Young Adults' Group

A Time To Love

by Pastor Mark
February 18, 2021

A muted and sobering time

For many of us, we probably experienced a muted Lunar New Year due to the government measures to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. We were not able to celebrate together with our extended family members like we used to.

It was also a sobering time for me as I reflected on what has happened to my immediate and extended family. We experienced three deaths in the family over the last six months. Our first uncle and my father passed away in the last quarter of 2020. Our last remaining granduncle also passed away just a month ago. We are seeing the elderly members of the extended family passing on quite swiftly.

Life is indeed fleeting like vapor which lasts only for a very short time (Ps 39:5). It matters what we do with the time that we have left with our family.

1. Time to treasure our family

As we recognise how limited the time we have with each other, we ought to treasure our loved ones, especially those who are elderly. Let us not waste the time that we have remaining with them, but show them that we care.

As a church, we have sought to treasure our elderly folks by giving them a Lunar New Year gift. We want to remember them and to let them know that they are loved and cherished. Let us seek to do the same for our elderly family members in one way or another, to tell them that they are treasured.

2. Time to reach out

As we are reminded that life is fleeting, we are also challenged to reach out to our family members who may still not know the Lord. There should be a greater sense of urgency to reach out because of the brevity of life. We do not know when time will be up for our loved ones.

The Lord Jesus spoke of how the fields are white for harvest (John 4:35). We never know how our further efforts might be a turning point in reaching out to our loved ones. Let us be challenged to continue to reach out with a greater sense of urgency.

3. Time to abound in love

Our love should continue to grow as we seek to sustain our efforts to treasure and to reach out to our family members. When we find it hard to love, our efforts may dwindle. Let us pray for our love to abound more and more (Phil 1:9). We will need a greater depth and volume of love to sustain our efforts. We will also need knowledge and discernment, to have the wisdom to approve the things that are excellent.

As we treasure our loved one, wisdom is needed in how we should love them. In reaching out to them, let us have the right approach by showing them a love that is sensitive and discerning.

While we have the time and opportunity, let us pray and grow in our love that we may treasure and reach out to our loved ones with greater effort and consistency.

Back to Article Listing