Week 23 (2 - 8 June): From Babel to The Upper Room (Spirit United)

One fine Saturday evening, when Ps Darren preached a message on the topic of unity, a quote stuck with me and I spent the night meditating on it, love through awkwardness. What an interesting yet profound way to say it. What a simple way to teach us how to choose grace over law. 

In all aspects of our lives, especially at church, this simple lesson should be the foundation of how we live our lives. It is the way that I believe God wants us to practice. But, how? How to love through it all? Do we have to force ourselves and act against our human nature? Because sometimes, we get angry, sad, irritated, and not to mention, judgy. 

But, looking back at some bible stories, there are times when Jesus feels angry too, sad, and sometimes saying no to things we pray so dearly. However, Jesus never gives up on each one of us, and that’s exactly how we should love through it all. We never give up. Even when we don’t have any words to say or solutions to give, we just have to sit through it all. Keep showing up and walk in this journey called life together, in unity. 

If we remember one of our earlier reflection post on how important it is to build bridges in His Kingdom, this newest sermon highlighted how exactly we can do it, which is through unity. We are called to unity. Ever heard a saying that no man is an island? We are created to rely on each other and of course on God to feel content. A level of independence is of course necessary but we can’t ever fully live our life alone. We need a bus driver to bring us to work every day, a security guard to protect our house, a pilot to bring us across the globe, a church community to grow, and a loving God to guide us. 

The last thing that resonated with me from this week's sermon was a teaching from the story of Babel. How unity with wrong intentions can actually create a disaster. What is our heart's hidden agenda? Sometimes we’re not even aware of it yet. Maybe it’s fear, self doubt, pride, self glorification, or resentment. I’m not saying to be perfect and never have insecurity or flaw ever, because no one can, right? But, when it is driven by something that is not right, it will eventually ruin us. Just like how The Babel never succeeded. 

To end this little journal, let us pray for a new perspective from God. An awareness to see that love should always be the drive behind our ministry. At church, work, in our family, relationships, and in all aspects of our lives.

Grace over law,

Yosefa Chika on behalf of

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