그런데 예수님은 자신을 찾으러 왔던 육신의 가족을 가리켜서 가족이라고 하지 않았습니다. 교회를 가리켜 가족이라는 표현을 하셨습니다. 예수님을 믿고 순종하는 성도들이 모인 교회를 가리켜 형제와 자매라고 하셨습니다. 그런 의미에서 베델교회는 가족입니다. 그래서 교회에서 성도들 간에 함께 있는 것이 신경을 많이 써야 하기에 더 불편한 것 같고, 서로의 표현이 어리숙해 마음에 상처를 줄 때도 있지만, 함께 있는 것이 행복이고 힘이라고 생각합니다. 사랑하는 성도님들은 행복을 찾아 혹시 가족을 떠나려고 하지는 않는지요. 올해도 매 주일을 지키고, 나에게 맡겨진 봉사의 자리를 지키고, 성도 간의 교제의 자리를 지킨다면 그것을 통해 나 자신과 주위의 형제와 자매가 위로와 힘을 누리게 될 것입니다. 올해도 베델가족 화이팅 입니다.
마12:50 “누구든지 하늘에 계신 내 아버지의 뜻대로 하는 자가 내 형제요 자매요 어머니이니라 하시더라”
Fighting, Bethel Family!
Rev. Hong Sik Kim
When a family is together, often things can become difficult and we hurt each other, but at the same time, we comfort one other and become strength for each another. I have three boys in my family and every day is a battle zone. I don’t think we ever had a clean house, and a day never goes by without screams and yells. After a long day of ministry, I go home and sit on a sofa to rest and then come requests from my kids. “Daddy! Let’s play with a top, let’s do hurricane.” With each request, I say ‘Okay’ but sometimes I just want to say, ‘Let me rest for a bit’. Right now my family is in Korea since I came to the States a month ahead of them. I go to a clean home. It is quiet. There are no kids asking me to do things with them. So, I thought I was happy and comfortable. The environment is as I wanted and the natural surrounding of America is beautiful and perfect but my heart longs for my family. My wife, as if she knew my heart, sent me a video clip of my kids praying before going to bed. My youngest son prayed, “The weather is hot. Please let my Daddy swim.” Then my second son did a pitiful prayer saying, “Thank you for the delicious food.” I was proud of them for praying for their dad but I couldn’t help but laugh at the contents of their prayers. Then my first son began to pray. “God, Daddy is alone in America. Please help him not to get too lonely and keep him healthy. In Jesus name, Amen!” As I listened to his prayer, my laughter stopped, my heart felt heavy and tears began to roll. Then, I was comforted and strengthened. What is a family? How could they give such courage and strength? My son’s prayer wasn’t impressive or eloquently moving but the reason it moved and strengthened me was because we are family. Immigrant life sometimes separates family at times and brings loneliness through lack of communication. Unfamiliarity of situations makes things more difficult, and being treated as a foreigner makes things even harder still. I think, when you have a family, you are encouraged to step up and try.
However, Jesus did not call his biological family, who came looking for him, a family. Instead, he referred to church as his family. He called those who gathered at church, with the belief and obedience in Jesus Christ, brothers and sisters. From this perspective, Bethel Church is a family. Therefore, even though it may be uncomfortable or takes a lot of care to be with each other and we may even hurt one another with our immature expressions, but we are happier and being together strengthens us. Perhaps, you are looking to leave in search of happiness. However, as you keep the Lord’s Day each week, serving where you’ve been called, and by keeping your fellowship, you and your brothers and sisters will enjoy each other’s comfort and strength. So, this year, let’s fight, Bethel family.
Matthew 12:50 “For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”