祂的平安长存:风暴肆虐时依然留存的宁静 

有一种平安是世人无法给予的;正因世人无法给予,也就无法将其夺去。我已历经岁月,深知两种平静截然不同:一种源于顺遂的境遇,另一种则更为深沉,即便境遇恶劣也能稳固如初。前者脆弱易逝,不过是借来的安宁——账单付清了、体检结果无恙、挚爱亲朋相伴左右时,它便存在;一旦这些条件改变,它便随之消散。后者则截然不同。那是属于神自己的平安,且恒久长存。

耶稣在受难前夕曾明确说道:“我留下平安给你们,我将我的平安赐给你们;我所赐的,不像世人所赐的”(约翰福音 14:27)。请留意祂的措辞。祂赐予的不仅仅是一种模糊的祝福,而是祂自己的平安。正是那种让祂能在船尾安然入睡的宁静——彼时,门徒们正忙着向外舀水,在狂风中惊惶呼喊——这正是祂要赐给我们的平安。当时加利利海波涛汹涌,巨浪不断拍打着船身,而神的儿子却枕着垫子安然入睡,心无挂碍,因为祂的平安并不受天气左右。

这正是关键所在。风暴是真实的,马可福音的记载并未对此轻描淡写。门徒并非在臆想危险;他们确实身处险境——至少在那些经验丰富的渔夫眼中看来确是如此。基督所赐的平安,并非意味着风暴消失;而是指船上有一位比风暴更伟大的主与你同在。

多年来我发现,我们往往祈求错了方向。我们反复祈求神平息风浪。有时,出于怜悯,祂确实会这样做;但更多时候,祂想要在我们生命中成就更美好、更持久的作为。祂希望在我们极力恳求祂挪去的困境之中,赐予我们祂的平安。危险过后,人人都能保持镇定;唯有靠着神内住的灵,人才能在风暴肆虐之时依然保持平静。

保罗深谙此道。他在罗马的监狱里——那不是书房,也不是舒适的牧师寓所,而是一间牢房——写信告诉腓立比人:神那“出人意外”的平安,必在基督耶稣里保守你们的心怀意念(腓立比书 4:7)。“保守”一词是个军事术语,意为驻防或站岗守卫。神的平安并非一种随心情起伏而飘忽不定的感觉;它就像一位守在心门的哨兵,将那些足以淹没我们的恐慌拒之门外。

这里有一个我们极易忽略的要点:这种平安是“出人意外”的。它不合常理,也与当下的处境不成比例。当你在困境中时,人们会看着你,纳闷你为何依然屹立不倒、依然满怀信靠、依然能够展露笑容。你无法向他们解释,也不必费力解释,因为这并非你理性推导的产物。这是神的恩赐,且恰恰是在局势让你找不到任何理性理由保持镇定时,它便临到了。

无论从何种角度看,当下的英国都是一个充满焦虑的地方。新闻头条令人沮丧,未来充满了久违的不确定感,许多信徒内心深处都怀着恐惧。但我愿温和而坚定地告诉你:福音正是为这样的时刻而存在的。基督所赐的平安,绝非仅适用于风平浪静之时。它在客西马尼园铸就,在各各他山上经受了考验,并曾引领历代圣徒安然度过教会所经历的每一个黑暗时代。

因此,不要以风势的强弱来衡量你的信心,而要看谁在船上。外面的风暴或许还会肆虐一阵子,这非我们所能掌控;我们能掌控的是:是否愿意奔向祂,将忧虑卸在祂脚前,并领受祂乐意赐予的那份宁静。

祂的平安长存。它始终都在。当患难来袭时,它不会收拾行囊离去。今晚,就在这份平安中安歇吧。任凭狂风呼啸。那位曾对大海说话的主与你同在,祂的平安必保守你——这平安并非世人所赐,而是祂所赐的,既深邃又恒久,且存留到永远。

28/06/2026
Salma
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Planning your Visit

Why not plan a visit to try us out?


studentwelcomer 

Whether this is your first time visiting a church or you’ve attended another church for years, we understand that visiting a new church can be a bit overwhelming. To help make it a bit easier, we’ve done our best to answer some questions you may have, so your first experience is a little less overwhelming.

Runnymede Christian Fellowship is a church based in Egham but serving a much larger geographical area. Those who call us home come from EghamVirginia Water, Staines, Englefield Green, Egham Hythe, Pooley Green, Maidenhead, Ascot, Sunbury, Heathrow, Slough, Ashford, Thorpe, Windsor, Woking and beyond.

Our church is a community of believers who gather regularly to share life and demonstrate God's love. We do this by encouraging and serving each other and the community. We believe in the power of prayer and are always happy to pray for you.
 

Church - What to expect

Our Sunday service is available to stream online at 11 am. You can join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or X.

The Sunday Venue is Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane in Egham, open to all, so if you would like to join us, please feel free to do so. If you have any questions, please call us on 01784 637010.

We run a physical Sunday School most weeks. If you would like your children to receive a weekly Sunday School teaching pack that you can do from home, please email us at admin@e-runnymede.co.uk so that we can send you the materials.
 

Sunday Venue at Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham


 Prophetic word for students -

Our Sunday service starts at 11.00 and typically lasts about 90 minutes.

We begin each service with lively worship, featuring songs from around the world, followed by inspiring, Bible-based teaching. All our sermons are recorded and are available as a podcast after the service.

We have a monthly cycle of Sunday services, with our Communion Service on the first Sunday of each month and an All-Age All-Nation Service on the second. Our other Sunday services include Spirit-focused and teaching services.

We have consciously adopted being a blended church, that is, both online and face-to-face. You are welcome to join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, or X, or catch up with the recordings later.
 

Joining us in person

Visiting a new and unfamiliar church for the first time can be intimidating, but we want to ensure you feel welcome and enjoy your time with us. A friendly face will be waiting to meet you at the entrance and welcome you. 

Doors open at 10:30 for coffee and prayer.
Our Sunday Service starts at 11:00 and typically runs for about 90 minutes, normally followed by tea and coffee.
 

Driving and Car Parking

Our Sunday Venue is Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham, TW20 9DR, which has ample parking. 
Click on the link for directions to RCF.

We have plenty of parking spaces right outside the building. Spaces are reserved near the entrance for anyone with mobility issues (those with a blue badge). Please let us know if you need to use one of these spaces, have any special needs, or require any assistance.

The car parking area is a public area, so please ensure that your children are under your control and that, for their safety, they do not run around in the car park.
 

Visiting with children?

Everyone is welcome at RCF. We encourage everyone, regardless of age, to join the service. We offer Sunday School, which begins after worship and runs concurrently with the sermon for 30 to 40 minutes, serving children aged 4 to 12. On the second Sunday of each month, we have a shorter All-Aged All Nations Service, where the children stay for the worship and the sermon.
 

After Church

We chat over coffee and biscuits after church on the first, third, fourth and fifth Sundays. If you want to get to know us better, why not join us for Sunday lunch with some of our members? The first meal is on us (Voucher provided).  Please contact us and let us know. We would love to share a meal and get to know you better!

Fellowship Feast  
 

Want to connect?

If you're interested in connecting with us, whether to join our online community or attend our Sunday gatherings, please use our connect card.
 

Any Questions?

If you have any questions, please review our FAQ page. Here, you’ll find answers to many common questions. If you still have questions or concerns, please contact us; we’d love to hear from you.
 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO RCF!!

 
To contact us or see a map, click here.

Our address is Virginia Lodge, Heritage Court, Egham
Virginia Lodge Ariel
13/02/2023
 
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