Dear Shofar Joburg family
When we moved our little family from Somerset West to Johannesburg at the end of last year we knew it would not be easy to adjust. Joburg is a massive city, the financial hub of South Africa, with a reputation of being quite tough. We found the prospect of exchanging the sometimes lazy pace of the Western Cape for the ‘rat race’ of Gauteng quite daunting, but encouraged ourselves with the knowledge that we had family up here – both physical and spiritual family. Through your generosity, kindness, and love, you – our church-family – have made a challenging transition a lot easier, and for that we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
Throughout this year I have often heard people who have joined our congregation comment on the love they experienced here and how special it was to them. I want to commend you for receiving us, and so many others, with open hearts and for making this a community characterized by love. After all, didn’t Jesus say: ‘By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ (John 13.35) Let us continue being a loving Gospel community where people can come to experience God’s grace and the loving family they so long for.
Let us, therefore, continue to walk in the footsteps of our Master and Saviour, Jesus Christ, by denying ourselves and making the sacrifices that all family requires. Like Him we believe it is worth the sacrifice. Or as the apostle Paul wrote: ‘…as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.’ (Col 3.12-13)
All of this contributes to what God is building here in Joburg. We know that God is with us. We know that God is working in us and through us (Phil 2.12-13). We know that God is busy building us (Ps 127.1) and building through us. We experience it as individuals and whenever we come together to worship. Therefore, let us not lose heart by thinking that our contributions are insignificant, let us not be distracted by the things of this world which only last for a little while, and let us not be crushed by the cares of this world as though we have no heavenly Father to look after us (Matt 6.25-32), but let us ‘seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness’, knowing that our Father will take care of the rest (Matt 6.33-34).
The love with which you received us in Joburg is the very same love that God will use to attract sinners to salvation and grow saints into maturity – continue to grow in it. May you all be blessed as you spend time with family or friends during the holidays and may God grant you rest, protection, and a constant awareness of His love and Presence. The good in our lives cannot be taken away, the bad will be turned for good, and the best is yet to come (Rom 8.28-30).
Love and blessings in Christ
Hennie and Rochelle
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