In New Zealand…
The dusk in March is drenched in glaring sun beams.
The dusk in April pictures slanting beams of the setting sun.
The dusk in May is a dark canopy of stars and the moon.
I do not know the
definition for ‘dusk’,
Perhaps a time to head for a rest at home, after a whole day’s work,
and enjoy the bliss of family life!
Yet I know whether it be rain or shine,
It has been for countless evenings,
That our old pal – that old and much-loved gospel chariot –
Will, before the arrival of its senile years,
Faithfully carry Serah and I
To and fro between Auckland, Hamilton and Rotorua in New Zealand,
Weaving its way through small towns like Matamata, Te Awamutu and
Rukuhia.
I do not know the
definition for ‘dusk’,
Perhaps a time for the flock in the paddocks to return to sheep pens
for a rest!
Yet I know the Lord’s sheep are still in the mountains…
‘…My sheep wandered
over all the mountains and on every high hill. They were scattered
over the whole earth, and no one searched and looked for them.’
(Ezekiel 34:6)
I
seem to hear them crying out softly…baa…baa…
‘I have believed in the Lord for quite some time, but no one has
ever told me what “devotion time” is!’
Weak sheep, you need to be strengthened…
‘Life or death makes no difference to me…what is the meaning for man
to be alive?’
Injured sheep, you need to be bound.
‘I’ve been attending church since young, how come it’s a heretic
one?’
Sick sheep, you need to be healed.
‘I’d been to English-speaking churches (no Chinese church
available), but how could I believe if I didn’t even understand? I
now worship the Buddha.’
Poor lost sheep that have gone astray, you need to be searched and
rescued…
‘I myself will tend my
sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign Lord. I will
search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the
injured and strengthen the weak…’(Ezekiel 34:15-16)
I
do not know the definition for ‘dusk’,
Ah yes, it is a time when the night is still young, a time while
work is still possible!
I also know
If it is not by knocking at the doors everywhere we will not
understand what ‘to be abhorred’ means;
If it is not by pioneering through blood and tears we will not
understand what is meant by ‘work very hard in the Lord’;
If it is not by going out weeping and carrying seed to sow, how can
there be songs of joy in gathering the sheaves!
If it is not by cultivating diligently, how will we treasure every
fruit?
I
do not know the definition for ‘dusk’,
Yet I know
During the dusk at the Passover, the lamb was killed;
Far back in time, when dusk fell, the Lord’s body was laid in a
tomb.
I
do not know the definition for ‘dusk’,
Yet I know
The Lord’s love is balmy, despite the glaring sunbeams;
The Lord’s love is encouraging, despite the slanting beams of the
setting sun;
The Lord’s love is still with me, despite the dark canopy of stars
and the moon.
I
do not know the definition for ‘dusk’,
Yet I know
A brisk morning after ‘that very dusk’
The Lord’s tomb was empty!
The Lord has risen!
So
Let’s rise in vigour to search for flocks of sheep among the
mountains,
Let’s joyfully hasten our footsteps towards the high mountains to
pasture the Lord’s sheep!
