After a long wait, the renovation of our church has finally begun.
From the outside, our church looks much the same, but inside things are quite different. Some seating in the auditorium has been temporarily blocked off, so we may need to sit in a different place than usual. One large display screen is unavailable, there will be no fresh flower arrangements, and some members may also be more affected by the dust or painting work during this period. As the renovation progresses, there will be further inconvenience.
All these disruptions are part of addressing the outdated gutter design around our church buildings. Simply repairing the damage was no longer enough; the design itself needed to be improved.
Will the pain and inconvenience of the renovation be worth it?
The Spirit often uses life's disruptions not merely to repair us, but to reshape our hearts. Through illness, financial pressures, strained relationships or unexpected changes, He may deepen our relationship with God. These seasons often bring uncertainty, loss and frustration. Yet perhaps the deeper question is not, "Why is this happening?" but, "What is the Spirit doing in us through this disruption?"
Many of us have also been following the Hong Kong Bible Conference over the past week. For nearly a century, it has been one of the most influential Bible conferences among Chinese Christians. After two pastors who had been kidnapped for ransom were eventually released, church leaders recognised the deep spiritual needs of God's people. Out of that difficult season, the Hong Kong Bible Conference was established and has nourished believers.
Often we ask God simply to remove the pain. Yet perhaps the Spirit is doing something deeper. He is not merely repairing the visible damage; He is reshaping our hearts.
Every change of seat and every inconvenience can remind us that while our church building is being renovated, the Spirit is also transforming us into the likeness of Christ, so that we may know Christ more deeply.
經過一段時間的等待，教會翻新工程終於開始了。
從教會外面看，一切好像沒有甚麼改變，但走進正堂，大家很快便會發現不一樣。部分座位已暫時封閉，我們可能需要坐在平日不同的位置；其中一個大型顯示屏暫停使用；這段期間亦不會有鮮花擺設；對灰塵或油漆較敏感的弟兄姊妹，也可能會受到一些影響。隨著工程陸續展開，未來幾個月相信還會有更多不便。
這一切都是為了解決教會建築物排水槽設計過時的問題。過去我們一直修補滲漏，但單單修補已經不足夠，設計本身需要改善。
翻新工程帶來的種種不便，值得嗎？
很多時候，聖靈也會藉著人生不同的轉變，不只是修補，更是塑造我們的心。祂可能藉著疾病、經濟壓力、緊張的人際關係，或生命中突如其來的改變，加深我們與神的關係。這些日子，我們難免會感到不安、失落，甚至挫折。但也許更值得我們問的，不是「為甚麼會發生這些事？」，而是「聖靈正藉著這些轉變，在我們生命中作甚麼？」
過去一星期，不少弟兄姊妹都一直收看港九培靈研經會。近一百年來，它一直是華人教會其中一個最具影響力的研經聚會。當年兩位牧者被綁架勒索，獲釋後，教會領袖看見信徒屬靈生命的需要，就在那段艱難的日子創辦了港九培靈研經會，直到今天，仍然透過神的話語牧養和建立無數信徒。
很多時候，我們只想神快點把痛苦挪去。然而，也許聖靈正在作更深的工作。祂不只是修補那些表面的問題，更是在塑造我們的心。
每一次調動座位、每一個不便，都可以提醒我們：當教會建築物正在翻新的同時，聖靈也正在把我們塑造成基督的樣式，使我們更深地認識基督。
