Let them see God in you
PC: Grace Cheong
Covid-19 is not an enemy to humankind, but an enemy to "humanity"
aka, the way of humans.
Today, we're going to talk about how disappointing this world could be?
And what are you gonna do about it?
As to what I pointed out in my last writing, due to survivorship, humanity has to be irresponsible, self-centered, selfish, self-justified, and etcetera. This is not a hard fact to swallow and today, we see many world leaders succumbed to the pandemic. They were asked to resign by their own supporters. People who once adorned and worshipped them as gods have now spit when hearing their names. We're talking about world leaders like Donald Trump, Boris Johnson, Jair Bolsorano, Narendra Modi, Mahiaddin Yasin (Malaysia, in case if you don't know this guy).
But why?
These five men superheroes team was once celebrated but when the pandemic hits, the depth of human nature was revealed. I won't say they're at fault for their policies. They tried at best in the "humane way" to balance between the countries' economy and death tolls. However, the old men are not done with their politics yet and this pandemic doesn't joke. The Black Death in the 13th century lasted for almost a decade. It came from nowhere and went away like mist in the dawn. No one really knows how it ended. Our lockdown and vaccines have helped to elevate the miseries and gave us the freedom to travel a little but didn't solve the root problems. In a country like Malaysia, we're now in both poverty and illness. In case if you wonder, we just won the title as the new "sick man" of Southeast Asia.
The "powers" that they love have just consumed em' all.
FYI, I just got a package of rice, oil, flour, tea bags, and some seasonings from the food bank. *(Not like I asked, the workers insist I'm overqualified)
So how does the story started?
A little fact here: Worldwide, America is known to be a Christian country with a majority of 75% identified themselves as Christians. During the year 2016, Trump got 81% votes of the evangelical Christians and is celebrated as a Christian figure because he made the U.S. a close ally to Israel and has promised to uproot LGBT and abortion laws in the US. These upset a lot of women who were pregnant in rape, left them in despair. Despite human rights movements soaring in the nation, many Christian leaders like John MacArthur openly preached that people who doesn't support Trump are not Christian.
But does what McArthur said really matters?
Fact check on the Bible, it was indirectly mentioned on many occasions that those who blessed Israel will be blessed and those who cursed it will be cursed. But it also mentioned that Israel will be punished for its retaliation. That explained why they wandered on Earth for 2000 years after the murder of Jesus. Maybe some of us thinking because Jews are back to the land means they have gained favor from God again, and now the blessings are back again. However, the truth is, today, Israel is still the old Israel, maybe stronger but still chose to walk on its own.
Then here comes the question, could this Israel be the Israel God refers to?
My answer is: Hardly. The identity of Israel does not base on ethnicity or geographic locations but also refers to God's anointed people who walked his path. To add, all Christians are God's anointed people, engrafted into his plan of salvation once conserved unto Jews only. I personally don't think current Israel is the Israel God refers to in the Bible as Israel should be the blessing to all nations but today look at what they did to Palestinians.
They are humans just like you and me.
So how the story of the WWF wrestler ended?
Donald Trump, with his lies and delusions, is responsible for 607k deaths in the U.S and still counting. Yet, people once believed he is the savior, and some still am. Their defense was as long as he is a Christian, regardless of his personality as a liar, delusioner, tax evader, rapist, murderer, God can use him to do His will. This is true. But, here we wanna argue that God can use anyone, even an atheist. Then why God must use Donald Trump who doesn't believe in climate change? Well, God forbids. Reluctantly, he has to pass the baton to Biden who is a Catholic after a failed Capitol raid, now he is charged for inciting a riot and tax evasion.
What about life in Malaysia now?
In Malaysia, our constitutional law requires each Malaysian to believe in God. However, we became a nation that utilized the title of God for personal benefits. In fact, we adorned Arab cultures more than our own. Arab Saudi as a country is slick in politics. They opened up as a country for Hajr made tons of money every year from the so-called Pilgrimages. They served as a symbolic nation and protector of Muslims only when you have the money and paid for Umrah and Hajr. When the world condemned China for oppression against Ughur, Arabs remain silent. They kept their close business tie with China. Across its Peninsula, Yemenians are dying of war and poverty. Arab turned on blind eyes. When coming to the most controversial Palestinian issue, the intelligence report indicates extensive back scene diplomatic and cooperation with Israel. Another Arab country, UAE chose to remain neutral and had full diplomatic relations with Israel. To many, "God" is just a title, the love of money surpassed moral integrity, and all the others. When covid hits hard in Malaysia, the government donated 30 million ringgit Malaysia to Palestinians but left our peoples in pangs of hunger.
Here in this country, the zakat fund is not available to the average civilian.
It's for political play.
I have seen backstage scenes even in the Christian churches. I have seen a church elder leaving his tenants in a disastrous rental house, with water leaking from the water tank on top of the ceiling for more than a year. The white wall is molded and the bed looked floating on the water whenever someone is using the bathroom. Despite many complaints, no one is helping those poor tenants (students) until someone chose to step forward to confront the elder in the church. I have seen in the church, a married woman, whose husband is a gambler and a daydreamer, despite being begged by the wife to interfere, the church elder, chose to do nothing and leave their marriage to disaster just because they favor over the husband more than anyone else. I have seen a church that chose to turn on blind eyes on a Muslim convert to live in the Christian graveyard in extreme fear of being beaten and robbed by his own peoples because he chose to follow Christ. He showered nakedly in the graveyard and the church refused to provide a shelter on the excuse that he was once a thief and a vandalizer.
When I was 22 years old, I fell in love with a pastor's daughter. The parents asked me to meet them, just to tell me they prefer someone of similar background. My dad is a farmer and the pastor's family is doing well in insurance, earning million ringgit a year. In summary, they kinda tell me, "Fxxx off, poor mud, who do you think you are"?
If you put your hopes on humans, or so-called Christians, or the church, many of them are going to disappoint you. Who could believe someone like Ravi Zacharias is a womanizer who preys on his church members? But of course, we can always have our stance right? The only way this can happen is when you and I allow it and do nothing. Don't ask yourself what can you do. You can at least disagree with them and chose to not conform.
The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
John Stuart Mill
Despite all, I admire Daniel in the Bible, he and his fellow friends chose to not abide by Babylonian laws. They're foreigners who were forced to worship another god (Bel) there and when they refused to, they were persecuted in many ways. They took their stance and got thrown into a fiery pit. When everyone thinks they're done, God manifested and protected them. Babylonians, their persecutors saw a fourth person in the fire, they saw God among them, not one hair nor one string from their body is burned.
Daniel could have much disappointment since they did what's best to worship God but people hated them. They could have asked why things are not going well? They could ask why are they the ones sent to Babylon to suffer? But they didn't, they chose to live obedient lives with no complaints. God used them and Babylonians see Him standing in the midst of Daniel and his friends.
I can't promise that God would do this to everyone but you and I can always say no to oppression.
We can't decide the outcomes, but we can always make a stance.
In the middle of difficulties, many chose to blame instead of seeing it as an opportunity for us to soar. We often overlooked God who is a testimony maker. We chose to depend on ourselves rather than Him. It happened to me as well. Due to many things I saw in life and the ligament injuries I experienced 5 years ago, I started to doubt God. Are there no rewards for a man who follows His law? and is there no punishment for those who go against Him?
So what's the answer I found?
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Be still and let them see God in you!
See you next week!
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