Thanking God for the time in Cairo

Just landed in Doha from Cairo and now waiting for my connection to Singapore in about an hour. As I sit here reflecting on the past few days, my heart is filled with gratitude to the Lord for an unforgettable time at the DWAM Conference in Cairo.

This was my fourth visit to Cairo, but somehow this visit felt especially meaningful.  I am truly grateful to Dr Ehab and his team for the fine organisation of the conference and for inviting me. 

It was a joy to reconnect with friends from the medical profession, some whom I have met before and others whom I was meeting for the first time. DWAM brought together around 300 medical professionals, and what an exceptional group of people they were.

The speakers were highly respected and accomplished in their respective fields of medicine. Yet, what struck me most was not their professional achievements or intellectual abilities. It was their humility.

In a world where achievement can easily become a source of pride, I was deeply moved to hear these men and women acknowledge that, in themselves, they are nothing and that whatever they have, whatever they have accomplished, and whatever influence they carry is ultimately by the grace of God.

There was a beautiful recognition that our professions, our education, our positions and even our abilities are not ends in themselves. They are gifts entrusted to us by God and resources to be stewarded for His purposes.

The worship was simply awesome.

There were hardly any spectators. Almost everyone was singing. There was a sense that people were not merely attending a worship service but were genuinely worshipping the Lord. You could sense a tangible awareness of His presence in the room.

What blessed me was that the expression of worship did not depend on volume, intensity or outward display. It was deeply sincere. There was a quiet but powerful passion for God. There was reverence. There was hunger. There was a genuine desire to honour the One who had called them.

The theme of this year's conference was “Do Business,” taken from Luke 19:13:

“So he called ten of his servants, delivered to them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Do business till I come.’” — Luke 19:13 (NKJV)

Those words took on a very practical meaning throughout the conference.

The challenge was not simply to be Christians in the workplace, but to recognise that the workplace itself is a mission field. God has strategically placed His people in hospitals, clinics, universities, research institutions, corporations and communities. Our professions are not separate from our calling; they can become platforms through which the kingdom of God is expressed.

The different speakers addressed various aspects of this calling, and I was privileged to contribute by handling two sessions. But, in many ways, I felt that I was also there to learn.

As I mingled with the participants and listened to their stories, I sensed a deep commitment to serve God faithfully in the secular spaces where He has placed them. There was a strong desire to take whatever God had entrusted to them, their knowledge, influence, finances, relationships, opportunities, skills and professional expertise, and invest them for the sake of His kingdom.

That, perhaps, was one of the greatest lessons for me.

We often think of kingdom work in terms of what happens inside the church. But Jesus' command to “do business till I come” reminds us that every sphere of life belongs to Him. The operating theatre can be a place of ministry. The consultation room can be a place of compassion. The lecture hall can be a place of influence. A medical practice can become a testimony. Our professional excellence, when surrendered to Christ, can become an offering to God.

I was also struck by the way these believers expressed their faith.

They may not worship in exactly the same way as some Pentecostal or charismatic communities, where loudness, exuberance or a high-pitched expression can sometimes be perceived as an indication of God's presence. But I was reminded again that God looks beyond outward expression and searches the heart.

Here, I saw sincerity. I saw passion. I saw humility. I saw sacrifice.

And I saw men and women who genuinely desire to reach the lost and make their lives count for Christ.

The volume of worship is not necessarily the measure of the depth of worship. Sometimes the most powerful expression of faith is found in a life quietly surrendered to God, in someone who gets up every morning, goes into a demanding profession, serves people faithfully, and intentionally uses every opportunity and every resource for the glory of Christ.

DWAM reminded me that the kingdom needs believers who will do business until the Master returns.

Not everyone is called to stand behind a pulpit. Not everyone will preach to thousands. But every believer has been entrusted with something. We have different gifts, different professions, different spheres of influence and different opportunities. The question is not whether we have been given much or little. The question is: What are we doing with what the Master has placed in our hands?

As I leave Cairo, I do so with a heart full of thanksgiving.

I was also deeply impressed by the group of young ushers. They took care of the logistics and administration of the conference and they did it very well. Many of them are college students, and I imagine that some may eventually pursue careers in medicine or other fields of healthcare. What stood out most was their genuine commitment, kindness, and willingness to serve every participant with such warmth and excellence.

On Friday morning, just before my speaking session, I suddenly came down with a fever and diarrhoea. One of the ushers, Veronica, went out of her way to bring me medication and continued to check on me throughout the day. She made sure I was feeling well enough for my sessions and that I had everything I needed. 

Even though they were young, Veronica and her team demonstrated remarkable patience, firmness, and Christian character in the way they interacted with people and carried out their responsibilities. They handled the conference with maturity, grace, and a genuine spirit of service. Their conduct was a beautiful reflection of their faith and a reminder that age does not determine the depth of one’s character or capacity to serve others.

I am going home refreshed, challenged and encouraged.

Refreshed by the fellowship.

Challenged by the example of men and women who are seeking to honour Christ in their professions.

Encouraged by what God is doing among His people.

And, perhaps most importantly, reminded that my own life is also an assignment from God.

May I be found faithful with whatever He has entrusted to me.

May I never become so familiar with the things of God that I lose the wonder of His grace.

May I never measure success merely by achievement, recognition or influence, but by faithfulness to the One who called me.

And when the Master returns, may He find that we have not buried what He entrusted to us, but have invested it faithfully for His kingdom. - “Do business till I come.”

That is the challenge I carry with me from Cairo. And by His grace, may we all be found faithful.