Sept 10th, 2020: Keep Going
Some years ago, a political party asked
me to consider running for office under their banner. I thought about it long and hard and decided that it is not my calling to run for a public
office position. It was intriguing at the time because I was thinking
about making a change in my life. I admire good people who want to serve
in that capacity because it can be taxing to both personal and family
life.
The reasons behind my
decision have a lot to do with my commitment to both personal ministries
and simplicity. During that time, God reminded me that I should not be
distracted from the calling that I have received.
It
has a lot to do with people in the business. The market place needs a
healing presence. It cries for meaningful conversations about the simple
message of Jesus, not a simplistic one. It is not a simplistic one
because it will demand transformation in the lives of those who want to
embrace it. It is simple because it addresses the brokenness of humanity
and our needs for forgiveness.
I
sat and listened to an inmate before the authority moved him to another
facility. He talked about his terrible act that took the life of
someone. He just needed to clear the burden of his soul. He asked me
during our time together whether God would forgive him. I told him that
God would forgive him if he asks for it. However, that doesn't t mean
that he does not have to face the consequences of his action. He will
need to enter the darkness of his soul before he can experience the
light. God will walk with him. Forgiveness and transformation go hand in
hand.
A client of mine lost his
share in business because of the crooked maneuver by his partner. He was
devastated. A trusted relationship was lost. He was beside himself and
just wanted to get back at his partner. He ended up moving to another
province and started a new business. We had many conversations, and he
met the living Christ soon after moving to his new place. He no longer
uses colourful language. He is now content to run a home renovation
business. He cares about his clients and the people who work with him.
He is at peace with where he is at in life.
"What
keeps you going?", an engineer asked me last week. The answer is quite
simple. I believe in God's love for me and many others whom I meet. He
also has more in store for all of us than we know. Covid-19 has also
opened the door for many people to search for the real meaning of life
when nothing else seems to make sense. This engineer just lost his job
the day before I met him. Sometimes we need to be naked to be dressed by
the mercy of God.
Psalm 18: 28
"You, LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."