사랑하는 성도님들은 2019년 어떤 계획을 가지고 계신가요? 우리의 인생이 계획한 대로 되지 않고, 모든것이 엉망이 되는것 같은 상황에 있을때 누군가 함께할 수 있는 사랑하는 가족이 있다면 그 자체만으로도 든든하지 않을까라는 생각을 했습니다. 극심한 환난을 지내며 세워진 초대교회 성도들도 보면 함께 모여 말씀을 상고하고 기도하며 떡을 떼며 세상을 복음으로 정복해 나갔습니다. 환란 중에도 함께 신앙의 절개를 지켜나가는 형제가 곁에 있었기 때문입니다. “한 사람이면 패하겠거니와 두 사람이면 맞설 수 있나니 세 겹 줄은 쉽게 끊어지지 아니하느니라”(전4:12) 베델의 성도님들이 다같이 함께 울고, 웃고, 걷는다면 우리의 삶이 계획대로 되지 않는다고 하더라도 얼마나 행복할까요? 그것을 사모하면서 베델의 성도님들이 셀모임에 모두 동참하여 셀식구의 은혜를 경험하며 세상을 정복하는 꿈을 행복하게 꾸어봅니다.
Happiness is Being Together
Rev. Hong Sik Kim
Last week our family went to Joshua tree National Park for our three sons who wanted to see stars. We packed cup ramen for dinner with burner, lantern, etc., and with much excitement we started our trip. We had a very enjoyable time talking, teasing, and laughing on our way. But about an hour into the drive, kids started to complain asking when we will get there. To appease them, we began looking for a store and found a Cajun French Fry House. While in the restaurant, as our youngest began grooving to music in the background, everyone began moving their heads to the groove of music and broke out into laughter. As we headed out to see the stars, an ominous feeling came over me. The sky was filled with clouds and we couldn’t even see the moon. I thought about what if we can’t see the stars when we get there. With a worrisome heart I asked, “We drove for 2.5 hour, what if we can’t even see stars?” and our kids began adding their comments. “That’s right, dad. We came so far but what if we can’t see stars”. Then my wife said to the kids, “Kids! We had fun preparing for the trip packing cup ramen and snacks. Didn’t we have fun talking in the car and laughing in the restaurant? Even if we just go home without seeing stars, I am fine because I am happy just being with family.“ Then I realized that seeing stars will be great, but the time spent together with our family on the road was truly a precious moment of happiness.
Beloved Bethel members, what kind of plans do you have for 2019? When our life doesn’t go as planned and everything seems chaotic, I thought how secure we can feel just knowing that we have someone we can be with, like a loving family. We see how the early church members in the Bible, who endured extreme tribulation, as they gathered to study the Word, pray, and break bread together, were able to conquer the world with the gospel. This is because even in tribulation, they had accountability of brothers and sisters of faith. “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Eccl 4:12) Even when our life doesn’t go according to plan, how happy will we still be if our Bethel members can cry together, laugh together, and walk together? With that in mind, let’s share in the happiness as we gather together in our cell meetings, experience blessings, and dreaming together of conquering the world.