A Page From My Journal
Outside the only sounds are the
birds chirping
and the wind chime ringing, while the streets are desolate as all
Malaysians
stay indoors during this movement control order (MCO). Almost like a
scene from
a familiar movie, yet this is the new reality for now.
Depending on your personality and life
circumstances your reactions to this current reality will vary.
My heart
resonates with the desolation on
the streets, isolated and alone (except for my dog Oreo) in an
unfamiliar
place. A string of events and circumstances had me moving just 2 days
before
the MCO to a temporary house on the other side of KL.
The lack of some basic amenities at such a
time as this, coupled with feeling unsafe (because of a history of
break-ins)
left me feeling desolated. The prideful side of me anted to brush
these
feelings aside with a message to myself “you should be stronger than this, you have faced more
challenging
situations, been in less safe places and lived in less comfortable
conditions.
Chin up and get on with life. “
God
is my one true reality
Yet I
sensed an invitation from God to
linger a bit and to pay attention. There are seasons and times when God
allows
desolation in our hearts, to take us back to the only one true reality
in our
lives, God himself. God isn’t only good when he gives us the
desires of our hearts, takes away suffering and sorrows. God is good
and ever
present, even amid hardship, loneliness, pain and sadness. When all is
stripped
away, God is still my one true reality and even this desolation will
come to
pass.
Community is my strength
But as a follower of Jesus, I don’t have to journey through the desolation seasons of life alone. We can lean into fellowship with the people of God and draw strength from within. During a recent online CIA* life group gathering we were each asked to share how we are. When it was my turn, I chose to be vulnerable and shared that it has been difficult. I shared because community is my strength and praying together is a balm to the soul. They in turn listened without judgement and simply loved me.
In this
season of Covid -19 we the church
need each other more than ever. But in-light of the MCO and social
distancing
how do we support each other and express that we all belong to each
other? How
do we collectively experience this season as one body?
At FBC
the life groups (LG) is where we
can nurture friendship, disciple, listen to each other, share life and
pray
especially in this season. Some avoid LG because building community
takes
effort, time, and trust. In fact, it’s risky to allow people into our lives. But I see no other
way. Besides exhortation from scripture
that
reminds us we are many parts of one body (Eph 4:2-6, Gal 6:2, Rom 12:5)
the
truth is community is our strength as we seek to walk the narrow path
of faith.
Pari
*CIA-Christians in Action