A Change of Venue 转换场地
Dexu Xia
We . . . would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8
My friend Joann passed away from a stroke just as the coronavirus began to spread in 2020. At first her family published that her memorial service would be at her church, but then it was determined it was best to hold it at a funeral home to control the size of the group attending. The new notice online read: Joann Warners—Changed Venue.
Yes, her venue had changed! She’d gone from the venue of earth to the venue of heaven. God changed her life years before, and she lovingly served Him for nearly fifty years. Even while she lay near death in the hospital, she asked about others she loved who were struggling. Now she’s present with Him; she has changed venues.
The apostle Paul had the desire to be with Christ in another venue (2 Corinthians 5:8), but he also felt it would be better for the people he served for him to remain on earth. He wrote to the Philippians, “It is more necessary for you that I remain in the body” (Philippians 1:24). When we grieve for someone like Joann, we may cry out to God something similar: They’re needed here by me and many others they loved and served. But God knows the best timing for their change of venue and our own.
In the Spirit’s strength, we now “make it our goal to please [God]” (2 Corinthians 5:9) until we see Him face-to-face—which will be far better. By: Anne Cetas
In what ways are you revealing your love for God and others where you are right now? How might you serve Him today?
I give myself anew to You, God. Please fill me with Your Spirit of love and make my life count for You.
我们……是更愿意离开身体与主同住。—哥林多后书5章8节
在2020年冠状病毒开始传播时，我的朋友乔安因中风去世。起初，她的家人宣布追悼会将在教堂举行，但后来决定最好还是在殡仪馆举行，以控制参加人数。于是，家属在网上发布地点更新的消息：“乔安·沃纳斯──转换场地”。
是的，她转换了场地！她的场地从地上转换到天上。多年前，上帝改变了她的生命，她满怀爱心地事奉上帝近五十年。即使她在医院里濒临死亡时，仍牵挂着身陷困境的亲朋好友。现在她与上帝同在，她已经转换场地了。
使徒保罗渴望在另一个地方，与基督同住（哥林多后书5章8节），但也觉得对他所服事的人来说，继续留在世上会更好。保罗写信给腓立比人说：“可是为了你们，我更需要活在世上”（腓立比书1章24节，新译本）。当我们为乔安或至亲好友悲伤时，我们可能也会说这些话，向上帝呼求：我需要他们在我身边，他们的亲友和他们服事的人也需要他们！但上帝知道他们和你我需要转换场地的最佳时机。
靠着圣灵的能力，我们现今“立了志向，要得主的喜悦”（哥林多后书5章9节），直到我们面对面见到祂，而那个时候确实是好得无比！作者： 施安妮
现在你可以怎样表达你对上帝和他人的爱？
今天你可以怎样事奉祂呢？
上帝，我将自己重新献给祢。
请用祢爱的灵充满我，
让我的生命为祢发光。