Loving one another​

“10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” (Acts 9:10-15)​

I would never have imagined that the Lord would choose Saul, a persecutor of His church, as His instrument to carry His name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. Likewise, I can never fathom that the Lord would choose me, such a sinner who so frequently sins against Him, to be His ambassador. Sometimes, I feel helplessly trapped in my own sin. But I know, like how the Lord never wanted Saul to perish, He is still holding onto me. ​

Many times, we see not only our own failures again and again, but also our loved ones’ or friends’ or colleagues’ wrongdoings repeated over and over. It is easy to be discouraged or give up. But will you join me to fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith – and our loved ones, friends and colleagues’ faith as well?​

 “26 And when he (Saul) had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 9:26-28)​

We each have our own thorns which can be from our past or the present. I pray that God’s love will bind us closer even when it hurts at times, and we shall grow together as a united family, leaving no one behind. ​

By Sister Wang Dan Dan​