Restore… (Malachi 4:4 - 6) 231007
Today is my uncle’s funeral. He is a bachelor, my father’s brother. He left the world without anything for anyone, but he left some thoughts for me to reflect upon.
As I read this morning passage, I remember the law of Moses (which is the Word of God) and I have seen through history of ‘the great and terrible day of the Lord’ in my Lord, Jesus Christ (v4-5). And the purpose was to restore relationships (v6). This part causes me to stop and ponder.
The reason I am doing the book of Malachi as my devotion, is that I am assigned to writing an expository sermon script on the a section of the book of Malachi. It was to be due next by tomorrow, but
till now, not a single word has been written. But this book has gotten me to reflect on few things, and one of which is about relationship, especially with the death of my uncle.
In my father’s family, he had four other brothers (all passed away) and two sisters (still around). Most of them were singles, only my first and second uncle had a family, and the second uncle had no children, but the first uncle had five children, all older than me
and my two sisters. Technically speaking, my cousins and I are to be very closed in relationship, but the sad thing is that we do not have any real relationship beside they are my cousins. When we met up to settle the wake and funeral of my uncle, we seemed to be so distance. They were like stranger to me. Their children don’t even know how to address me. Something in my heart tells me that there is something wrong here.
When I read that the Lord will come to restore the hearts of the fathers to the hearts of the children, and the hearts of the children to the hearts of the fathers (v6); it is more than just father-child relationship, it encompasses a greater scope of relationship and kinship. But relationship is built and strengthen through time and effort. I confess that I have made no time and effort to get to know my cousins and their families, I only met them whenever there is a crisis in the family, and I am not too sure, when will we meet again after this funeral.
This is an irony. Death supposes to bring people apart, but the death of my uncle has cause my heart to want to draw closer to my cousins. I think it is time to do so. I have purposed in my heart to restore this God given relationship.
Is there any relationship in your life that you have to restore too? Do not hesitate, send him or her a message, drop them call or visit them. I know it will be difficult, but this is want the Lord came for -
restoration of relationship.
HHS…
Abel…
