From last spring and summer until recently, it seems B.C. has experienced one disaster after another, in addition to this pandemic.  Starting from the wildfires with record-breaking high temperatures, followed by flooding, to the snow storms that happened a few weeks ago, and the avalanche warnings afterwards… all these catastrophes make it seem unbearable.  Under such helpless situations, all we can do is try to face them with courage, and not let these calamities affect our daily lives.  However, it’s always “easier said than done”.  

          We often hear people saying: “Man can conquer all”.  After going through all these natural disasters, we realize how ignorant it can be to say such. Our strength is so negligible and minimal.  The wildfires cannot be put out simply by human effort without rain from above, and after a day of heavy downpour, a whole town was under water. Extreme high temperatures, more than 10 degrees above normal, have already cost almost a thousand lives. Regardless of the most advanced technology, we are still unable to put the Coronavirus under control. Therefore “Man can conquer all” is merely wishful thinking.  Quite the opposite, we indeed have to be humble in front of God, and seek His help.

         Everyone has to face natural disasters, whether one has received Christ as her Savior or not. The difference is how we respond to adversity. [DE1] We as Christians know we have received abundant grace from God. Because of God’s unfailing love, and with the power of the Holy Spirit, we are empowered with His strength, so that even in midst of adversity, we have peace in our hearts to face difficulty together with other brothers and sisters. For those who do not know Jesus yet, what can they rely on?  As a result, it’s not a surprise to see so many people suffering mental and emotional distress throughout these long pandemic times.

          Today, God allows pandemics, natural disasters and catastrophes to happen. All this makes us realize how small and negligible we are, which leads us to humble ourselves, to repent, and come to God. Therefore, now is the time for us to be a witness of God to others. If we as Christians lack inner peace and joy, and have worries and fear more than those who do not believe, how can we be good witnesses in front of non-believers? I hope that every brother and sister in BAC, will make good use of this opportunity to be a witness for God. In this unusual time, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live out an extra-ordinary life which shows our exceptional joy and peace from God, is a good witness for God, and glorify the name of our Lord!  [DE1]This is redundant. 

         自去年的春、夏季開始至今，卑斯省在疫情的當中，更加添了“水深火熱” 一連串的天災。從山火開始，到破紀錄的高溫，跟著而來的水災，到數星期前的連場大雪，之後會有雪崩的警告等等，都令省民透不過氣來。在這無奈的情況下，我們只能夠學習去勇敢面對，不要被這一切的“災禍” 影響我們的生命，與及日常的生活。但這是談何容易呢﹖

        相信我們常常都會聽到有人說:“人定勝天”。意思是說人類可以靠著他們的意志力量，是可以勝過天命的。在過去的一切天災當中，我們便知道這句說話，實在只是出於人類的無知。人類實在是如何的渺小。山火若不是倚靠天雨的降臨，靠人的力量，就根本無法將它撲滅。而只是一天的濠雨，足已覆蓋整個小鎮。氣溫比正常高出十多度，便可以令到大溫社區近千人喪命。人類最尖端的科學研究，至今仍未能夠完全控制新冠病毒。“人定勝天” 就只是人類一句自我安慰的說話。世人極之需要在神面前謙卑求助。

        天災對無論是信主或不信主的人來說，我們所要面對的，都是一樣。而不同的，就是兩者是如何去面對。我們能夠用甚麼心態，用甚麼方法去面對呢﹖基督徒是有著特別的恩典，因為有愛我們的神，藉著聖靈的大能，加添力量給我們，使我們在患難困境中，心中仍然可以得著平安，與弟兄姊妹一同去面對。但未認識主耶穌的朋友，他們可以倚靠甚麼呢﹖難怪在這段漫長的疫情時刻，令至多人在心理精神健康上，出現極大的困擾。

        今天，神容許疫情、天災及困難臨到世界，為要世人知道神的大能與及人的渺小，而懂得謙卑歸向神。所以，今天就是信徒有極好機會為主作見證的時候。但假若我們比未認識主的朋友，在這段日子，有更多的憂慮和恐懼，心中比他們更沒有平安，更沒有喜樂的時候，我們又怎能在他們面前，活出美好的見證呢﹖盼望本宣家的每一位弟兄姊妹，靠著靈的大能大力，能夠把握時機，在這段不尋常的日子，為主活出不尋常，滿有平安喜樂美麗見證的生命，榮耀主名

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