It has been a year since Malaysian Airlines MH370 had gone missing. The reason behind the disappearance of this commercial plane has yet to be unravelled. These is a fact that the family members and loved ones of the passengers find hard to accept. Having anticipated the return of their closed kin, they never expected to be part of this fruitless search for their relatives. All they have left now is the ache of missing their loved ones and their forlorn attempts in the search. As we have read in the news, some of the passengers’ relatives have accepted the demise of their loved ones Some, however, still harbour the hope that their family members may survive and so continue to seek updates from the search. Some are facing financial difficulties and some are still travelling all over to seek other professional support to put pressure on the related authorities. Our empathy is with the relatives of MH370 passengers. We pray that they will get the chance to know God, be comforted for their loss and regain the peace within.

When such unforeseeable circumstances, natural calamities or ailments, strike, be it on small or large scale, we will naturally want to know the cause. Why did the plane go missing? That person has always been strong, why did he suddenly collapse and die? Why did this person have cancer? Was it due to unhealthy diet, binge drinking or smoking? Sometimes we seek an answer to these questions so as to learn from it and not repeat the same mistake. Most of the times, we merely speculate the probable reasons behind as the truth is beyond our imagination. Nevertheless, we need to reflect on the incidents so as to realise our limitations and vulnerability. “Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future” (Ecclesiastes 7:13-14). The Chinese have a saying, “The sky has unpredictable weather, human have sudden fortunes and mishaps.” In addition, the author of Ecclesiastes (Solomon) reiterated that God has placed fortunes and mishaps in our lives for reasons that we cannot understand. If we understand what He said, we will not take for granted simple blessings like being able to eat, drink or be with loved ones. We should be grateful when everything goes on normally. In times when uncertainties strike, we should be comforted that all is in accordance with God’s will. “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil – this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear Him” (Ecclesiastes 3:11-14).

Fellowship is important in braving the uncertainties of life. “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). When we are in trouble, people who lend us a helping hand and lead us to lean on God to tide through the danger are actually the brothers and sisters whom God prepared for us. When life takes a dive, through the helping hands of church’s brothers and sisters, God extends His helping hand. Thus, it is important for us to bond with our brothers and sisters at times of normalcy and look out for one another. From another point of view, as God’s child, we should have the loving heart to care for others and help them. This goes beyond oneself and your family members. When church’s brethrens and also non-believers are in need, will we sacrifice some time, energy or even money to help them concretely? Let’s pray that we will have the loving spirit to help those in need to face life’s uncertainties and thus experience God’s grace.