11 Jun Communities of Resilience

11 June 2023

COMMUNITIES OF RESILIENCE

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12, recommend reading the full text, 1:1-18)

As I am doing my theological study at Trinity Theological College in Singapore with a scholarship from CWM, God has given me an opportunity to be involved and served in one of the Myanmar Christian communities in Singapore. Most of them are migrant workers from Myanmar working as domestic helpers and in the construction sector. Many of them are in distress due to various problems arising in their families back in Myanmar, especially due to the military coup, and here they face hardships in their work and from their employers. They are not fluent in English and, therefore, unable to join local churches. As a result, different dialect groups have formed fellowships with two main objectives: to conduct regular worship service in their respective dialects and to assist each other when in need so that their spiritual, mental, and physical well-being is taken care of while they are in Singapore as foreigners. They are, in fact, the communities of resilience.

James, probably the brother of Jesus, sent the letter to the (Jewish) Christian communities scattered all over the Palestinian world, perhaps due to persecution

(Ja. 1:1). James points out two kinds of difficulties encountered by the communities: trials that come from extreme circumstances (Ja. 1:2), and temptations to sin which come from the inner man (1:13-15). In both cases, James names three essential reasons they should keep in mind so that they might preserve their faith amidst difficulties. First, he wanted them to see hardships as means of blessing, not as curses. The Jewish people strongly believed that hardship, suffering, and death were God’s curse upon sinners (Gen. 3:16-19). But Jesus, by his suffering, death, and resurrection, changed the curse into a blessing for believers through faith (Gal. 3:1314). Therefore, James encouraged the believers to be happy when facing different trials because the hardships will help their faith grow into maturity or Christlikeness (Ja. 1:2-4).

Second, James assured them of God’s love. They should know that temptations stem from their own evil desires and not from God (Ja. 1:13-15). Therefore, amidst trials and temptations, they should trust God who works for the good of those who love him (Rom. 8:28), who gives generously to all who ask with true faith (Ja. 1:58), and from whom all good and perfect gifts come (Ja. 1:16-18). Third, James encouraged them to fix their eyes on their future glory, not on the present hardships. Although they faced different kinds of trials and temptations and might not receive glory and honour on earth, God, who keeps an eye on their struggles against the difficulties, will reward them with eternal life, that is, living with God forever (Ja. 1:12). Christians who are scattered all over the world face trials from external circumstances and inner temptations and hence live in distress. We need to remember that hardships are the means for our growth in faith, that God in love gives all things generously, and that we fix our eyes on our future glory—to live with God forever.

prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Son who suffered and died on our behalf and gave us new life. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, whom you sent to be with us and strengthen us. Grant us your grace so that we may support our brothers and sisters all over the world who are in distress due to trials and temptations. Amen.

for further thought

What is the significance of the temptation, suffering, and death of Jesus for our dayto-day trials and temptations?

Van Biak Muan

Presbyterian Church of Myanmar