As everybody knows, the vision we have around us is limited when we drive. Although we can become aware of the vehicles around us via the rear-view mirror, there are still blind spots that we cannot see via the mirror. Therefore, when we try to change lane, we need to be extra cautious. We need to form a habit by turning our heads to check if there are cars at our blind spots to avoid accidents.
In the process of our spiritual growth there are also blind spots, which can be our own weakness, or the areas which need to be improved or changed that we might have neglected. One of the good ways to avoid these blind spots is to live amongst a group of brothers and sisters in Christ where truthful and close relationships can be established. They can remind each other, support each other, to discover and conquer the blind spots of self and one another so that they can grow together. In other words, it is such a precious blessing that there are dear and honest brothers and sisters in Christ who can walk with us together on this heavenly path.
To establish such Christ centered groups, we need to be working together. In a week’s time our combined church camp will be here. Over 3 years of the pandemic it is really not easy for us to gather again in listening to God’s words, examining Bible’s teaching and also enjoying fellowship in full. After experiencing the isolation caused by pandemic, we should enjoy our fellowship with each other even more. As when we have lost the connection with brothers and sisters, it is an even more challenging matter to hold on to our faith. We need to encourage and exhort each other, witness, and establish each other so that we can persist on the path of following God to the end.
The combined church camp has provided an opportunity for brothers and sisters with various language and cultural backgrounds to get together in worshiping God and building fellowship. Even though the obstacles of language and culture exist, with the saving power of our Christ, who brought together Jews and Gentiles to worship Him, can bring us together. Our God’s will is to see all people overcome obstacles through Jesus Christ, to love each other and to unite together to worship Him. Let us look forward to experience God’s faithfulness and power at the combined church camp!
大家都知道，在我們駕車行駛的時候視野是有限的，雖可通過後視鏡查看周圍車輛，但仍有盲點區域，是我們不能通過後視鏡看到的範圍，因此在變道的時候要特別留意，養成習慣轉頭查看盲點區域是否有車輛，以避免事故。
我們的屬靈生命在成長的過程中，也會有盲點，就是我們自己不能發現的自身缺陷或者被我們忽略的需要提升和改變的地方。避免屬靈成長過程中的盲點，其中一個好的方法，就是生活在屬靈的群體裡，和弟兄姐妹建立真誠而緊密的關係，可以互相提醒，互相支持，發現自身的或別人的盲點，一起來克服，以獲得成長。換句話說，有貼心而坦誠的主內的弟兄姐妹，一起同走天路，是何等寶貴的祝福。
建立這樣的屬靈群體，需要大家一起付出努力。再過一周，就是我們教會今年的聯合退修會。經過三年的疫情，我們可以再次聚在一起，聆聽神的話語，探討聖經的教導，也享受全天候的團契生活，真是何等不易。經過疫情的隔離，我們更當珍惜相聚一起的機會。因為若是失去弟兄姐妹之間的連接，持守信心似乎成為更加挑戰的一件事情。我們需要彼此勸勉，也彼此作見證，互相鼓勵，才可以在跟隨神的這條道路上堅持到底。
聯合退修會也提供了我們教會不同語言和文化背景的弟兄姐妹們一起敬拜神和建立團契生活的機會。文化和語言的障礙是自然存在的，然而，耶穌基督的救贖大能，曾使猶太人和外邦人一起同心敬拜神。神願意不同的人，靠著耶穌基督，跨越障礙，彼此相愛，同心合意敬拜他。讓我們一起期待，在退修會中經歷神的信實和大能吧。
