The news reports that many Chinese from Malaysia and China who work in Singapore were very upset that they could not return home to celebrate Chinese New Year with their family members. One mother who after giving birth came to Singapore has not seen her child for one year. The father who also works in Singapore lamented that the child might not even recognise them as parents. Many of these relationships which we take for granted sometimes only become precious when we lose them. It is not that we do not see them as important. Our jobs and the many matters of everyday occupy our attention. We think in our hearts, “Spending time with my loved ones and these relationships are important but they can wait. Let me deal with my problems first.” But before you know it, something like Covid-19 disrupts it. The fact is: these relationships all along have been very important without which our life will lack some important strength. Hence, parents must spend time with your children. The Bible says that parents have a responsibility to “start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” (Prov 22:6). You must spend time to talk to them because they need guidance to manage their stress, emotions, friendships, studies, relationships, decisions, etc. They are easily influenced by good and bad ideas. You should not be surprised that they could not make the right decisions even in simple but important. Children need to realise this too: you lack discernment. You need to obey your parents.

Adults and children must spend time with your parents. You will gain much wisdom from them. Also, as children, you should spend time to talk to them. They would like to know what is happening in your life. Your company brings them comfort because they love you. Christians must “honour our parents” (Exod 20:12).

God’s Word clearly tells us in Psalms 133,

How good and pleasant it is
when God’s people live together in unity!
2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

 

God bestows “his blessing even life forever more” (Psa 133:3)—the blessing of eternal and abundant life comes with Christian fellowship! I urge you to come for cell-group meetings and Sunday School. Come for prayer meetings. Be faithful in worship service—this is when we fellowship with each other and with God in a very wholesome way. Please stay back to lunch with fellow Christians. If you cannot lunch every Sunday, at least do so once a month faithfully. You will definitely be blessed with abundant life because God’s Word the Bible has never been wrong. It is God’s promise to you—there is eternal life in Christian fellowship.