As the first post-pandemic Christmas, churches in China held various celebrations to mark Christmas. Amidst such a merry atmosphere, Chongyi Church in Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province, conducted a modern music praise meeting with the theme of “Rebuild of Life,” the dance “Bridegroom and Bride,” and the progressive musical arrangement, bringing people into the three realms of the faith journey.
Joy at first encounter
The bride in white gauze slowly walked into the hall of the church, following the light's lead, and stepped up towards the altar amid the singing of "Your Presence Is Heaven." Her tenderness, serenity, and smile symbolized the beauty of our encounter with Christ, our Savior.
For this year’s music worship, the Chongyi Church's "Arise and Shine" Youth Fellowship dance team chose "bride," rather than any other costume, to connect all the beginnings and transitions of the entire worship, presenting the moment of a believer's first encounter with the Lord, Whose presence breaks the darkness, repairs fragility, redeems mistakes, and bestows mercy.
Ups and downs in the journey
Sister Zhao, a female believer, testified, “I’d like to know what kind of God He is and what He has to do with me."
With the arrival of daily reality and the end of the sweet honeymoon, her faith journey enters the next stage. For the time being, lies, pressure, and even persecution from the world overshadow the sweetness of the initial encounter. But God, the author and finisher, will protect us and help us overcome the setbacks and doubts to gain purified faithfulness.
Sister Zhao from the Chongyi Church Worship Team witnessed her faith journey, which started with her family when she was little and has continued to lavish her with love and grace throughout her student years.
She began to be confused, retreat, and become indifferent to her connection with God as she entered the workplace, where worldly success and glamor came to her. As medical intervention could no longer fill the emptiness in her heart, she started to think, "There is a problem in my relationship with God." She said, “I need to reconnect with the God of hope." So she returned to the Chongyi Church, taking a life-nourishing course and serving on the worship team.
The staff of the dance team interpreted this journey with bodies. A newlywed couple danced under the bright lights until a group of dancers in black robes approached and covered their eyes with black cloth.
When sins and lies separate you from God, don't worry that He will not let go. The dancer in the white robe broke through the wall of darkness and re-held the hands of the couple. Despite the ups and downs, “I know who is in charge of the future,” as Sister Zhao testified.
Covenant of forever love
"Change is the eternal law of the world," Rev. Mingliang of the church remarked. "Everyone is seeking eternity and yearning for the ability to adapt to changes for a sense of security. But true peace comes from the only truth: The world changes, but God remains."
"In your limited life, have you grown up to be what you want, or have you become a disgusting self?" His question touched the hearts of the present. "Does your former self still exist?" Everyone, whether seeker or believer, is like a blind sheep, following the grass in their eyes and getting lost.
The meaning and value of life do not lie in the fulfillment of desires. There is an instruction from the designer of the world—the Bible. Making a covenant with our Savior Jesus Christ and experiencing His life-renewing power is what our lives need.
- Translated by Poppy Chan
