July 2nd, 2021: Living in Tension

 

Sometimes I wonder how long we have to apologize for the mistakes that we didn't commit personally. How much more do we have to pay for the very same mistakes? Somehow we are going through a time when some people manipulate us to feel ashamed of something we didn't do. I struggle with these thoughts because I don't want to be unkind. However, what is wrong with working to take care of our own needs when we can. What is wrong with trying to grow and improve ourselves with time as things continue to change? Culture and Heritage are not static realities. They are a continuum between growing with others and developing oneself. By the way, our cultures and our heritages are not free from human brokenness. We need to be careful about knowing the differences between treasuring something and worshiping it.


We can be reflective about different aspects of the history of our nation. We can discuss and reason with one another about the good, the bad, and the ugly of that history. As we learn together, we might be able to make our decisions about the future. Being solemn and being ashamed is not the same thing. Many things that happened in our nation have become the focus of our soul-searching time. Our hearts can be in pain, but we don't have to be ashamed.


I am baffled by the call to cancel everything about Canada. We won't have the courage to correct what is wrong if we don't have the freedom to celebrate what is beautiful. To say that there is nothing about Canada that we can cherish is a big lie. It might be a bigger lie than believing that we didn't mistreat aboriginal people. Some people have purposely created a spirit of confusion with the hope gain an advantage for their mandate. We need to be wise about discerning the truth. We should not get caught up with what is fashionable. Compassion is sacrificial, not fashionable. The truth is none of us is without sin.


As a Christian, I also have to face my own set of challenges. Learning how to live in this world meaningfully while knowing I am not supposed to belong to it. To know that my desire to pursue life with excellence doesn't imply that I don't need God. To be willing to acknowledge my sinful condition before condemning others' sins. To accept God's forgiveness while forgiving others.


I find myself living in tension all the time.


Romans 12: 12

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."


Colossians 2: 8

"See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ."


Ephesians 5: 11

"Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."

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