Issue 489 Featured Article: Reflecting On the Past, Heading Towards 70th – A Fearless Heart Must Not Be Lost
Barry CHEUNG The General Secretary
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FES 65th Anniversary Thanksgiving Gathering has been successfully completed. The theme of this gathering was “Reflecting on the past and heading Towards 70th”, which was not a reminiscence of the past or a review of past achievements. While all that FES has done for God in the past is important, Dr. Simon CHEUNG led us through Hebrews 10 to reflect on the many painful struggles we have endured. These experiences of enduring and not holding back have been the driving force behind our ability to keep moving forward into the days ahead. After 65 years of the student evangelical movement, how should we take the steps in the future? With the changes of the times, may we persevere with the sincere faith and do the will of God together (Heb. 10:36).
Days of the Past Bring Fearlessness
In the days when faith is constantly being eroded, the writer of Hebrews reminds us “not to throw away your fearless heart” (Heb. 10:35). Fearlessness (παρρησία) positively means the ability to face external pressures and challenges with calmness, which is also a manifestation of freedom of faith and openness of heart, as well as a public testimony. Sometimes, when faith meets painful struggles, we deliberately avoid them, choosing to bypass them in a painless way. However, the author of Hebrews wants us not to forget the days of our affliction, so that today we can accept with joy the deprivation of our rights and look after one another in the same situation (Heb. 10:33-34).
Calling Brings Security
Some may say, “The macro environment is unchangeable, so we have to change ourselves to adapt to it.” For Christians, self-regulation and change is not a negative thing, but a journey of seeking a calling. Knowing our calling is like finding our own name. God established the Hebrew congregation in the past, and in the same way He is shaping our lives today so that we will have a role and place in His kingdom, which is a process of increasing understanding, commitment and growth.
When we find our place in the world, even when facing external pressures and challenges beyond our control (e.g., the social environment, personnel issues, things we are unwilling to do in our positions, etc.), ” affirmation of our calling” can give us greater confidence and courage to persevere, to see greater meaning in God, and even to have a profound impact on the people and things around us. In this way, because of our calling, we can experience a security that cannot be taken away from the journey of life.
Fellowship Brings Blessings
Finally, we need to walk with a community we trust. The most essential elements of community life are sharing and listening. Sharing is to enable deliverance, to communicate vision. Listening is to be open and accepting of others, not judging them according to your own intentions, but understanding wholeheartedly what their needs are in life. With the key as a symbol, the 65th anniversary of FES symbolizes the core values of faith inherited in the fellowship created by the Lord, and continues to extend its unique mission through each life in its position, bringing great blessings to the world.
The path ahead is a rugged one. No one will deny that it is not easy to work with young people in this time. We hope that in our journey “Heading towards the 70th”, we will walk against the current one step at a time, turn our lives back to the grace of the Word again and again. We will find that we are not alone, instead, God has arranged companions along the way to be “we” here and now. Even though we are weak, we are strong in the Lord and will eventually see the brightly shining light.