In every generation, we can saw a drastic change of our culture, economy, and way of life. prior to covid-19, we can do beso-beso, hugs, and shake hands culture sa mga family affairs, tropahan at kapatiran. But after the pandemic, napalitan ito ng kawayan and fist-bamps. Lifestyle nadin ang mag face mask. Ang presyo ng mga bilihin have increased to the roof. Ang mahal ng gas at lalo ng sibuyas.
Ang dynamics nang ating pamumuhay ay naiba din. Marami na ang naging taong-bahay or house person (a person who are much comfortable staying in his/her house). I admit, I am a house-person type (kahit wala pang covid pandemic).
Change is constant. We cannot change the fact that change is always happening. So as a Christian, I asked myself “how do we face a sudden change in our culture whether for better or worse?”, or new normal or hindi?
Obviously, there are things that we cannot easily change. Things such as the culture around us. For me, society is moving backward as society progresses in terms of technology and efficiency. But in terms of ideology, beliefs, values, and identity, the world we live in is like a sinking titanic without aid. It gets worse!
People become more hostile and disillusioned. Everyone wants to survive at the expense of others. Many people think they can change their gender which is a clear indication of insanity and a reprobate mind, a mind that is not functioning well and cannot function.
Ang dami din na youth ang depress and anxious, at maraming causes ito such as identity crisis, dysfunctional family, and illegal drugs. These are terrible and trying times.
As a result, many Christians are confused about where to go or what to do. The good news is that we have the word of God to guide us to face this crazy changing world. It’s in the Word of God and in Christ Jesus. It may sound like a cliché to you but that’s the truth.
The scripture is enough to strengthen our faith in holy living by God’s grace and Spirit.
We just need to cling to concrete realities taught by the word of God.
Cling to Prayer
In times of desperation, people tend to cling to temporal things and man-made solutions. At kadalasan, kabiguan at pighati ang bunga ng ating pagmamadali sa paglutas ng maraming bagay.
Take a moment to think about this, the right prayer to God helps us to think better and respond well in all difficult situations in life. I said “right prayer” because there are wrong prayers like prayers for the dead (once died, judgment na agad sabi sa Hebrews yan), praying to the saints (we can go directly to God in Christ), prayers to harm others (kasalan ang hatulan ang kapwa).
Psalm 145:18 says, “Yahweh is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth.” Kaibigan, kapatid, this is the first thing that we must do before anything else as we face our challenging situation, PRAY to YAHWEH.
He is the only one who can help us and give us strength lalo sa panahon ng kabagabagan ng ating puso at isip. Do not forget that when we approach God in prayer, dapat kilalanin natin Siya in truth. It means, believing in the one and true God and in His Son Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and man.
Sabi ni Apostol Pablo “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17), at “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints” (Eph. 6:18).
Hindi lang ang sarili at pamilya ang ating dapat na pinapag dasal sa Dios kundi at ating mga kapatid sa kay Kristo at kapwa.
Prayer is a gesture of humility and reliance upon God’s sovereignty and power overall. Keep praying to God.
Cling to the Word of God (Holy Bible)
Sa madilim na lakbayin ng ating buhay, the word of God serves us as a “lamp and light.” Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” God’s word will teach us how to approach life, and different trials honorable to God and in a practical way.
2 Tim. 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
God’s word will never fail. The reason why some people look at the scriptures as not reliable is because they doubt it and disobey it. God is faithful; therefore, His word will not fail. Sabi nga sa Psalm 33:4 “For the word of the Lord is right and true.”
Trust the word of God and all in it. Ito lang ang tangi nating source of hope. Without it, there’s no hope available for us lalo sa panahon ng pagsubok at pagdurusa.
Palaging magkasama ang prayer and word. Let’s not abadon these powerful couple in our Christian life.
Cling to a Faithful Community of Believers
As we face the changing crazy world, let’s not forget to meet with other fellow faithful believers in the Lord. This is very important in our growth and stability. We are weak, we are not always in the Spirit and mood to pray and go in the word. We oftentimes fail God and break our commitment to spiritual disciplines.
Though this is not an excuse for us not to pray and study the word of God, we must remember that fellowshipping with like-minded people for the Lord will strengthen our faith and refresh our passion for the word.
1 Thess. 5:11“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” It is a commandment from God to have fellowship with the faithful ones.
Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
This habit is good for our souls.
Cling to our Lord Jesus Christ
When the world tries to pin you down and when the situation is not going your way, do not fret, Christ is our Lord and Savior who always keeps us alive and at peace in a lifetime of war.
Cling to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ kapatid. Dahil ang promise Niya at tapat. Matthew 11:28-30 says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
In Him meron tayong ganap na kapayapaan at katiyakan na di tayo lalagpasan ng Diyos sa ginta ng pagsubok sa buhay.
Sa Kanya din natin matatagpuan ang buhay ng walang hanggan kung ika’y di pa tagasunod ni Kristo. Sabi sa 1 John 5:12 “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” At sinabi din ni Jesus, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).
Wrapping Up
We need to face this fallen work head-on with fortitude, endurance, and strength that comes from the Lord Jesus Christ. To do it, let’s cling together to prayer, to the unfailing, sure word of God, to the fellow committed followers of Jesus, and to Jesus Christ Himself our Lord and Savior.