If there are storms ahead, what should your response be? Ps Maggie Kuek shares from the example of Jesus calming the storm.
It’s common to hear people say they are “Looking Forward to the New Year”. Let’s take a look at what it means to look forward to something. It means to feel happy and excited about something that is going to happen.
Looking at the situation around the world and especially in Singapore in 2021, you may wonder, “Is there something that we could all look forward to feel hopeful or excited about for 2022?” The rising figure of COVID-19 cases had caused much concern among us. From September 29 to October 12, 2021, the total number of contacted cases was 40,430 with 183 deaths due to the virus. The leading question amongst us was, “Did you go for your two vaccines?” And now, “Are you going for the third booster jab?”
This pandemic that started in 2019 had brought about many fears and anxieties to people all around the world. Recent reports in newspapers showed a spike in family violence and a surge in mental health issues since the Circuit Breaker kicked in on April 7 this year. An online survey of 1,000 people in Singapore conducted by market research company Ipsos over the period of April 24 to May 4, 2021, indicated that one in four respondents were not in good mental health.
The Lord Calms Our Storms
Is there anywhere from the scriptures that could provide some light to God’s people with regards to our disastrous circumstances? I remembered that there was a petrifying encounter by the disciples that we could relate to our present situation. In the book of Mark 4:35-41, it was recorded how Jesus calmed the storm. The disciples were with the Lord in a boat, there suddenly came a furious squall and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped.
“Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ They were terrified and asked each other, ‘Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!’” (Mark 4:38-41)
The Lord Hears Our Cries
Likewise, today we are also terrified by this life-threatening COVID-19 pandemic. Like the disciples of old, many of us are very affected and inflicted with fear of contracting the deadly Coronavirus. However, we can be encouraged by this scripture. I think the disciples had done something that we could do in the midst of our difficult situation. We can cry to the Lord for help and when the Lord stands up to rebuke the COVID-19 pandemic, and there will be peace and calm in our crisis. Then, we can all proclaim to each other, “Who is He? Even the pandemic obeys Him!”
The Lord is With Us
As such, we should look forward to 2022 with courage and faith as in Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Yes, the disciples were not destroyed by the life-threatening storm as the Lord was with them. Therefore, let us look forward to the new year with courage, faith and excitement, knowing that the Lord is with us. He will answer our cries to end the pandemic. In this timing of pandemic, we are going to be the light and salt of the world. We need to reach out to the many who are struggling and badly affected by this pandemic and bring comfort and encouragement with the Good News of the Gospel to these people.
Have a fruitful year in Jesus. All the best for the coming year!
Ps Maggie Kuek is the Assistant Pastor of Great Shepherd Assembly of God. She is overseer to the Children’s Ministry, Prayer Meetings and a regular speaker for the Sunday Worship Service. Ps Maggie graduated from NTU with a Masters of Education, specializing in Special Education. She is also the Associate Lecturer from NIEC; a MOE trained Spark QA Coach and Founder of MY Learning Ark LLP that conducts training for children, parents and preschool educators. She is also a designer of resource materials for pre-schoolers.
