ICS Daily Devotions
Faith-filled friends
God never intended for any of us to face life’s challenges alone. He has placed us amongst a community of believers in a church to love and to be loved.
Have you ever felt lonely and disconnected from the community in Shanghai? We should not isolate ourselves or just occupy ourselves with work. Some of us might feel there is no need for a community of believers until we are faced with a trial or tribulation in a foreign land. There is a community of believers that God has placed around us to show forth His love for us. It is important that we reach out to them.
It can be inconvenient to love someone other than your family members because it means that you will definitely need to go the extra mile and get out of your comfort zone. It will include speaking into the life of that person. It is better to have the wound of a friend than the kisses of an enemy. It will also take up your time and energy.
Most of us in ICS are living in a foreign land far away from our relatives. Therefore, it is all the more important for us to have a very good support system from the family of believers especially cell group members whom we trust, love and have formed good soul ties with. It will definitely be an added strength and a source of encouragement when we are faced with a difficult situation. Hence it is important to be part of an ICS’ cell group especially now when we are facing the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.
Luke 5:18-20 (NKJV) Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him. And when they could not find how they might bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the housetop and let him down with his bed through the tiling into the midst before Jesus. When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”
Not everyone will have the heart or know how to befriend someone who is paralyzed, sick or in need. Somehow, we have lost the art of communication or just do not know how to relate to people because we are too engrossed with our phones and gadgets. What we can do is to slow down and show love and care towards those around us. We can start with our family members, followed by our colleagues and the church members. Of course, we have to invest some time in caring and loving those around us when we notice that they have a need. While we are well-known for loving the community in ICS, we should also work towards loving our fellow brothers and sisters. This is especially true when all of us are away from our extended families. ICS is your home away from home and nobody should feel lonely especially when they are faced with a challenge or standing at a fork in the road of their lives.
Sermon Series: Friends to Look for in a Crisis
