Dear COA Family,
Sometimes we presume that things will always get back accordingly to what is “normal”.
But what if what we consider as the “normal” state of affairs is actually not normative at all?
The reason why I am highlighting this is because three years ago, our churches were hit by the Covid crises and all had to pivot immediately to online services for an extended period of time. At that time, we had hoped that, like SARS, it will last for a few months at most. Yet it took us three years to fully emerge from that crisis.
It is therefore important not to take our “normal” state of living for granted. We should instead be thankful for the blessings we have today of being able to meet physically together for services, cell groups and fellowships, being able to converse with one another and sing freely when we wish to and, most of all, being able to partake in the Holy Communion as a church family. We should never take any of these blessings for granted!
The Bible reminds us to always be in an attitude of thanksgiving for the blessings we have received from the Lord, and not take for granted that these are things that we deserve or that occur naturally.
King David acknowledges this truth in 1 Chronicles 29:14: “For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you.”
The Apostle Paul too confesses that it is God alone who “richly provides us with everything to enjoy” (1 Timothy 6:17).
So, as we go through the service on Sunday, let’s not think of our activities of gathering, singing and interacting with others a normative state of affairs, as if they are naturally occurring or that we have a right to them. If we do think like this, we may have taken all of the lessons that God has intended to teach us in the past few years for granted.
Instead, let’s be fully thankful for all of the blessings that we enjoy as gifts from our loving heavenly Father towards us and always in an attitude of gratitude, thanksgiving and praise to Him. This is His will for our lives.
God bless,
Revd Ian