President's Gallery: Do you believe this?
Photo taken by President at Singapore River Coleman Bridge Underpass, Singapore, November 2021.
The news of the Russian army attacking Ukraine shook the world. Despite the difference in military power, Ukraine is putting up a good fight. We have seen many news and images that have brought us anger and heartache. Russia, being a nation with nuclear weapons, could spark the beginning of World War 3 in nuclear warfare, which is why European countries and the US must be delicate in their responses and reactions.
The sudden war gave the world which is still in the midst of the pandemic no time to respond. Right when it seems that the pandemic could be coming to an end and the economy is bettering, the war brought about unforeseeable changes to the economic outlook yet again.
Such is the reality of humanity— unreliable, hypocritical, greedy, vulnerable, helpless… Human beings are not in control of tomorrow.
The pandemic and war remind us how fragile and temporal our world is. Since the Second World War, most parts of the world have gotten to enjoy 70 years of peace; the economy, technology, medicine, and other areas have developed rapidly, and we are expecting things to carry on in the same trajectory. But this pandemic and war busted our dreams and brought us back to reality. Such is the reality of humanity— unreliable, hypocritical, greedy, vulnerable, helpless… Human beings are not in control of tomorrow.
When the disciples asked about the signs of end times, Jesus answered, “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumours of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end times have not come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.” (Matthew 24:3-7)
“The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die.” (John 11: 25-26)
Jesus tells us that no one knows when that day will be, we cannot predict the exact day but we can see its signs and know that day is nearing.
We will soon enter the Holy Week. Amid the pandemic and war, what is our reflection of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection? In Jesus’ crucifixion, we face death; in His resurrection, we face eternal life. This Holy Week, let us come before the God of Life with boldness, reflecting upon our life and priorities; responding sincerely to God’s call, and walking courageously on the path where the Lord is leading us to.
Jesus said to Martha, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:24-26)
Today Jesus is asking us the same question: Do you believe this?
Rev Dr Gregory Goh Nai Lat
President, Chinese Annual Conference
Translator: Rev Joshua Ong