亲爱的校友，
Blessed 2026!?
The new year came so quickly with a bang, and the month of January has almost ended!
I want to share the following passage of Scripture to encourage and challenge us for this year.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guide your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. …. And the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9)
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter while he was in prison. Yet the recurring theme in this ‘prison epistle’ is one of joy and rejoice! Paul did not focus on his immediate inconvenience and suffering but on the joy of the Lord! Every challenge, every suffering, every humiliation was a reason for Paul to rejoice in the Lord and to see something positive for his life, ministry and God’s kingdom work.
Joy is so important regardless of the external circumstances or challenges that come our way. Joy is not a feeling but a disposition, a posture that characterizes a disciple of Christ.
As we journey through 2026, there will be new challenges and problems in this world, in our personal lives, family lives and also in our work-place. Let us remember that as God’s children we are not spared from these problems. But God promises us his peace in the midst of crises and storms.
Paul commands us to pray all kinds of prayers daily, according to the needs and circumstances, and to wrap each prayer with thanksgiving! He calls us to think pure, holy, beautiful and wholesome thoughts daily, assuring us that God is the Father of Peace, and he will grant us his peace every time!
Let us therefore rejoice in the Lord always and commune with him through his Word and in prayer. May the God of Peace teach us to number our days aright, so that we may have a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:14), to navigate the challenges that come our way. May the LORD also bless the work of our hands (Psalm 90:17), as we continue to live, worship and serve him.
Rejoicing in the LORD always,