Recently, the news of wildfires in Los Angeles has drawn worldwide attention. Whether it is multi-million dollar mansions or ordinary people's homes, both types of dwelling disappeared in the blink of an eye, their beautiful homes destroyed. Thousands of people had to leave their homes to take refuge in temporary residence, and some people have lost their lives in the fire. Many people looked at the situation and found it incredibly hard to believe. The hard-earned homes were destroyed in an instant, and the once prosperous city was now in ruins.
No matter how painful and lost they feel, people still have to rebuild their homes from the ashes. Although there are insurance companies that can help bear the economic losses, many lost possessions that can never be recovered. Houses can be rebuilt, and people's hearts need to be cared for more than ever. As a pastor of a community church said, in the face of such a huge loss, before rebuilding the buildings and houses of the whole community, including the church building, the first action is to strengthen the connection and cooperation between the community members, care for each other, and give each other spiritual support and help. Sincere communication and mutual encouragement have the power to help people face natural and man-made disasters, and it is also the work that Christ should do in people's hearts.
In these end times, the occurrence of various disasters easily leads one to think that Christ is coming soon and the Day of Judgment is near. However, merely having this feeling is not enough; we need to know what to do. Usually, when people encounter disasters, they find that the property, reputation, status and personal ability that they originally valued cannot be guaranteed, although people always try their best to pursue these things. The crisis reminds us that family and friends are more important than property, and sincere mutual help can also support us through the crisis.
In church life, we also need to understand that establishing a relationship with each other is more important than the success or failure of the ministries.
In this challenging era, whether it is the temptation of the world or the spiritual battle, we need the brothers and sisters in the church to support each other and fight together. A strong church means that friends have a real relationship with God, and at the same time, they also know how to care for each other and communicate sincerely. Unity of heart and mind can bring double the strength. Let us pray for God's help to rely on the Holy Spirit and, through intercession and humble, honest communication, build such relationships within the church.
近日,洛杉磯山火肆虐的新聞引人關注。無論是上億豪宅,或是一般民眾的家宅,轉眼之間消失殆盡。美好家園被毀,成千上萬的人不得不離開家,暫避臨時居所,更有人在火災中失去生命。許多人看著眼前的景象覺得不可置信,苦心經營的家瞬間毀於一旦,曾經繁華熱鬧的都市如今陷於廢墟一片。
灰燼之後,再怎樣痛苦失落,人們仍然要重建家園。雖然有保險公司可以幫忙承擔經濟損失,然而許多失去的東西,可能再也找不回來了,房屋可以重建,人心更需要關懷。誠如一位社區教會的牧師所言,面對如此巨大的損失,在重建整個社區的建築、房屋,包括重建教會建築之前,首先要做的,是加強會友之間彼此的連結與合作,互相關懷,在心靈上給予彼此支持和幫助。真誠的交流,彼此的鼓勵,是幫助人面對天災人禍時的力量,也是基督要在人心中進行的工作。
在這末世時代,各樣災禍的發生總是很容易令人聯想到基督快來了,末日審判快將臨到。僅有這樣的感觸還不夠,我們需要知道該怎麼做。通常遭遇災禍的時候人們才會發現,本來所看重的財產、名譽、地位、個人能力,都不能成為真正的保障,雖然,人們總是竭力追求這些東西。危機時刻提醒我們,家人和朋友比財產地位更重要,真誠的彼此幫助也能支撐我們度過危機。
教會生活中我們也需要明白,建立彼此之間的關係比事工成敗更重要。在這充滿挑戰的時代裡,不論是世界上的誘惑,還是屬靈的爭戰,都需要教會裡的弟兄姊妹們,大家彼此支持,齊心對抗。強健的教會,意味著會友們和神有著真實的關係,同時,彼此之間也懂得如何彼此相顧、真誠相交。同心合一可以帶來加倍的力量,求神幫助我們依靠聖靈,透過代禱和謙卑坦誠的溝通,在教會中建立這樣的關係。