#KitaJagaKita: The True Malaysian Spirit
Since Covid-19 led to our country’s first lockdown in March 2020, Malaysians have risen up to help each other in all areas of life. These include food provisions, monetary aid, free rides to vaccination centres, domestic abuse helplines and more.
These community efforts have been summed up under one hashtag: #KitaJagaKita. Many websites and organisations are using it on social media to spread civil society efforts, matching people who want to help with people who need help.
The Malaysian church has also risen up in prayer and action to help vulnerable communities like B40 families, refugees, migrants, women and children. It is heartening to see the body of Christ mobilised and looking outwards to the needy when the four walls of church buildings are closed.
Love + Compassion = Action
With Merdeka in sight, it’s both heartening and disheartening that we find ourselves where we are today. On one hand, it’s encouraging to see ordinary people reaching out to help a fellow human being. On the other, our institution has greatly missed the mark, causing much suffering to fellow Malaysians.
>>READ: 3 Things Christians Can Do When Malaysia is in Pain
>>DOWNLOAD: Outreach Booklets to Share with Friends and Family
If there’s anything we can learn from these hard times, it’s that Malaysians have redefined ourselves by the actions of our own people rather than through official establishments. Much like grassroots movements mobilised by ordinary people from the ground up, we have stepped up to the call of compassion when the greater institution has failed to play its role.
It’s a reminder to us Christians that as the church, we are the ekklesia, those called out from the world and into God’s eternal kingdom. This Merdeka, may we take hold of our kingdom inheritance by responding to Jesus’s call to show compassion for “the least of these brothers and sisters of mine” – doing it out of our transformed hearts in response to Him.
“What boundless love,
What fathomless grace
You have shown us, O God of compassion!
Each day we live
An offering of praise
As we show to the world Your compassion.”
– Stuart Townend
More resources to encourage us for the next step.
We bring to you this inspiring and thought-provoking picture book, “Bunny Finds the Right Stuff – Learning from Ecclesiastes 4”. It’s suitable for all ages, including friends who may not know Jesus yet.
May we too like Bunny’s friends who are ready to give and share with others in need. Together, we can all bounce back stronger. This is a print resource which is available only for Malaysian addresses.
About the Author
Wan Phing Lim is a contributor to Our Daily Bread Ministries Malaysia. Born and raised in Penang, she studied Politics before turning to a career in writing. She loves coffee, books and films.
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