Revisiting Taiwan: A Timely Pattern

The churches in the Lord’s recovery in Taiwan have been shepherding the churches in India for decades altogether now. This sweet coordination in shepherding between the countries is amazing. Only the divine life with the divine nature in the divine grace in God's divine economy can carry out such a coordination. Just as Paul shepherded his spiritual son Timothy in the aspect of truth constitution, God-man living, preaching the gospel and propagating the truth, so also the churches in Taiwan to the churches in India. This is no cooked up man made slogan, but a declaration of the fact. And the facts subjectively have been experienced and enjoyed by many siants. I believe, I am on of the many beneficiaries.

Since the time I came in touch with the ministry of the age, I have been shepherded step by step by the brothers who served in India and sent by the work in Taiwan. In fact, my first encounter with a brother from Taiwan set the course of my future Christian life and service. The first sentence uttered to me was, "Come to the full-time training." It was a shockingly surprise statement to me. I thought to myself, "Who are you? I don't even belong in your group." For, at that time I had not yet come into the practical churches life in the Lord’s recovery under the vision of God’s economy. Two years later, that prophetic statement became true! I joined the full-time training!

From the very beginning, the brothers who have been shepherding me, especially in the matter of the church life and the practices of the God-ordained way, were all from Taiwan. The first prophetic meeting, a brother from Taiwan. The one who shepherded me into the practical church life, a brother from Taiwan. The teachers in the full-time training center, brothers from Taiwan. The gospel propagation coordination I had been with in New Delhi and Gurugram, the brothers from Taiwan. The sister the Lord blessed me to be my wife, a sister from Taiwan. Thank the Lord for this Taiwan connection!

This time, 8-16 June 2024, about 40 brothers from India embarked on a week long visit to different localities in Taiwan; Taoyuan, Taipei, New Taipei City, and Hsinchu. I was graced to receive hospitality at five different homes. It was quite an experience! The love and care of the saints have been overwhelming! I personally have been love feasting all the way on the rich provision of love feast from the saints. On the practical side, I have also been love learning all the practises they have been practising in their carrying out of the God-ordained way.

As men, we see, observe, and learn from what we are seeing outwardly. But deep within all these, there are deep divine principles which only our enlightened eyes of our hearts could perceive. Therefore, with the excerise of our mingled spirit, we digest them. And by God’s mercy, we may learn and follow them practically. As Paul told his spiritual children, imitate me, it is best to imitate a pattern set up by our spiritual parents, the churches in Taiwan.

This probably is my Sixth or Seventh time visit to Taiwan. Each time, I discovered something new spiritually related to the church life. Each time, I discovered a timely pattern for me personally to learn from and imitate intrinsically.  Each time is like a first time visit in a very positive sense. Thereby, proving itself to be a timely pattern. And each time is the best visit ever. 

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not disorderly among you; Nor did we eat bread as a gift from anyone, but in labor and hardship we worked night and day so that we would not be burdensome to any of you; Not because we do not have the right, but in order that we might give ourselves to you as a pattern that you might imitate us. (2 Thessalonians 3:7-9, RecVer)

Praise the Lord that we have a pattern to imitate! Only the fool, blind, and proud people would reckon it as a shame to imitate others. But we, who knows our living God, and we know whom the Lord has set up as patterns for us to learn from and imitate. It is indeed a blessing to imitate a pattern and in turn, become a pattern to others.

Learn from a Pattern

But you, continue in the things which you have learned and have been assured of, knowing from which ones you have learned them (2 Timothy 3:14, RecVer)

Follow the Practices of the Pattern

Practice these things; be in them, that your progress may be manifest to all. Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things; for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. (1 Timothy 4:15-16, RecVer)

Praise the Lord! 

Lord, continue to bless Your move and Your testimony in Taiwan and India.

Amen!