Cornerstone 房角石 （Eng version below)

這樣，你們不再做外人和客旅，是與聖徒同國，是神家裡的人了。並且被建造在使徒和先知的根基上，有基督耶穌自己為房角石，各房靠他聯絡得合式，漸漸成為主的聖殿，你們也靠他同被建造，成為神藉著聖靈居住的所在。（弗 2:19-22）

構思這幅圖時，我想畫出一個緊密、穩固的關係網。這網絡是立體的，神將不同背景和性格的人連結起來。本是互不相干，神將我們 拼湊在一起，跨越年紀、教會和地域，讓萬事的都互相效力，叫愛神的人得益處。及至基督的群體越來越廣闊、倍增，彼此感情更深。 我之前為緬北音樂中心繪畫，體驗到團體合作以神為中心、將祈禱擺上的美好。基督在每人生命裏作王作工，祂用看不到的「線」把人牽連起來，編織出最美麗的圖畫。這幅圖畫就是基督的身體，在此我以羔羊和獅子來呈現。祂是房角石， 我們先與祂連結，靠著我們也彼此連結， 不再是獨立個體了。

雖然我們彼此之間會性格不一，三尖八角，會有起衝突和嫌隙的情況。 那惡者也專找破口，日夜計謀如何插手搞破壞。可是當我們連於基督，祂讓我們經歷磨合，勝過危機，我們鋒利的棱角磨得愈來愈平滑。 聖靈轉化我們，改變我們對人和事的目光，變得更像基督。慢慢地衝突被愛心耐心溶化， 矛盾轉化為互補長短， 傷口也漸漸的被神醫治。 我發覺神要的並非挑剔別人，而是先從自己本分做起，專心把神的教導做好。 待已以嚴、待人以寬。 神亦教導我們在基督身體當中有較不體面，或許是比較軟弱或是不起眼的，要更加照顧他們，要讓他們得體面（林前12:22-26）。在主裡彼此尊重，總要清清潔潔的 （提前5:2）。

經中提到使徒和先知作基礎。他們早已逝去，好像跟我們沒什麼連結，但其實恰恰相反。 耶穌說神非死人的神，而是活人的神。信祂的人雖然死了，也要活著（約11:25），將來我們必定相遇。更甚的是，我們在在這地上活着，原來同時也在天上活！ 這不是講以後將來，而是現在這一刻正正與神一同坐在天上（腓 2:6）。這是神何等的厚恩！眼雖未能看見，在靈裡卻是實實在在的；好像很飄渺，在主裡卻是能真切理解的。讓我們現在在主裡同享作為神子民的榮譽， 亦竭力活好每一天、完成在地上當跑的路。

In this illustration, I depicted an intricately woven a network of God’s holy nation. It is three dimensional, as it comprises of people from all races, region, culture, language, ages whom accepted God’s invitation to join His big family --- who truly believe in the Son of God. Being part of this network, I was fascinated to see how God brings people together and does awesome work through us. His will is for His body, illustrated as the Lion and the Lamb, to grow exponentially in number, depth and love! He first reaches our hearts on an personal level, and proceeds to connect each in Him. He is the Cornerstone, who is weaving upon Him a beautiful tapestry of His wonderful handiwork.

As we are welcomed into His presence, we carry with us values and habits shaped by our families, upbringings, and culture. Our personalities may clash among God’s people; and our conflicts or misunderstandings may arise. The evil one who’s constantly plotting sow further chaos and confusion. Yet the Holy Spirit works within us, and gives us a spiritual lens to view each other with love and compassion. Open wounds are healing. In hindsight, these moments are a time of molding and refining, and they draw us closer to Christ and to each other, and to become more like Him. What’s important is to follow God’s commands, to respect each other with absolute purity. For those who we think are less honorable, we shall honor and care for them more.

We live in the reality right now where we are seated with God in the heavenly realms in Jesus (Ephesians 2:6)! Although we don’t see it now, nothing is more real spiritually. It may be a difficult concept to grasp, but by faith, we live in it with God’s joy and peace. May we cherish the privilege of being God’s children in Christ Jesus, and advance His Kingdom as a people of hope!