I couldn’t see Him because I was looking right in front of me, and looking for what I wanted Him to do for me. “…faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Such a familiar text, yet such a challenge in accepting it when it becomes personal. Frustration, worry and helplessness were all part of the meandering journey I chose to take. The trick for me, however, was what (or who) I had to place my faith in. If I placed my faith in how God would lead me or what He does for me, then I would be at risk of setting my own expectations and hope on things God had never promised. If I had faith in God Himself, however, then that would mean I believe that God can and WILL work things together for the good of those who love Him, no matter how or when He chooses to. I shifted my focus away from what was happening and how I would have liked God to respond, and instead focused on the God who makes things happen and who responds. That gave me the ability to take each setback and each victory to a higher plane – God’s assurance that our current repaired relationship with Him and promise of future glory far outweighs the worry and strife of this life (Rom 8:17-18).
Samuel (center) relaxing with his family
WHEN YOU CAN’T HAVE YOUR CAKE
By Cheryl Ong
As a home baker, customised cakes are a big part of the business. When COVID-19 and the circuit breaker hit, my cake orders were cancelled one after another. For most people, not being able to visit family meant there would be no birthday celebrations.
That was the breaking point for me. I remember having a huge ugly cry as I faced the possibility of zero income for the next few months. “What do people have against cake?!” I complained to anyone that would read my Whatsapp messages, because of social distancing.
Initially, I took it as a chance to just roll with it. My business model shifted to creating Cheer Boxes indulgent treats that people could send to friends and colleagues who were working from home. Friends from the aviation industry (another hard-hit area) helped with deliveries. It was a period of juggling and tap-dancing for us home bakers as regulations changed every few days! The final blow was when home-based food businesses were asked to cease. Cakes were considered “non-essential”, along with desserts and bubble tea.
Then an opportunity came for me to deliver parcels, which I have never imagined doing. I went into it with the impression that at least it was an honest way to earn money (instead of robbing a bank or running Internet scams). But our God knows me better than I know myself – delivering parcels was a surprisingly good fit. It catered to my organisational skills and sense of direction. As a bonus, I also had really toned arms! Most people I met were nice - I’ll always remember the lovely lady who came to the door holding a prawn she was preparing for dinner and didn’t realise it! Others did not even want to open the door, retrieving their parcels only after I had left and spraying them with copious amounts of disinfectant. It was really a representation of what we were going through: people were scared, and a little stir-crazy. When cake orders (finally!) picked up again, I walked away from the experience humbled and with a newfound appreciation for our delivery personnel.
So was God really invisible to me? On one hand, it does seem that way given that I did not receive any “clear signs” from God throughout the twists and turns of last year. But perhaps I was looking at the wrong frame. God was visible all along. He was there in the Bible when I read it, He was there in my prayers, He was there in the testimonies and lives of other believers I met. I couldn’t see Him because I was looking right in front of me, and looking for what I wanted Him to do for me. Shifting my gaze heaven-ward didn’t automatically solve all my problems, but it did put my present struggles in a new light, a light that made a seemingly invisible God very, very visible.
My biggest lesson from 2020 is how much God takes care of things. I’m a compulsive planner and I like knowing what I’m doing way in advance. Psalm 65:11 shows us how God gives abundance, even when we are out of our comfort zone or when the road ahead is full of potholes. God taught me to slow down and take things as they come. My favourite verse in Jeremiah 29:11 says that He knows the plans He has for us. Even when the world is crazy and we have no idea what is coming, we can find hope in the fact that He does.
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