2022.02.26/27
From the Pastor’s Desk: Rev. Raphael Chow
Dear brothers and sisters of RCAC,
Before the tree is in proximity and the flowers is seen comes a gust of delicate fragrance, it must be the plum blossoms!
Tiny flowers growing on strong thin stems, each plum flower usually has five petals in double layer. White centre with pastel peripheries, complemented with creamy stamens, what a rich display! This floret is also plentiful in hue: red as the sunset, white as the skift, green as the jade! The plum tree can grow to 10 metres, with curved trunk and swirling branches. When it flourishes, it bears a resemblance to the twinkling and gleaming stars. You will sure be dazzled with such a picturesque scene!
Plum tree neither soars as the pine and the cypress, nor exhibits gracefulness of the willow. She lacks the elegance of the lily or the stunning beauty of the rose! She never joins up the floral spring contest, or shows off its splendour. No one notices her silhouette in the flourishing spring. Yet when all florets wither in the ice and snow, she turns up to be so energetic and vibrant with its enchanting bloom!
She is not lonely without butterflies flying around, and is not gloomy without honey bees trailing after. Plum blossom is not fearful and never lose heart towards the snow fall. The more severe is the cold, the more bullying from the snow storm, she blooms with even more delicacy. She stands in the blizzard with pride, yet not arrogant. Going together with her is not the temperate spring breezes, but the freezing frost bites. Moisturizing her is not the warm rivulet, but chilling iciness all over the place. Lightening her up is not the brilliant sun, but the winter afterglow. Nevertheless, being endorsed by the harsh winter snow, she brings about the intoxicating fragrance of the plum blossoms.
“With deep ice at the cliff, stands the smart blossoming branches”
Though the plum blossom is pretty, it is not long-lasting. It blooms at the beginning of the freezing winter, and it withers when spring creeps in. The lifespan of the plum blossom might be brief, its fragrance is long-lasting! If you visit the plum blossoms, its fragrance will adhere to your clothing and stay with you for a few days!
For ages, plum blossom denotes dignity and resilience, aristocracy and fine-looking, refined and unique. Likewise, it also symbolizes the Christian life: instead of going with the flow of and imitating the world, we follow God’s will and be transformed by the renewing of our mind, understand and practice a God-pleasing life in all aspects (Romans 12;1-12). However, life will be full of challenges as we go against the world, just like the experience of Paul:
“23 … I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, 26 I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. 27 I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. 28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.” (2 Corinthians 11:23-28)
Going though these difficulties, Paul overcomes these challenges without failing or tumbling. Christians are able to overcome the world. (1 John 4:4, 5:4) Let’s follow the example of Paul, as Paul followed the example of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Hope to see traits of the plum blossom in your life, glorifying our Heavenly Father in the same way!
Your servant in Christ
Rev. Raphael Chow