Family ties will never be severed

【Whisper of the Shepherd】9

Recently, one of the most important co-workers in the church had to move to California due to work. When the news came out, everyone was sad, even the children were sad. For two months, we prayed, sought, and exchanged opinions together; until the end, everyone agreed, accepted, and blessed; then came the handover of work, managing the family, and selling the house; sharing on the podium, reluctance in the group, and farewell from the whole church... …. I saw the mature expression and handling of this couple, the struggles and adjustments of the brothers and sisters showing their true feelings, and what about me? In helplessness, I desperately told myself to let go, to believe, and to bless.

The DNA of Fatherhood

However, the most special thing is that this time they left, my feelings are very different from before: I truly know that they are not just "meeting friends", but "family"; since they are family members, they will not be out of sight or out of mind. sight, out of mind). In the past, many people came and went in the church, and I didn't have such a strong feeling, but this time it was so different. Why? I was thinking: Could it be that as a pastor, I have grown up and am no longer concerned about myself, but am I really caring about being a father?

What the couple shared was also inspiring: they affirmed again and again that they had passed on the values of “family” they had received in this church, as well as the DNA of a father’s heart. We can all see it, and we also know that there are many people in this church. The faith of Christ is no longer just doctrine, knowledge, theology, what to do and what not to do, but an organic life that gradually sprouts from a seed. Grown up, not assembled from parts.

This reminds me of the church adults and children who visited and performed in a nearby nursing home a few days ago. I felt that they were not serving, but a natural expression of life, which was loving, organic, and of the Kingdom of God. I used to think that matters of faith were very complicated, but now I see that it is not difficult. It is the seeds of Christ’s life that are growing into trees - the simpler, the sweeter they are; the steps are getting more and more consistent, and the more they are of one mind and the same way with God; the bride in preparation has gradually grown into a tree. Become a prepared bride. So there is laughter in the tears, comfort in the face of challenges, and optimism in the endless pain.

At the prayer meeting that day, this brother said: "After fifteen years of nourishment and edification, the 'Evangelism Center' is the home where we grew up. It is a place where life has gone through high mountains and low valleys, where sorrow and joy are intertwined. Family relationships will not Severed, every day when I look up at the sky, we are still connected on the east and west coasts because of the sky."

perfecting love for each other

During this period, brothers and sisters had many sharings about their inner struggles, all of which were expressions of sincerity:

"True love is to perfect each other. True love is to bless each other and release each other - let go so that he or she can enter the position given by God. This is the honorable culture of the kingdom of heaven. The entire Danny Xi This is what Danny Silk’s book is about (Culture of Honor: Sustaining a Supernatural Environment, Chinese translation published by Vision Works) from God’s Look at God, ourselves, and each other from a different perspective, and then we will know who we are, why we are here, and who we can trust. If the "Evangelization Center" is truly a family, we can walk together and let go of each other; Not only do parents free children, but children also free parents into their calling and destiny.”

"I have to put aside my selfishness and thoughts. I trust God, and I trust them. This has been established over the years, so I respect their decision. I have known each other for so long, from co-workers to family members, which is rare in the world. It’s something I cherish. I tell myself that no matter what he decides, I choose to trust him.”

"Every time I see you or think of you, my heart overflows with joy and I am grateful for God's masterpiece. I see everyone's lives changing, being expanded along the way, and aligning with the Father. I see the maturity and youthfulness of the intercessors I am amazed at the growth of people, and I am grateful. May we all be trusted by the Lord, and have a share in front of the throne one day, and go to receive the award happily, which will be billions of times happier than that day when many people in the church gathered together at the "Red Onion" restaurant. , how interesting that would be!”

"Although we all want to be together emotionally, when we look up to the Lord, we find that your family has come out with the DNA of the 'Evangelism Center' and the concept of 'family'. I am happy for you, and I wish this kind of seed can grow in your life." Wherever it goes, it takes root and grows strong.”

"It was great to get together and talk again at Charles's house last night. Thank you for sharing openly with everyone along the way. It is your maturity that has been demonstrated once again after living in this big family for many years. . Your sincere and sincere expressions, your intensive communication with each other, your careful seeking and consideration of all aspects before God are all top-notch, and I am very moved by them and everyone in the church. Be proud of it.”

"Ming Jing saw it right, the dandelion flowers metamorphosed into round white seeds; Tina said it right, this family came out with the DNA of the 'Evangelization Center' - the concept of family. Ming Wei said, it is God who rises up They are called as fathers and mothers. God has done great and beautiful things in the "Evangelization Center". The most precious thing is this DNA! Really, if we look to the horizon, there can be churches with such DNA. There is not much, let us preserve it, cultivate it, and multiply it. Spread it out and pass it on - is it for the purpose of establishing a "preaching center" branch church? It is too small and too self-centered! , to make the heart of Heavenly Father happy! This is God’s commission to us.”

"We will be reluctant to leave, sad, and cry after separation. This is good, isn't it? If we don't love each other and move away, we won't have too many feelings. If the bad guy leaves, the neighbors may set off firecrackers. ! So you know our hearts, we love you very much. I have identified you as "family", not just "co-workers". This feeling has never been experienced in the thirty-three years of pastoring. It is "preaching". The "Fu Center" has only been established in the past two years. Since I am a family member, I am determined not to be out of sight, out of mind. Is this what I expect of myself during the struggle? Give it a try, it must be possible, because we have been refined and are the finished product of God’s painstaking creation. I feel deeply blessed to be a part of the "Evangelization Center" family and to be the pioneer of many experiments to please the Heavenly Father. Joy, to let God be glorified, to make God’s creation sigh no more….”

"Just wanted to let you know that what you said at home on Friday and online this morning about family relationships brings us great peace. I believe that everything you say and do will serve us and "evangelize" Family inheritance."

"God has led, and we have trust in you. As for the emotional reluctance, that's good. May God give you peace. We are going through the whole thing together. There is a group of family members here who are reluctant to let go because they truly love you, but You go out with our full blessings! We love you.”

organic heavenly life

The most precious thing on this earth is love and relationship. What the human heart longs for is everlasting love (see Proverbs 19:22, English translation). What couples, parents and children long for is also love. What God desires most is also our love - the Father is waiting for the prodigal to return (see Luke 15:11-31). He saves us in the hope that we will return to Eden and become people who love Him (see Matthew 26: 13). How happy we are to have a loving family! What a blessing it is to be able to contribute to a loving church.

God uses what we experience on earth to understand the divine things in heaven. Paul said:"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This is a great mystery, but I am speaking of Christ and of the church. But each of you must love his wife as himself "The wife also must respect her husband." (Ephesians 5:31-33)

We often use this passage in weddings and when discussing the relationship between husband and wife, but verse 32 is often omitted. If you read it carefully, you will find that the focus of the passage is not about husband and wife, but rather about Christ and the church - man is not the center, God is; it is not that we are advised to believe in Jesus so that husband and wife can love each other more, but that God is the center of the relationship. Revealing His heart—that we as husband and wife love each other so that in our love, we reflect the beautiful relationship between Christ and the church, and glorify Him in this way, is God’s deeper purpose. The same is true for all relationships. God causes everything to work together for us to realize Him and express Him. I deeply feel that when it comes to the need for a good co-worker to move this time, the whole church not only passed the exam, but actually did quite well! I firmly believe that Heavenly Father is very happy when He looks at us. Yes, no matter what circumstances we encounter, may Christ continue to be more formed in our lives - natural, vital, organic, grown from a seed; loving, heavenly, It belongs to the Kingdom of God. This is the faith of Christ, the achievement of the cross, what God is looking for in His children, what the world is waiting for, and what makes Satan angry and stamps his feet! We can cheer because we have won! May the Lord bless you and your family—both the big family and the small family. Encourage each other...

Author profile Pastor Xu Zongshi holds a PhD in microbiology and a Master of Divinity from Trinity Theological Seminary in Chicago. He is currently the senior pastor of the Evangelization Center in New Jersey, USA. Author of the book "Flying Out of the Bird Cage".