Written by Wen-Lian Chang (張文亮) on Sept. 3, 2022, translated and posted with the author’s permission.
Wen-Lian Chang was a professor in the department of bioenvironmental systems engineering at National Taiwan University. He received his Ph.D. at UC Davis in the 1980s.
Original post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=5258216970953075&set=a.239632122811610
“And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24)
The Lord teaches us in the season of danger, it is essential to face the future bravely instead of shrinking back, running off or lingering in the beautiful past memories.
This is not carnal bravery, but rather, firstly, coming before God and holding fast to what one believes. Secondly, it is the bravery that leads to “considering one another.” The Lord says that the result of it will bring many blessings, which is stirring up love and good works.
In the season of danger, the Lord especially directs us not to allow ourselves to be alone, but to consider one another, or one may turn from Him and fall away.
We need to have fellowship with our brothers and sisters, for we are definitely not strong enough on our own. We need to live as a member of the body of Christ, to understand, to contemplate, to feel and to perceive many things, and to consider one another. Not living with the narrative of “I, I, I…” In this way, we may be protected by God in the season of danger.
The Lord promised us that when we consider one another, He will do one thing in us, which is “stirring up love.” Just as sharpening the sword with cast iron in the early days, “stirring” is like mending the broken and whetting the blunt. Yet it is not for attacking, but for the sake of love.
In the season of danger, the most fatal blow is about wearing out our love. Suffering causes love to fade and frustrate. It causes love to grow cold and perplexed.
The Lord wants us to consider one another in this season. It is a great blessing. He heals our hearts to love Him and our neighbor again. He stirs us up to hold fast to what He has entrusted us, and continue to do the good works according to His will.
In the season of danger, we don’t do any good or meaningful things from the world’s perspective, but only what the Lord wants us to do.
But there is a great gap between my knowledge of truth and my experience of it.
On the day my wife was taken by the Lord, my daughter and son-in-law immediately moved in to live with me. My daughter came and took care of everything, and only asked me when there was a major decision.
My son-in-law was with me while taking a walk, ordering meals or waiting for someone. My daughter arranged for a brother or a couple to have lunch or dinner with me every single day.
My wife had been in treatment for eight months while we continually fought for hope. However, her situation suddenly deteriorated on Aug. 26, which was totally beyond our expectations. On Aug. 31, my wife rested in peace. How great were the dread, fear and loneliness that swept over me!
I never expected the curtain that separated my wife and I would drop so hastily. I wasn’t prepared to face anything afterward.
My wife once looked at me on her sick bed, telling me to go and meet a certain friend. For a long time, my wife and I used to help other people. Now she was saying, “You need to receive help from others as well.”
On the night of Sept. 2, I sat before my desk, reading this verse quietly. It was raining outside, and I couldn’t stop weeping, but still, I read it through, “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.”
My wife and I cannot consider one another anymore. Other types of considering one another started to take place in my life.
O Lord, I really need others’ help. I need my daughter and my son-in-law to consider me. I need my brothers in church to consider me. I will keep the Lord’s word, not allowing myself to be alone.
My love is not yet stirred up, although there is some warmth, it isn’t burning at all. I do not know how I can do anything pleasing to the Lord in the future anymore.
Yet I still believe that God’s word never fails, especially in this season of danger, Jesus is Lord. I am a crying worm. Jesus is the Lord of the crying worm.