong. A thought came to mind that I can find a quiet spot to just pray and read the bible, though that seems harder to do than listen to a message from the bible given by a pastor. Yet, there is a great need to pause, reflect and seek after God who alone can meet our needs.
Do you join a midweek Christian service? Where is it, how is it organized and how has it benefited you? Do share and encourage everyone.
Check out another blog I write: http://lifenewcreation.blogspot.sg to find about building taking charge of your health and pursuing longer life span.
(Photos do not show Canary Wharf, but photos of Oxford, Castle Mill stream, church of St Mary Magdalen, Martyr's Memorial).
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