I’ve always enjoyed watching movies about pandemics, but never would I imagine that we would undergo this as a shared global experience. Regardless of country, race or religion, we now all understand what it is like to live in quarantine (we call it “circuit breaker” in Singapore).
Now, phrases like “safe-distancing”, reminders to wear a mask when we step out of the house, to wash and sanitise our hands are commonplace. We have also witnessed panic-buying, made the rapid (and desperate) transition to an online world of meetings, church services and social gatherings.
This is definitely one for the history books, or rather the online historical archives. Nothing is “normal” this time.
The things we used to take for granted—our freedom to go out when we want, to earn a living, to meet our friends without wearing a mask, to feel safe walking around in public—has come to an abrupt halt.
This pandemic is our “Good Friday” moment
Over the recent Lent period, God was leading me to reflect on Jesus’ last days on earth: it feels like we may be experiencing some kind of “Good Friday” today.
The disciples on Good Friday witnessed the torture and death of their beloved Leader, Teacher and Friend. They were likely filled with a deep sense of grief, uncertainty, confusion, anger, fear for what happened and what lay ahead.
Perhaps this “circuit breaker” has triggered similar emotions for you and me, which we need to grapple with as we adjust to this “new normal.”
We all may be in the same storm, but we are in different boats. Each of us is experiencing this pandemic in our unique way. However, most of us probably share a desire for things to quickly “return to normal.”
This is an extremely stressful time for some—those who have lost jobs and income, those who live in real fear of the virus threat, parents who are overwhelmed working from home coupled with the demands of home-based learning for their kids.
Also keeping in mind those who have fallen sick or lost loved ones, those who are frontline healthcare workers and helping professionals in essential services that are working hard to keep things going. We pray for them and are ever so grateful for them.
There was nothing “normal” about Good Friday.
The trial that Jesus faced was illegal, unjust and full of contradictions that led to the crucifixion of an innocent man. From the perspective of the disciples on Good Friday, the loss and death of Jesus appeared to be a great tragedy of defeat and shame—the Jesus whom they gave their lives to follow was crucified as if He was a criminal. It is not normal for God to sacrifice His only Son to such a terrible death, all because of love for mankind.
Yet the paradox of Good Friday is this: what was “not normal”, was good and necessary for God’s purposes to be fulfilled through Jesus Christ.
The great shame and defeat that Jesus suffered brought the greatest victory and glory for God—resulting in the salvation of all mankind because of the sacrifice of His beloved Son. God used what was so “abnormal” and “unusual” to fulfill His higher and greater purposes for the good of us all.
The story doesn’t end on Good Friday because Resurrection Sunday is coming!
God assured me that what the enemy meant for evil, God is ABLE to redeem for His higher and greater purposes. I wonder then if He could also be inviting us to trust Him, and instead look at our circumstances through our spiritual eyes?
Perhaps our lives being “not normal”, could actually be good for us. And the things that used to be “normal” to us may not be good for us and God may be using this Circuit Breaker to stop us going down the path of “further destruction.”
What is familiar may or may not always be good. Could it be that God is challenging us to realign our priorities and values back to His?
So, what is “normal”?
If all these are not normal to you—well done, for you are further along the journey than most of us.
Start embracing your new “normal”
If any of the above applies to you, as they did to me, I sense God lovingly inviting us to consider which part of normal is worth getting back to.
May this reflection fill you with HOPE & may God give us His grace to embrace this unusual season of darkness, that we may we come out of this transformed more into the likeness of His Son.
Such that it would lead us to greater self-awareness, self-compassion, restored relationships, love for those around us, healthy boundaries, creativity in work, life and ministry.
That we would move towards a values-based living, living by godly convictions, deeper dependence on the Holy Spirit, deeper knowing & trusting in who God is and a purer love and devotion to Jesus.
That would become our NEW NORMAL.
Pamela Koh is the Founder & Clinical Director of ThriveSg. She’s a registered counsellor & clinical supervisor with the Singapore Association of Counselling (SAC) & a certified therapist in Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR). Pamela specialises in working with trauma and grief-related issues that often underlies mental health issues like anxiety, depression, addiction and eating disorders.
By 2023, She has worked with tertiary students for over 18 years, 6 years among Japanese university students in Nagoya. She is passionate about helping people heal from their past traumas, and grow emotionally so that they can reach their fullest potential to thrive significantly in life.
©1972-2024 Cru Singapore. All Rights Reserved.
