Singaporeans heard the challenge to “Go Beyond” at our 61st year of independence. This call to action encourages us to push beyond our comfort zones, strive for progress and care for one another. For Christians, to ‘Go Beyond’ reminds us about:
Going the second mile. ‘ 43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.’ (Matt 5:43,44).
Instead of hate, we are to love. Beyond superficial love, we are to go beyond in praying for them.
Forging ahead. ‘ 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:13,14).
Instead of being weighed down by past failures or achievements, we are to advance to the future. To ‘strain forward’ and ‘press on’ are injunctions to go beyond simply going with the tide, but to reach forward with effort, over earthly ambitions, heading for heavenly pursuits.
Stepping out in faith. 4 And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.” (Luke 5:4,5).
Peter was instructed by Jesus to launch out into the deep and let down his nets. Despite having toiled all night without success, Peter’s faith and trust led him to go beyond human logic – ‘But at your word I will down the nets.’
Go beyond!
Richard Lai
