내가 속한 곳(WHERE I BELONG)

💙 내가 속한 곳

 ✝  시편 133 

“보라 형제가 연합하여 동거함이 어찌 그리 선하고 아름다운고”[시편 133:1]

하나님의 구원 사역의 위대함을 기념하고 기억하는 유대 전통 명절인 유월절을 기념하는 식사가 끝날 무렵, 교인들은 함께 원을 만들어 춤을 추며 기쁨을 표현했습니다. 배리는 뒤에 서서 큰 미소를 지으며 바라보았습니다. 그리고 자신이 이런 시간을 얼마나 좋아하는지 이렇게 말했습니다. “이들은 이제 내 가족이며 내가 속한 공동체입니다. 나는 내가 사랑하고 사랑 받을 수 있는, 내가 속한 곳을 찾았습니다.”
어린 시절 배리가 겪었던 혹독한 정신적, 신체적 학대는 그의 기쁨을 앗아갔습니다. 그러나 지역 교회는 그를 반갑게 맞이하여 그에게 예수님을 소개했습니다. 교회 공동체에서 기쁨을 준다는 것을 알게 된 그는 그리스도를 따르기 시작했고 자신이 교회에서 사랑 받고 받아들여지고 있음을 느꼈습니다.

시편 133편에서 다윗 왕은 강렬한 이미지를 사용해 하나님의 백성이 “선하고 기쁘게” 하나가 될 때 그 힘이 멀리까지 미치는 것을 보여주었습니다. 이것은 마치 옷깃으로 흘러내리는 보배로운 기름을 부음 받은 사람 같다고 말했습니다(2절). 기름 부음은 고대 세계에서 흔한 일이었고, 때로 누군가의 집을 방문할 때 하는 인사 같은 것이었습니다. 다윗은 또한 이렇게 하나 됨을 생명과 복을 가져다 주는, 산에 내린 이슬에 비유했습니다(3절).
기름의 향기는 방을 채우고 이슬은 건조한 곳에 수분을 공급합니다. 이처럼 하나 됨도 외로운 이들을 따뜻하게 맞아주는 것과 같은 선하고 기쁨이 되는 힘이 있습니다. 하나님께서 우리를 통해 선을 이루실 수 있도록 그리스도 안에서 하나 되기를 구합시다.

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당신은 공동체에서 하나 됨을 경험한 적이 있습니까? 
교회 안에서 당신이 잘 모르는 사람에게 어떻게 다가갈 수 있을까요?

<예수님, 제가 받아들이기 쉬운 이들뿐만 아니라 불편하게 느껴지는 이들에게도 주님의 사랑을 보일 수 있도록 도와주소서.>

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[시편 133]
1. 보라 형제가 연합하여 동거함이 어찌 그리 선하고 아름다운고
2. 머리에 있는 보배로운 기름이 수염 곧 아론의 수염에 흘러서 그의 옷깃까지 내림 같고
3. 헐몬의 이슬이 시온의 산들에 내림 같도다 거기서 여호와께서 복을 명령하셨나니 곧 영생이로다

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💙 WHERE I BELONG

 ✝  Psalms 133 ] 

“ How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! “[ PSALM 133:1 ]

At the end of a meal to mark Passover, a traditional Jewish holiday that celebrates and remembers the greatness of God’s saving work, church members expressed their joy by dancing together in a circle. Barry stood back, watching with a huge smile. He remarked how much he loved these occasions, saying, “This is my family now. This is my community. I’ve found some- where where I know I can love and be loved . . . where I belong.” In his childhood, Barry suffered cruel emotional and physical abuse, robbing him of his joy. But his local church welcomed him and introduced him to Jesus. Finding their unity and joy infectious, he began following Christ and felt loved and accepted.

In Psalm 133, King David used powerful images to illustrate the far-reaching effects of the “good and pleasant” unity of God’s people. He said it’s like someone who is anointed with precious oil, the liquid running down over their collar (V. 2). This anointing was common in the ancient world, sometimes as a greeting when one entered a home. David also compared this unity to the dew that falls on the mountain bringing life and blessing (V. 3).
Oil releases a fragrance that fills a room and dew brings moisture to dry places. Unity too has good and pleasant effects such as welcoming those who are alone. Let’s seek to be united in Christ so that God can bring about good through us.
- AMY BOUCHER PYE

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When have you seen unity at work in your community? 
How could you reach out to someone you don’t know at your church?

<Jesus, help me to show Your love, not only to those I find easy to accept but also to those I find challenging.>

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[Psalms 133]
1. {A Song of Ascents, of David.} Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
2. It is like the precious oil upon the head, Coming down upon the beard, [Even] Aaron's beard, Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
3. It is like the dew of Hermon, Coming down upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing-- life forever.