Dec 22nd, 2021: How to Overcome Pandemic Fatigue?




We have heard more and more about pandemic fatigue lately. We don't fully know everything. Sometimes wish we have the mind to understand the goodness and the wickedness of humanity so that we can see things clearly and have a definite answer for any challenge in life. However, that might not be a plan that God has in mind for us. He wants us to be people of faith as Mary and Joseph were.


Having faith is to be open to the many unexpected events in life. So what does it mean to have faith when we resent everything about this virus?


Meditate on Jesus' birth and stop talking about the virus. If we can all do that, it will be a miracle. Jesus' birth should be more exciting news than any virus. Maybe, we discover the gentle side of our hearts and the compassionate side of our minds when we learn to embrace God's love for the world through it. 


Practice hospitality as much as we are allowed. Buy Christmas Dinner for a needy family. Take some new Canadians skiing or snowshoeing (for the unvaccinated folks, there is no risk). Reach out to those who are alone. Sometimes we have become more selfish during this time of the year.


Be mindful of what God is doing around us and participate with Him. We might encounter some very delightful surprises. God is at work regardless of the many restrictions we have. Seek for His presence in all things, and we will see Him. 


"And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." ~ Matthew 28:20


"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." ~ Colossians 3:17

 

Popular posts from this blog

Aug 31st, 2024: Confession

Image
Dealing with pain sometimes affects our ability and flexibility. A physiotherapist friend gave me a set of home exercises to help with that. They are simple yet intense at the same time. Dealing with our human brokenness sometimes affects our ability to see and hear God. Our commitment to spiritual disciplines must be at the core of our relationship with God. One of the disciplines I have been trying to embrace more fully is confession. It’s not just about recognizing where we have gone wrong; it’s about how we have chosen to live our lives independently from God. It’s about whether we truly want God to be part of our lives. The absence of meaningful confession will damage our freedom to experience intimacy with God. "Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy." - Proverbs 28:13
Read more

Sept 4th, 2024: Praying in Images

Image
It has been a rough few days. Living in immense pain does not allow us much energy to think about anything. I ended up praying in images, and not many words came out of my mouth. Most of the images were of people I know. God knew that I was praying for them as their faces came to my mind. I did not need to mention the circumstances or situations of their lives—He knows. My heart was at peace as I ended my days with these images. He will take care of my body, and I know this because I was able to get some sleep. Tomorrow is in His hands.
Read more

Oct 1st, 2022: Be With Those Who Suffer

Image
  Listening to a young woman who shared her experience of being raped repeatedly by a family member for over four years as a teenager made my heart ache. The man who did that was a leader of a church. He was imprisoned for seven months and released. He was her stepfather. Her mother chose to pick him over her after his release. Her life has changed forever. She had to go to a foster home. Her foster parents helped her with her restoration and her faith in God. Her supervisor at work asked me to see her because someone at work was inappropriate toward her. That triggered many emotions within her. I did not expect the story I heard from her. The meeting took longer than I thought, and it was toward the end of the day. She kept talking about her anger and the pain she felt when men treated her like a subject. I knew that the best I could do was to listen. She told me she had not been able to tell anyone as much as with me. God reminded me of the true calling of being a pas...
Read more