Reflections For Good Friday - 2021 - Ms Elaine Sung

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Reflections for Good Friday 2021

Another year has zipped by and here I am, rambling again! Current situation  contrasts with the environment when ‘Reflection 2020’ was written.  Then, due to many cancelled events, I could send my write-up ahead of schedule. 1 year on, it’s a different scene! 4 days to Good Friday and I am at Draft #1!  Though we are still in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, most activities have resumed in some form or other. Lessons learnt at the onset of the pandemic seems long forgotten… until Andy comes a-calling! 😊 

Going to church was a Sunday routine…who would have imagined church doors to be closed due to the pandemic!!  Seriously, God! At a time when people need You, need to hear Your Word, need to experience You – there is no access!! What’s the big idea? But, wait a minute…isn’t God omnipresent?  He is everywhere, He is not confined to a building, His presence is not restricted to the walls of worship halls, He certainly can teach (and in my case, rebuke) anytime, anywhere!

Articles have been written about how God is using the online church services to reach homes, much like how the early church gathered. Some have also said this pandemic is God’s way of shaking us out of apathy and complacency. Regardless of one’s view, we can agree that all have been impacted by the pandemic. So, what has God taught me in the past year?  I shall highlight 2 key lessons.

Well, for a start, I have learnt not to take going to church for granted!!  Church has always been a place of solace for me. Schooled in a mission school, the chapel was my go-to place to muster courage before heading home with a colourful report book. Since coming to faith, weekly service is a time to pause and be quiet before Him and be refreshed by worship and God’s Word.  How thankful and grateful I was when church doors could re-open albeit with restricted numbers and movement. 

Secondly, ask not what the church can do for me but rather, what I can do for the church. Expectations are high with regards to how church should respond to the increasing pastoral and financial needs of the congregation. We grumble and fret at the slow response to improve the weekly online service, we want a slick production, we want live worship, we want text, we want graphics, many “we wants”. But, hey! We are in this together!  Pastors and church staff are grabbling with new ways of doing things. All had to respond immediately to the changes despite reservations. I remember at the start of circuit breaker, Pastors had to preach from their homes! Some were clearly out of their comfort zone in front of the camera! But, they were willing, their heart was to reach the sheep God has entrusted them with. As a long-time church member, I should be asking how I can help in such a time as this. There are so many ways to step forward if only I would think less of my own comfort & convenience. 

Is Easter different in a pandemic? No, because His message of the Cross is still the same, but the pandemic has increased the urgency to share God’s love to those who are hurting and in desperate need of the Good News. I as a child of God rise up to the occasion. Romans 15:13, Blessed Easter everyone! 

Written by Ms. Elaine Sung.

Many thanks Elaine.

Connect to her other articles-

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflections-for-good-friday-2020-elaine.html

https://singapore60smusic.blogspot.com/2019/04/good-friday-took-on-new-meaning-ms.html

O Mighty Cross - YouTube Video by Analyn Solano. Thank You.

O Mighty Cross 

O mighty cross,

Love lifted high
The Lord of life
Raised there to die

His sacrifice on Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to me

O mighty cross,
What throne of grace
He knew no sin,
Yet took my place
His sacrifice on Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to me

O mighty cross,
O Christ so pure
Love held Him there,
Such shame endured
His sacrifice on Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to me

O mighty cross,
My soul's release,
The stripes He bore,
Have brought me peace
His sacrifice on Calvary
Has made the mighty cross
A tree of life to me

 

Songwriters: David Baroni / John Chisum

O Mighty Cross lyrics © Integrity's Praise Music, Integrity's Hosanna! Music.

Images - A Personal Collection, Google.

Video - YouTube - Analyn Solano.

Live at City Hall, Newcastle, England 1968. 

Cliff Richard, 'What A Friend We Have In Jesus'