Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Marie-Anne Thiang, 33, found solace in a worship song called “You Never Left,” which was born out of her raw lament over the various crises and deep grief she has endured over the past decade and a half. As an only child, Marie-Anne’s childhood was marked by constant relocations due to her father’s job obligations, making it difficult for her to socialize, given her introverted nature.
At 16, she was confronted with the possibility of losing her mother, who was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer. After her mother’s passing, Marie-Anne grew closer to her church community, spending a lot of time attending services and prayer meetings, coping with grief by seeking God’s direction on what to do next.
However, after questioning some of the teachings of the church and seeking answers in the Word of God, she decided to resign, despite the deep bonds she had built with the community. While still skeptical about church, she found a new church community willing to address her questions and doubts.
The COVID-19 pandemic struck just as she was starting to find her place in her new church community, and her faith was once again tested when her father and stepmother succumbed to serious COVID-19 symptoms. Depression cast a dark shadow over her life as she struggled to find happiness and manage simple tasks.
Despite her struggles, Marie-Anne found hope through her church community, who rallied around her in both small and significant ways, offering her a job as a media content writer and encouraging her to express her feelings and heal. Through it all, she realized the importance of remaining steadfast in her faith and not walking away from God’s presence.
Two years on, she acknowledges that she is still on her journey of healing, with a healthier approach to prayer and Bible reading. Reflecting on the losses of her life, Marie-Anne realized the reason why God chooses broken people to serve Him, finding a balanced perspective of church leadership and recognizing human imperfections while valuing submission.