Recently, a photo of a group of fellow True Wayians with a couple on their wedding day popped up in the Memories segment of my Facebook account. As I took a closer look at the photo, it dawned upon me how time has flown by so quickly. It has already been more than 12 years since the marriage took place!
Regardless of our life stage, 12 years is a rather significant length of time. Thus, it is no surprise that even within this small group of people, several changes have taken place after that joyous occasion.
The most obvious change is the physical changes. While the children in the photo have grown taller and some have entered adulthood by now, the adults have also aged. Some have gained a crowning glory of silver hair (Proverbs 16:31) whereas others have a thinning hairline. Along with ageing, there are those who are currently unwell and receiving on-going medical treatment while others continue to enjoy a relatively clean bill of health.
Sadly, amongst those who are in the photo, we also have 3 brothers-in-Christ who have since been called home to the Lord. When I first saw the photo, I could not help but feel a certain tinge of sadness and loss. Even though some of them have passed on a few years ago, somehow a part of me still felt like it was a recent event.
I suppose their absence was keenly felt because these individuals were faithful and loving Christians whom I have had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside with ever since I came onboard as a pastoral staff in True Way. I must admit that seeing the photo bought back to mind some good memories of light-hearted banter, thought-provoking theological musings and encouraging conversations that I had with them.
Above all, I miss their presence. Each of these brothers who entered into eternal rest have made their unique contribution to our True Way community as well as the wider church body and society. Even though we can thank God for raising up other believers to continue his kingdom work, it is just not the same when True Wayians will no longer get to see one’s warm smile at the entrance of the sanctuary or benefit from another’s handyman skills and readiness to lend a hand whenever the need arises.
As I took time to give thanks to God for their lives, I also prayed briefly for the family and friends they have left behind. Although life and ministry must go on, every death of a loved one inevitably leaves a gap. Even when we may not always think about the deceased or speak of their absence, we are mindful that there are some in our midst who are learning to cope with their loss of a spouse, parent, sibling or friend.
Since Christians are called to mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15), we are to exercise pastoral wisdom and compassion as we come alongside these individuals who have reasons to mourn. On one hand, we want to avoid treating them as broken people in need of a quick fix. Yet, we also do not want them to be so weighed down by their loss that they lose sight of what God has promised beyond the grave given the shared hope we have in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 21:1-4). Hopefully, our church can be such a Gospel-centred community where believers can share each other’s sorrow and grief in the light of Christ’s return and the Holy Spirit’s work in us.
Another change that I noticed is that a handful in that photo are no longer worshipping with us at True Way. For those who have chosen to transfer their membership to another church while still maintaining ties with us, I am thankful that the parting is on good terms. What is of greater concern to me is when despite the efforts of friends and church leaders to follow up with these individuals on their spiritual well-being and commitment, they appear to remain unmoved and indifferent towards the things of God.
Given that I am unsure of their current spiritual state, I felt led to pray for these individuals as well. In their case, I prayed that God would protect them from the snare of the evil one (2 Timothy 2:22-26) and that the Holy Spirit would bring back to mind the seeds that were sown in their hearts such that there will be an awakening within them to yearn for God himself.
In addition, I prayed that even if they were disappointed or hurt by people in True Way that God will grant them healing and that they will learn not to hold things against others. I prayed that they will be willing to journey alongside other believers and return to God in sincere worship instead of turning away from God or take him for granted.
As much as some things have changed, I thank God that many in the photo have continued to walk faithfully with our Lord. Their joy in him remains evident and they have been a blessing in our faith community. Some have in fact become even more intentional in discipling another believer while others have matured in their faith and stepped forward to take on greater responsibilities in church.
To be honest, I was not expecting God to speak to me when I logged onto Facebook that day. But I have come to realise that our God who can use a donkey to rebuke a prophet can easily remind me of several things pertaining to the “church of God whom Jesus has obtained with his blood” (Acts 20:28). Thus, despite whatever changes may take place in the life of our church, may we not grow weary in doing good, for in due season, our faithful God will bring about a harvest to the glory of his name (Galatians 6:9). Indeed, thanks be to God, even if we are faithless, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself (2 Timothy 2:13).
