Young Adults' Group

A Time To Deeply Appreciate Bethany

by Pastor Mark
February 27, 2020

Reflecting on what we are experiencing

It has been a strange couple of weeks for many of us at Bethany. All our ministries in the church had to be suspended due to the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We find ourselves in a new reality each week where we are unable to go to the church as we used to.

We have been so used to being in church each week, where we would attend the different meetings that were being held. What we are experiencing are feelings of missing the things that we truly treasure and love in our life.

1. Missing Bethany

Many of us love Bethany, for it is the house of God. There is no better place that we would rather be on any Sunday. We long to be in the house of the Lord. We identify with the words of the sons of Korah which Pastor wrote about recently iniCARE, “How lovely is Your tabernacle, O Lord of hosts! My soul longs, yes, even faints for the courts of the Lord;” (Ps 84:1,2) There is a deep soul’s desire to be in the Lord’s house.

But it is not just about being in the physical building. It is also about seeking God and looking up to Him, “My heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.” (Ps 84:2) We miss going to the house of Lord on Sundays, to come before Him and to seek after Him.

2. Missing the ministries of Bethany

Many of us also miss the feeding of the Lord’s Word through the different ministries of Bethany. Previously, each week we had Sunday School, worship service, prayer meeting, Bible study, YAG and more. There was the consistent feeding of the Lord’s Word, which we have come to be accustomed to, and we miss it. But we thank God for the morning worship video messages that Pastor has been preaching each Sunday where our hearts continue to be enlightened and deeply moved. Let us truly appreciate the ministry of the Word of God.

3. Missing the fellowship of our brethren

We also miss the wonderful fellowship that we have experienced and enjoyed during our fellowship lunches each Sunday. Being with the people of the Lord and fellowshipping together over a sumptuous lunch, lovingly prepared by Aunty Sally and her team of cooks, were always uplifting and a real blessing.

All things work together for good

Is it a good thing that we have all these feelings of missing Bethany? The answer is “Yes”. There is a purpose in us having to go through this unprecedented experience. Two Sundays ago, Pastor spoke the words of the Apostle Paul, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” (Rom 8:28) The word “know” in Greek is “oidamen” which reflects certainty of knowledge and understanding. It comes through having a depth of faith and experience. We know with certainty that all things work together for good. It is good that we have experienced this suspension of ministries for it has helped us to deeply appreciate the Lord and what we have here in Bethany so much more. We do not want to take anything for granted. We see God’s purpose in helping us to see how blessed we are as a church. Let us deeply appreciate Bethany so much more as we continue to long for and miss being in the house of the Lord. Let us be encouraged to know that God has worked all things for our good.

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