Navigating COVID

Even within our church, as badly as our English and Chinese congregations have been hit by the pandemic, the situation is likely more dire in our minority-language congregations – think, for example, our Myanmar congregation. Many of them in the construction industry have lost their jobs and are tightening on an already penny-pinching budget. Have we considered their hardships, or have we been too selfabsorbed grumbling about not being able to take an overseas vacation this year? My hand is up, I find myself inexcusably guilty of this.

Notwithstanding that, and difficult as the circumstances and living conditions may be for our Myanmar brothers and sisters, at least they have some measure of spiritual comfort in Christ. What then about the Shepherd-less beyond the walls of our church, those who are suffering and do not have Christ to turn to? As multitudes upon multitudes are growing more desperate for comfort and solace, it is at times such as these that Apostle Matthew’s words “the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few” ring most true. Suddenly an offer for salvation and answers to life’s difficult questions would be met by droves of willing patrons. Suddenly evangelist outreaches do not require us reaching out too far.

DESPERATE TIMES, AVAILABLE MEASURES

Recent months have reignited the truth of the old chestnut that the church is not made up of brick and mortar, but rather by its congregation. This truth is made more poignant with the emergence, popularity and availability of virtual meetings. Terms like “Zoom”, “Teams”, “Meet” and “live stream” which were unheard of a year ago are today discussed in just about every engagement. Live streaming and virtual meetings are here to stay for the conceivable future whether we like it or not, and whilst these alternatives can never take the place of a physical church’s corporate worship, it can nonetheless go to places we never imagined. Today, our worship sessions, sermons, prayer altars, ministries and cell group meetings are reaching further than Petaling Jaya, Puchong and Ipoh, they are also reaching Australia, Cape Town and the Scandinavian regions.

That said, this “online stuff” (as my mom calls it) is understandably not the most easily accessible – this is especially so for those more senior in years such as our Golden Club members. Frustrated as we may be in not being able to attend church or meet friends and family in person, it would be even more frustrating for those who want to meet virtually, but do not know how. Beyond family members, perhaps this is a ministry prospect in itself. Perhaps we should mobilise our youth, a generation of naturally tech-savvy brothers and sisters within our congregation? Would not such a ministry be a godsend to those who are struggling with staying connected virtually? Whilst the church doors remain closed to physical meetings, would it not be a delight to find our Golden Club ministry continuing to meet online and perhaps even attending celebrations together virtually on a watch party? For many of us, attending watch parties with our cell group members and having virtual cell meeting are a given. But for those who find

...the church is not made up of brick and mortar, but rather by its congregation.

It is fully conceded that such virtual alternatives are no real replacements to the bond that is formed when meeting in person. As comforting as online fellowship may be, it can never replace the comfort of a warm hug – that is something the virtual realm simply cannot duplicate. Nonetheless, this pandemic offers us a unique opportunity to make the most of these virtual means to reach out to those who would otherwise be left out of our gatherings due to physical distance. Suddenly, organising a virtual Christmas get-together with relatives staying in Penang, Johor, Singapore and New Zealand, and with cousins studying in Australia, Hong Kong, UK and USA does not seem too remote an idea. This opportunity to see everyone’s faces, and come together to worship, pray, update and perhaps even have a meal together, simultaneously, from all over the world might very well be our year’s highlight – and if our grandparents are blessed to be part of this virtual gathering to see everyone’s faces and hear everyone’s voice, this Christmas will likely be their most memorable one yet.

Let us remember Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Hebrews where, in Hebrews 10:25, he reminded us to not give up meeting together but instead to continue encouraging one another. It is possibly by divine providence that Apostle Paul’s words here (and as it is translated across all major versions of the Bible) do not suggest that this meeting mandatorily only refers to physical meetings. So, whilst virtual meetings do not replace physical meetings, given the present circumstances, let us nonetheless utilise these virtual means to fulfil Apostle Paul’s reminder. Done right, this year’s Christmas will not be reminisced as the Christmas which the pandemic wrecked, rather it will be remembered as the Christmas which was celebrated on the grandest scale with loved ones across the globe coming together in worship of His birth.

A DIFFERENT CHRISTMAS IS NOT A BAD CHRISTMAS

The coronavirus will most certainly change Christmas for us this year. What we have grown used to and expect from Christmas will almost entirely be thrown into disarray as the pandemic disrupts what would otherwise be our staple, usual and predictable Christmas set up. But one thing this pandemic will not do is it will not cancel Christmas. The 25th of December will inescapably come and go, and it is up to us to choose a response.

A different Christmas this year may not necessarily be a bad thing. Approached properly, this year’s different Christmas may be exactly what we need – a break from our templated Christmas traditions, to become the most exceptional, memorable and spiritual Christmas we have ever had.

Navigating by Sarah Lye, PJS2 COVID

Everyone can testify to the same – the highlight for 2020 will be the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic which has affected not only our health, our emotions, our physical being and mental health but also the way we do things and/ or see things! All that we had planned at the beginning of the year - vacations, dreams, desires - have all been thrown out of our lives. We feel sad, disappointed, angry and frustrated because all our plans have been dashed! Some of us may even feel dejected, tired and exhausted as we go through the cycles of controlled movement again. This is because at this point of writing, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Selangor are undergoing the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO) for another two weeks. And, this means that it has been already one month of CMCO! Schools, kindergartens, day-care centres, colleges and universities are not allowed to operate in order to flatten the curve of the third wave that has hit our country.

The pandemic has also caused negative consequences on the economy. Many companies and small businesses and entrepreneurs have closed down or are on the verge of closing down. They are trying to stay afloat amidst the uncertainty of COVID-19. Sentiments of frustration, hopelessness and lamentation are widely seen in or expressed by many people. Those who have lost their jobs (and maybe their sanity!) are trying their best to survive. They are not able to have food on the table or a roof over their heads. People all across the board are going through some kind of depression and making huge adjustments as they try to cope with the challenges and the uncertainties of COVID-19. over us, we have been robbed of social interaction as we are not able to meet in person with our friends, family members or relatives. In the past, we loved to spend time talking and chatting with our friends over a meal. However, now most of the time, we only connect digitally via Whatsapp or Zoom, Google Meet, Skype or Wechat and other digital avenues. Even office meetings are being conducted online! We do not get to eat with our colleagues or talk to them face-to-face in person. We lose the human touch although we are created to have fellowship with people around us. Because of the pandemic and restricted movement, we have to work from home, and we limit our movement in order not to contract the deadly virus. This is all affecting our thoughts, our minds - psychologically and socially!

How then do we overcome these negative emotions that we may be facing or feeling? How do we navigate through this situation? How can we as children of God with a great destiny respond to these challenges? First and foremost, we must turn our eyes to Jesus and not look at the storm around us. We have to be intentional We have to be intentional to fix our eyes on God alone as to fix our eyes on God alone God alone is our hope and as God alone is our hope security. Psalm 121: 1,2 says: and security. “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth”. Proverbs 18:10 says: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous run to it and are safe”. When we put our trust in God alone and not on the situation around us or our finances or job, God will help us overcome our challenges. It may not be easy but by God’s grace and strength, we can pull through because of His love and grace over us.

One thing that we can thank God for is that the pandemic has taught us how vulnerable and fragile life is. As such, we are to make space and make time to connect with God even more. We need to make time to listen to Him more and reflect. We need to slow down and listen to what He is saying to us. We need to slow down and reflect. We need to breathe in His life and depend on His grace and love each day. John 15:5 says: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me— put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

Hence, to move forward despite whatever the wave of COVID-19 brings, we must place our hope and trust in God alone. We must not be fearful and give room to fear. It is natural to be fearful of the unknown. Isaiah 43:1 says: “But now, this is what the Lord says, he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel, ‘Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name, you are mine.”

We need God every moment of our lives. We need His grace even more than before God is our Firm Foundation and our during this challenging time. His grace is Security. The future is so uncertain but sufficient for us as we battle through our we have this only hope in Jesus! And Christ negative emotions. His is more than enough! God holds ever-sufficient grace will We need His grace our future in His loving hands. help carry us through. We are to rely on His grace and not depend on our even more than before during this Jeremiah 29:11 says: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you strength or our intellect. challenging time. and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. There is also a great need for us to connect to God in prayer. Besides praying for protection for ourselves, we also commit to the Lord the medical front-liners who have been working day and night for the past eight to ten months. We also pray for healing and recovery for those who are being treated for the disease. We also pray that people will continue to be vigilant in obeying the SOPs that have been set up by the authorities. We need to ask for God’s intervention to handle the pandemic. We ask for God’s mercy to heal the economic situation of our country. Only God can turn the situation around as He alone is sovereign.

We need God’s supernatural peace as we face the pandemic storm. The Bible in Philippians 4:6,7 says “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” We need God’s peace around us, taking care of all our concerns and worries. And we are to focus on what is right, true, and excellent. Philippians 4:8,9 says: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about Isaiah 26:3,4 says “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.” Those who trust in the Lord will be saved. Lean on God’s peace.

How assuring is the Lord’s promise that when we put our trust in Him, no matter how difficult the challenges may be, we can experience His peace and sense a glimpse of hope. We hold on to the promises of God in the Bible and God will never leave us nor forsake us. We can trust in God’s faithfulness and His Word! Proverbs 29:25 says “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever who trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” So, let us not be faint-hearted or fearful of the future because God holds our future in His loving hands. Let His supernatural peace saturate us to be overcomers! Let us be courageous as children of God and ride above the storm of COVID-19 with God’s grace and strength.