LOCKDOWN!

On Thursday morning (19/03), as the city prepared for the partial lockdown, people everywhere were in a frenzied rush to stock up supplies (like for a wartime!). I took the opportunity to visit my favourite hiking ground. I knew it was a matter of time before authorities would shut it down as well, but for today it was still open.

The forest was unusually sparse (of hikers). Because of the ensuing shut down, I knew the forest-rangers would not be around, so I took the chance to go deep in, wherein  lies the most beautiful pool of water ever, the 'blue lagoon'.

Looks green but it's vividly blue! 

the crown of thorns ?

It would be a 3-hr long hike alone, but the solitude of the forest was compelling. As I journeyed in, it dawned on me that the forest is in no hurry. It has no time clock. From the huge trees to the ground creepers, they have no time line to their existence, no mad race to finish.  Everything grows at its own unhurried pace. The ground I'm treading on will still be there tomorrow,  the fallen trees/ leaves will decompose over time and feed a multitude of organisms.. in its own time. As I trekked further, I can almost feel my body soak it in .... the quiet nature of the forest.

In the busyness of doing "life"  and all that it entails (er, read stress?? ) , we have forgotten what 'living' is all about. We have no time to "feel". We rush from one project (or 3!) to another, our minds constantly racing, but invariably our bodies pay the price ,  and our personal relationships suffer.

These trees

The forest is in no hurry, and no time clock 

When God first met Adam, it was also in the garden (forest). Alas, it was also here where the first sin transpired..."Where are you Adam?" (as if God didn't know). When confronted, Adam choose to blame Eve, which in truth Adam was blaming God (indirectly) for giving Eve to him. And so from that time on, the blame game begun.

"By the sweat of your brow, you shall eat your bread, until you return to the dust.." Gen 3:19.

That was the curse of the original sin.

For his disobedience, Adam was cast out of Eden, out from the presence of God  (Gen 3:24-25)

Since then Man has chosen to be self dependent  away from his Maker. (spiritually and physically as well). We falsely believe that money (and all it does for us) can take the place of God in our lives.
When Jesus appeared on the scene 2020 years ago , he did some amazing stuff. But the most amazing thing he did was to create a bridge back to God thru his own death / resurrection.

Our original sin of rebellion can be wipe away, our curse cancelled, and we can have a clean slate before God.

  

Jesus is the Bridge

How (when?) the Covid-19 crisis will end, no one really knows, but I think the world will never be the same.. ever again.

But God is not surprised (by all this); what is meant for evil, God will turn it around for good. (Genesis 50:20.)

and so my favorite hiking hill is closed until further notice

*when I exited the place, the police were already in the midst of sealing it off from public with the yellow 'do not cross' tape.

"Tomorrow cannot come OK?" , he barked a friendly warning to me.

I nodded and waved back.

Tomorrow? really?

who knows, about 'tomorrow'!

But I know the One who holds tomorrow , and I will put my trust in Him.

For I know the thoughts that i think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and go and pray to ME, and I will listen to you. And you will seek ME and find ME with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:11-13 

Signing off for now.. ta