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Imagine life without Jesus. Seriously, try. 

I had occasion to chat with some teen boys in December that left a deep and lasting impression. They had come to Central for Christmas dinner – the one organized for the community by Dave and Barb Rogelstad. The amount of work that went in to pulling that off was astounding. Dave and his team not only source and serve dinner, but gathered donations and gifts from Brantford businesses for our guests, did the set up and clean up, handled invitations and co-ordinated with social services folks. 

Remarkable. 

I’ve talked to Dave about this. The idea behind the enormous effort, is to show Christ’s love, to plant seeds in hearts, to be gentle and giving to people in difficult circumstances. In other words, to shine light into the darkness. 

Anyway, back to the teens. 

They were friendly and cheerful and open. 

I suspect in day-to-day life they would be more guarded. But here they seemed relaxed, and I think that had a great deal to do with the immediate environment. 

They were welcomed, there was nothing asked of them. They were cheerfully served a full dinner, and dessert. There was ice cream, candy canes, and the promise of a parting gift. People smiled at them and engaged with them, served them. They had been made aware that the congregation would welcome them again should they want to return some Sunday morning. 

Imagine life without Jesus. 

As we stood off to one side after dinner and chatted, I became aware that in their day-to-day world casual violence seemed to be the norm. It was just a thing that one suffered or engaged in depending on the circumstances. 

I asked about school, where did they attend. One young man, without blinking an eye, told me he was unable to go to school because he was under a restraining order to keep a certain distance from another student. He didn’t take this as a point of pride or embarrassment. It was just what was. 

In their world, the phrase “Jesus Christ” is simply an expression of dismay or surprise. It carries no other meaning. Life is defined by the passions of the moment. Restraint, like every other behaviour, is employed only when it serves the self. 

Like all human beings, deep down they were, to quote C. S. Lewis, “a bundle of self-centred fears, hopes, greeds, jealousies and self-conceit.” And they live in a world where the spirit of the age, the zeitgeist, roars around them in a vortex of confusion, twisted messages, and self-centred appeals to keep them blind to Truth. 

I became profoundly aware talking to them that, but for our Lord, there go I. 

Imagine life without Jesus. 

There is no peace. No assurance you are loved. No eternal hope. There is no light in the darkness. 

I gather from today’s pervasive social media, that “do what you will,” is the mantra of society, and that the highest good is achieving, regardless of cost, an unbroken string of worldly success. 

Imagine life without Jesus. 

Back in 1952, when his father was dying, the Welsh poet Dylan Thomas wrote: “Do not go gentle into that good night … rage, rage against the dying of the light.” 

When I consider his lines I am tempted to despair, to rage against the dying of the light in the world today. 

But I would be wrong. It is a false premise. The Light is not dying. In fact, “the light shines in darkness, and the darkness cannot overcome it.” John 1:5. 

Will one of those teens dare to come to church one day. Maybe, maybe not. But I know this, the folks serving dinner and smiling let their light shine before others. And that memory is a seed, it is something God can work with to counter the darkness surrounding them. 

Allow me a commercial break as a member of the Missions Committee. 

As we approach the Missions Weekend, May 4 and 5, you will encounter a strong focus on local missions. You’ll hear from members of community organizations the committee has researched and connected with. 

What they do is help people in the name of Jesus; meet them where they are. That’s what shining a light for Christ looks like, and where trust in God enters our efforts to win souls. 

“And I will lead the blind

in a way that they do not know,

in paths that they have not known

I will guide them.

I will turn the darkness before them into light,

the rough places into level ground.

These are the things I do,

and I do not forsake them.”

Isaiah 42:16 (ESV) 

So here is the challenge: 

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

It’s early on a Saturday morning in February. I don’t tend to enjoy having to be somewhere early on a Saturday morning. My preference is to sleep in a little and do some quiet reading. But on this particular Saturday morning, I have to be at Bethel Reformed Church on West Street by 7:45 am and I’m even looking forward to it. 

I park and walk into the building right on time. As I enter the large multi-purpose room where I shared breakfast with this group the year before, I rehearse a mental checklist to make sure I brought all my tools. I have my computer, adaptor cords to connect to the TV, my Bible (it’s actually an e-reader this year … I hope it doesn’t glitch), and I remember my planned topic of conversation: “His grace toward me” from 1 Corinthians 15:10. 

Entering the room, I see the familiar faces of John (the father of an old friend) and a new-ish friend of mine, Dave Van Kooten (Director of Mentorship for Organized Kaos). We greet each other and Dave introduces several others who have also arrived early. The Organized Kaos Mentors Breakfast doesn’t start for 15 more minutes, but people who work in the trades are often early risers. 

I set up my computer, sit down at a table, and start to talk shop with several of these Organized Kaos mentors. One of them, who remembers from the previous year that I’m a licensed Tool and Die Maker, shows me an intricately machined metal coupling—its specific use is classified. We talk about it.  

As twenty-or-so mentors trickle in and find their seats around the tables, we all settle into each others’ company. There is a level of understanding between me and them, as tradesmen, that these mentors don’t always have with pastors. We pray over breakfast, eat as we talk, and then hear some news and updates from Shawn Stuart (Executive Director/Founder at Organized Kaos) and Dave, the in-house pastor for Organized Kaos. Then it’s my turn to stand at the front of the room. 

I know that these mentors care about their students. They teach them trades as a way to show them Jesus and I want to encourage them. So, after I introduce myself to the group, we begin by reading from 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain.” After explaining the meaning of grace as help I don’t deserve, I ask,  “How has this help felt for you?” We talk. I ask, “What difference has this help made to you?” We talk again. I explain Paul’s openness to the churches about the forgiveness he experienced (he persecuted the churches, 1 Cor. 15:9), about meeting Jesus (1 Cor. 15:8), and about his life’s work with God (1 Cor. 15:10-11). They see how their students need to hear this from someone who understands them—someone like a fellow tradesman. We talk some more before it’s time to go. 

I hope I can encourage them again next year. I love that we at Central support this ministry. We have mentors from our church family serving in Organized Kaos and we’ll get to hear from Dave Van Kooten as our speaker at the Missions Weekend on May 4th and 5th. 

We often think of the call to missions as a long-distance call, but it always starts with a local call. Organized Kaos is one of those local calls for us at Central (www.organizedkaos.org).  

Writing about every Christian’s role in missions, John Piper said, “There are three possibilities. They can be goers, senders, or disobedient” (Brothers, We are Not Professionals, 196).  

Jesus’ words in the Gospel of John are even more clear, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21).  

Central family, the question isn’t if God is sending you, it’s where.  

And now is the perfect time to start figuring that out. 

I have previously told of some of my adventures while we were living in Northern BC. As much as I enjoyed the beauty of where we lived, we didn’t move from Ontario to Hudson’s Hope to admire the scenery, even though we were surrounded by it! We went to minister to the people of that town. People are people no matter where they live. Places like Hudson’s Hope exist because of Hydro, logging and ranching interests. I met a few who had moved there because it was at the end of the world or close by!

We had a difficult time in the end before we finally returned to Ontario. However, during that time we sought to continue to minister as much as possible and to live above our circumstances. I was working at a gas station and got to know a number of people. Men like Jim who was a rancher and a truck driver. We became acquainted and after a time he said that he would teach me how to drive if I got my air brake certificate. Much to Jim’s surprise, I told him one day that I was ready to drive truck. He was stunned but the next time he stopped for fuel he told me to be ready to go trucking!

It was a winter afternoon when he pulled up at my door and I jumped into his truck. We set out to Chetwynd where there was a pulp mill. I was to drive the truck home because it was much easier empty. So, on the first trip, he set the ground rules. He knew I was a minister, so he warned me “No preaching!” I said fine. A few minutes later he started telling me what his beliefs were (which were an interesting amalgamation of several ideas). Then a while later he said, “So what do you believe?” Well, talk about a wide-open door! So, I went through it and succinctly shared with him the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I would like to say that Jim came to know Jesus, but I can’t and as the winter logging season gave way to spring, Jim stopped trucking for the most part and I eventually lost contact with him. That summer we returned to Ontario.

As churchgoers, we often tend to pigeonhole people. We have pastors, evangelists, missionaries, and laymen, to name a few. The reality as committed followers of Jesus Christ we are all participants in His mission. Jesus said: “I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God…for I was sent for this purpose” (Luke 4:43). In another place He tells His disciples: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34) Mission work belongs to all of us.

I often remember one of the first Christian songs I learned back in Scotland: “Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have, I give unto thee. In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk!” It came from the story of the early ministry of Peter, Acts 3:1-10. As Peter and John were at the temple, they met a beggar who was seeking alms from them. Peter had nothing to give, such as was the circumstances of the early believers, but he had the Good News and he ministered to the man in a miraculous manner.  Now you and I might not be able to heal someone like Peter did, but we can share the Good News with people that we meet. Turn negative circumstances into positive allowing God to use you no matter where you find yourself.

Learn how to share your testimony in a minute or less. Memorize some key Bible verses that will help turn someone’s attention to the Word of God. Jesus will use you wherever you are.

Several weeks ago an article I wrote was posted on Central Challenge entitled “Buried Treasure.” There were words in the beginning of the article that did not belong to me, particularly in the second paragraph. 

I should have put the bulk of these words in quotations but I did not. I knowingly passed them on as if they were mine. 

This is plagiarism, which is using someone else’s words without proper citation. 

I am truly sorry for this and I have gone to the Lord with a repentant heart. 

I am not attempting to beat myself up publicly but I do want you to know that there is good news to this story. 

My post was published on Thursday, Feb. 29, and the next day I received a call from Pastor Lars who indicated that a portion of my article was in question. 

I knew I was guilty but during the conversation, I attempted to camouflage and disclaim my sin of cheating. In short, I denied it. 

During the remainder of Friday and through the early hours of Saturday morning there was a spiritual battle going on within me. Should I “ride it out” I reasoned, and maybe my actions will be forgotten or should I confess my sin and accept the consequences that may follow? 

As the hours passed, I was increasingly under the conviction of the Holy Spirit and through the Holy Spirit I began to desire a spirit of repentance and a mourning over my sin. 

I am grateful that the Apostle Paul under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit wrote Galatians 5:17 “For the desire of the flesh is against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, in order to keep you from doing whatever you want.” 

I wanted to meet with Pastor Lars as soon as possible and later that day we were able to do so. Lars could see that I was under some stress. As you would expect, he was concerned for my well being and offered gentle counselling, advice and prayer. 

Through all of this, two brothers in Christ experienced in a wonderful way God’s limitless grace and mercy, upon the life of a repentant soul. 

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firm to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things just as we are, yet without sin: Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.” Heb. 4: 14-16.

Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan (Matt 4:1-11). The people of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years.
What is your wilderness?
Your wilderness may look like a prodigal child, a cancer diagnosis, a divorce, prolonged mental health challenges, or the loss of your best friend. The circumstances of our wildernesses may look different, and the crisis of our hearts may hurt to various degrees. Thankfully, the Bible gives us hope for our time in the wilderness.
The first two chapters of Deuteronomy recap the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to where they were – just about to cross into the land God had promised them. As I read these chapters a few days ago, I thought, “This is easy reading; just review. I know this story.” God stopped me in my tracks, per se, and I sat in awe of God’s goodness, as revealed in those two chapters.
Though familiar, the story took on a new, fresh, and exciting meaning as my focus shifted from the struggle of the wilderness to God’s incredible strength, provision, and protection. I got to thinking of how many of us are walking (or perhaps have walked) through wilderness seasons of our lives. What is true of God, the LORD, the Great I AM in the days of Moses, is true of God today!

Here are a few of the characteristics of God that His Spirit brought to my attention as I read these chapters.

1. God is faithful to His promises (Deut. 1:8). All these years later, God had not forgotten His promise to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob (Gen. 17:1-8). He would give them possession of this land and make them a great nation (Deut. 1:8,10).
2. God goes before His children (Deut. 1:30). The Israelites had complained, rebelled, responded in fear, and even talked of desiring to go back to Egypt where they had been slaves (Deut. 1:26-28). They had forgotten that the Lord went before them. He had led them and been with them every step of the way!
3. God fights for His children (Deut. 1:30). How had the people been freed from the Egyptians? God fought for their freedom. He had done amazing, incredible things before their very eyes! He was their Freedom Fighter and ultimate Deliverer.
4. God carries His children (Deut.1:30). What a picture of tender care and compassion. “The Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place.” We don’t have to drag ourselves through the wilderness. In our weakest moments, God’s power is most brilliantly displayed (2 Cor. 12:9).
5. God has a purpose for all the detours, climbs, circles and stumbles (Deut. 2:1-2). Moses says, “For many days, we travelled around Mount Seir.” They were literally walking in circles! Sound familiar and relatable?
6. God is the source of all blessings (Deut. 2:7). Although we may do the work with our hands, God is the One who gives us strength and provides all we need in the wilderness.
7. God knows our paths/journeys (Deut. 2:7). Not a single part of our stories surprises God. He knows what every chapter of our lives holds (Ps. 139:1-18).
8. God is with His children (Deut. 2:7). Those forty years, God had been with the Israelites. Whatever “your forty” (as Pastor Jeremy has said lately) looks like, God is with you too.
9. God knows what we need when we need it and is able to provide it (Deut. 2:7). The end of this verse says plainly, “You have lacked nothing.”
10. God provides victory over our enemies (Deut. 2:33,36). One kingdom at a time, following the Lord’s leading, the Israelites were having victory over powerful kings and nations. “The LORD our God gave all into our hands” (Deut. 2:36b).

You know your circumstances, and you know the crisis of your heart. How will you choose to respond? Will you choose to trust the Lord in your wilderness? We can’t trust someone we don’t know. But God reveals Who He is in the pages of Scripture. This is one of many passages we can look to and see God’s heart and character. Our hearts are drawn to Him as we marinate our minds on His goodness, faithfulness, and love. His perfect love (and God is the only one who loves us perfectly) casts out all fear (1 Jn. 4:18). There is no one like our God. I pray that His Word will encourage you and His Spirit will empower you to choose a Christ-like response.
Challenge: Read a passage of Scripture and note what you learn about God’s heart and character. Share these eternal truths with a friend! Psalm 34, John 1, or Ephesians 1 could be good places to start.