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Dave asked us this question. “If you could change something in your life, what is it, and why?” Each Monday I attend the Men’s Coffee hour. A few of us gather together in the Church Café to talk and sing songs while enjoying a cup of coffee, or a cup of juice if you prefer. 

When Dave posed the question for our group, I immediately thought of my accident and how my life had changed. 

It was Wednesday, November 9, 1988, and I was a happily married man. I had a wonderful wife and an eighteen month old baby girl. 

On a night I will never forget, I was walking along the shoulder of the road to my parent’s place, who lived just down the street. It was about nine o’clock when my life took a turn for the worse. 

A drunk driver was speeding behind me; his passenger mirror connected with my head and turned my life upside-down. The impact threw me into an adjacent field and I was knocked unconscious. 

The next thing I knew, I was in the emergency ward lying on a hospital bed watching my wife walking away from me, so I called out to her. 

You could have heard a pin drop. 

Everybody in that room stopped what they were doing. Apparently, since the accident, I had been repeating the same three things, over and over and over again. “What happened? Where am I? What time is it?” I was told I kept asking those questions non-stop. 

Apparently, I had lost twelve hours from my memory. 

Confused, I called out to Vicky before she left the room. I needed to make sense of my present situation. I was lying on a hospital bed with a nurse and a doctor standing behind me, repairing a gash in my head. What happened? 

Vicky came back to my side and told me I had been in a car accident. She and my dad drove up here while my mother stayed at our house to watch our daughter. Unfortunately, Vicky said she had to leave. Dad had to go and get some sleep because he had to work in the morning. Vicky left reassuring me that she would see me in the morning. 

When the doctor on-call finished closing up the split in my head, he asked me a few questions. From his assessment, he determined I could be discharged that morning. Instead of admitting me they placed a few staples in my head and sent me home. 

That first night home, Vicky and I, along with my parents, were sitting in the living room, discussing the events of the accident when we heard a knock on our front door. 

We were greeted by two gentlemen from Central Baptist Church, who were canvasing the area. They introduce themselves as Walter Vankruistum and Wayne Warner and they asked if we had ever considered going to church. 

With all that had happened, I wanted to hear more, so I asked if they would return in a week. I explained I had been in an accident and needed a bit of time. They agreed and we were looking forward to it. 

When I was a child, I attended Rawdon Street Baptist Church. As I grew up, I went from going to church occasionally to not at all. I had given up on God, but He didn’t give up on me. 

I believe on November 9, God was with me because I had just experienced a miracle. 

Keeping their promise, Walter and Wayne returned. We invited them in and we talked. In Luke 19:10 you read, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (NIV). I don’t remember what we talked about but it was enough to convince us to start attending Central. 

The question was, “If I could change something in my life, what would it be, and why?” Looking back, my first thought was the car accident, but the end result was turning to Jesus. 

So, I guess my answer would be “I wouldn’t change anything.” 

We now have God in our lives and that is the best thing that ever happened to us. Thank you Jesus for saving a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found. Almost blind, but now I see.

As believers in a sin-cursed world, we desire healing, rest, peaceful relationships, and unity – can’t we all just get along since we love Jesus?  However, during our struggle, suffering or conflict, we often resist the steps to get to that place of peace or become impatient along the way. This desire to be free of conflict and suffering comes up in conversations I have from time to time. I talk to believers who want to be free of suffering, addictive behaviours, disease, waiting for a prodigal to return, restoration of family relationships, etc. They want all the unknowns to be revealed and for Jesus to make all things right, right now!  
Life experience and science tell us that healing and restoration do not happen overnight. Anyone who’s broken a bone knows healing is a process. And healing has a starting point.  While desiring and hoping for good outcomes may be motivators, they do not bring change. Whether physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, healing begins with a decision to do things (or respond to things) differently. As for the broken bone – healing starts with submitting to the wisdom of the physician. The healing of broken family relationships, addictions, mental health struggles, etc., also begins with a deliberate choice to submit to the wisdom of God, godly counsellors and professionals He places in our lives.   
You may be wondering what honesty and humility have to do with this. As I reflect back on my recovery from anorexia, the first and largest hurdle was to be honest with myself, others and God that I had a problem. That was not easy! I had lived for years, convincing myself that I was okay, I had this under control, I was “eating healthy,” and I was fine. Pride kept me stuck here for years. Thankfully (and yes, I genuinely am thankful), God humbled me and brought me to such a low place that I had to get honest about what was happening. Admitting my need for help and acknowledging that food rules controlled me was the first step, followed shortly after by admitting this need to family members and trusted friends. Being honest with myself, God, and others was anything but easy, but it was the first step toward healing. Psalm 32:1-5 is one passage that speaks to the healing found when God’s people respond in honesty to God.  
Next came humility. Let’s be honest about this term — humility is not something revered in our society. Our social media feeds are full of messages encouraging us to blaze our own trails and to do what seems right and best for us. If you can dream it, do it! And as Frank Sinatra taught us long before social media, we can do it our way. Our culture has become individualistic. Looking out for number one and pushing to get things done “our way or the highway” is fuelled by pride. There is little consideration as to how our actions hurt others, and even if that crosses our minds, we often just don’t care. We do what we do because we want what we want. And we are willing to do whatever it costs to get it done.  
Recovery from a mental health struggle, victory over a sinful pattern of behaviour, or the mending of broken relationships is stunted by pride. I had to humbly admit I needed care, wisdom from others who were experts, and prayer – I needed help. Someone wisely told me – if you could fix this, you would have already done so. She was so right! I had tried to fix this, to get it under control for years, but to no avail. The more I tried to work things out on my own, the worse things became. Most importantly, Scripture teaches that God gives grace (the ability to change empowered by His Spirit) to the humble (James 4:6). One who is humble is able to receive help and wisdom from God and others. God is near to and revives the hearts of the lowly (Isa 57:15).   
Honesty and humility soften our hearts, allow us to invite God into our struggles and give us the ability to recognize His gentle guidance throughout the ups and downs we encounter. He promises to be with us, and knowing He is with us, we can take the next step without fear (Ps 23:4, 1 Jn 4:18). When we humbly recognize His sovereign care and love for us, our faith grows, and we find the courage to behave and live differently. Admitting our need for help is not a sign of weakness but of true courage and strength.   
One of the blessings of God’s gracious gift of salvation is that when we confess our sin and accept Jesus as our Saviour, we become children of God (Jn 1:12; Gal 4:4-7; 1 Jn 3:1).  We are adopted and, as adopted children, have all the rights of sons and daughters of God. Do you know what that means? WE ARE A FAMILY!  A family shares the burdens of life. Family members are open and honest with each other about their sins and can rejoice together when they experience victory (in and because of Jesus). God designed us to need others; we will not thrive in isolation. We are made for community, and in relationships with other brothers and sisters in Christ, we “stir up one another to love and good works” (Heb 10:24).    
Psalm 23:3a says, “He restores my soul.”  Ultimately, there is no healing (physically, mentally or emotionally) and no restoration apart from complete surrender to the loving leadership of our Good Shepherd.  “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.” (Zech 4:6b) 

Now that Christmas 2024 has been packed away and New Year 2025 is upon us, one Christmas from many years ago still stands out in my mind. My world was so different then. 

It was the Christmas of 1975. 

I flew to Canada to be with my family for Christmas. It was a great adventure. The plane was delayed for over 13 hours but there were a number of young people my age so we had fun. When I finally arrived in chilly Brantford everything was so different to me. My folks had a colour TV! All those game shows and WHA hockey, it was a new world. At the mall (which I hadn’t experienced) pay phones didn’t need to be fed every couple of minutes. 

It had been a different Christmas, but as I got off the plane at the old Prestwick Airport, back in Scotland, 1976 seemed to be just like any other year. Happy New Year, whatever! 

As the dreary winter gradually gave way to spring, I was rummaging in the attic and found a box with some items left by a family friend. They included a Living Bible, The Cross and The Switchblade and a beautifully written presentation of the Christian life. 

As I read the book, I came to realize that though I wasn’t a drug addict my life was lost and I needed Jesus. The tract explained my need and how to believe on Jesus for salvation. I still remember the evening that I confessed my sins and received Christ as my Saviour! I was never the same. I read my Bible and couldn’t wait to go to church. I learned what it was like to be a new creation! 

As I look back on that holiday season of so long ago, I now see things so differently. We don’t know what is ahead. We can make our resolutions but as we change our calendars and set up our new Day Timers (or the digital equivalent) do we include the one thing that will make the difference to each of us this year? 

As I continue to study the Bible, I am continually amazed at how the sovereignty of God works in our lives. He is working His will for each of us personally. As I continue to grow in my faith, I am less afraid to acknowledge His divine will and am more willing to rest in the knowledge that “if God is for us, who can be against us?” (Rom.8:31) 

I have been studying the Psalms recently and this theme constantly appears. “Whatsoever the LORD pleases, he does in heaven and in earth” (Ps 135:6). ”But it is God who executes judgment, putting down one and lifting up another” (Ps 75:7). Even the beloved Psalm 23 is filled with allusions to God’s sovereign care for us: “He makes me lie down…He leads me…He restores my soul… He leads me in paths of righteousness.” All of these promises and so much more assure us as we look ahead into 2025 that nothing will take God by surprise and that He will care for us. As Paul said: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Rom.8:28) 

As I still fondly remember that Christmas holiday so many years past, I remember how that my life changed so wonderfully only a few weeks later. For each of us this year will be different, but let us together trust in our God to see how He works to His glory!

Let’s test your focus. Try reading this aloud: 

Maybe you didn’t think that was so hard. How about this? 

.dlrow gnisufnoc dna desufnoc siht no sucof ot drah s’tI 

Most of us would have to focus a little harder than usual to read those lines out loud. I know I had to focus pretty hard typing them. 

Have you noticed how difficult it can be to maintain focus these days? I just did an online typing speed test and found that I can type about 50 words per minute (40-60 is average according to Google). So I should have been able to type this 700-word column in about fourteen minutes, except that I’m easily distracted and often unfocused (as evidenced by my taking an online typing speed test just now). 

Are you finding the same is true about you? 

It takes effort to receive words and process their meaning — whether we’re talking about written or spoken words. It takes focus. 

How many words do you think you’ve processed today? How about this past week, month, or year? Even if you don’t take in all the news, engage in numerous daily conversations, or wander through the endless scroll of social media or internet content, there’s still a lot to process. Would you say that you were focused enough to process all of those words well? 

It’s hard to focus in this confused and confusing world. 

The magnitude of the content is enough to confuse us. But even when we are focused enough to process the content’s meaning, there are many things that still unsettle us or leave us uncertain. We’re left with a sense of loose threads or frayed edges. We hear the words but wonder how they connect or why there is no sense of wholeness in their meaning. 

We receive violent words and wonder, “Why is there so much hate?” 

We encounter desperate pleas and ask, “How can poverty be so widespread?” 

We are exposed to irreconcilable opinions and try to discern, “Which voices should I trust?” 

We check our numerous forms of communication and yet inquire, “Why is the most connected society in history struggling so deeply with loneliness?” 

These are real and complex problems, yet God is gracious to keep things simple for us if we listen to him. He tells us to love him “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and he tells us to “love your neighbour as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). This is our focus: love God and others. 

So what does it look like to focus on following Jesus in a confused and confusing world? 

Paul says that we are God’s “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). God has prepared good things for you to do and they may be different than the good things he’s prepared for me. We can each focus on the good things he’s prepared for us as we love our neighbours. Our good works may look as different as our neighbours are different. 

Paul charges Timothy, his younger pastoral protege, to “fulfill your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). God had set a task before Timothy that was different than Paul’s. This is what Paul was talking 

about when he told us to each do our part in the church so that the church “builds itself up in love” (Ephesians 4:11-16). Will we focus on what God has given each of us to do? 

Sometimes we get distracted by the confusion around us, but we will never get lost if we follow Jesus through the smoke and mirrors. The one thing we should focus on is following Jesus, “forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, [we] press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). 

It’s hard to focus in this confused and confusing world. 

So here’s our first Challenge of the year, Central: together, and individually, let’s focus on following Jesus.

He was crying. That’s what caught my attention. I was about to make a quick stop at the grocery store with a van full of kids when I saw him limping like a wounded bear down the sidewalk. It looked serious — he looked hurt. 

I voiced my concern as I pulled into the parking lot and found a spot near where he was headed. I got out to ask the young man if he was alright and he said he wasn’t. His crying slowed as we talked but he wasn’t very coherent. He showed me an awful gaping wound on his knee and claimed he was “going septic” head-to-toe. We were standing two blocks from the hospital—it was visible over the houses behind him as he spoke. 

“Brother,” I said, “you need to go to the hospital.” 

“No-o-o,” he whined as if I’d told him to go to his room, “Brother, they won’t help me there. They want me to sit and wait … they don’t understand … they won’t help me.” 

“You need to get that taken care of,” I urged, “and they can help you.” 

“Brother,” he retorted, “I’m not walking over there … I know they won’t help me.” 

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said. I didn’t know what else to say. 

He turned away from me and continued hobbling down the sidewalk away from the hospital. I got back in the van and my kids started asking questions. 

“His knee is hurt pretty badly,” I explained, “I told him that he should go to the hospital but he won’t. He doesn’t think they’ll help him.” 

One of my kids asked, “Is he going to be OK?” 

“I don’t know,” was the only honest response I could give. 

Then I went into the grocery store. I wondered how far he could walk on that knee. I was shocked by the discordant notes of the past few minutes — from jokes with my kids to this unsettling interaction and then to buying a rotisserie chicken for dinner. It felt choppy like the crying man’s limp. I found it difficult to process. 

That’s a bit like how the story feels in Luke 2:1-7. 

Limp: the pagan rulers dictate a census to their conquered subjects. 

Limp: betrothed Joseph and pregnant Mary have to make an unplanned days-long walk to Bethlehem. 

Limp: Jesus is born homeless with a feeding trough for a cradle. 

It’s choppy, unsettling, and difficult to process. 

How much of our lives reflect this dissonance? Whether it’s shoppers griping while cheery music plays, bright lights mocking our low spirits, or good news falling on deaf ears, we all tend to limp and cry through the discordant brokenness in our world. At Christmas, we are reminded that Jesus entered our difficult-to-process world to heal our limps and dry our tears. 

I walked back to the van struggling to make sense of the last few minutes and I wondered how God might make music from such sad and halting noise. As I settled into the seat, I looked at my kids in the mirror. 

“That was a hard situation,” I said, “And now it feels like we’re supposed to go on with life as if it didn’t happen. That’s really strange. Let’s talk to God about it.” 

So we prayed for the crying man with the limp. We don’t know what God will do with him, but we do know what God did with the halting story of Jesus’s birth. God sent an angel to reveal the rhythm behind the discord (Luke 2:10-12): 

“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’” 

It makes me smile to see that even the feeding trough was an essential note in God’s song. And God sent angels to sing the chaos into music for us (Luke 2:14): 

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 

When it’s hard to hear the sense of his music, that’s when we need to listen to Jesus most carefully. He wept and was wounded so that one day we’ll never cry or limp again. 

Here’s your Christmas challenge, Central: listen carefully to Jesus, even when the music of this life sounds like noise. Our Jesus turns cacophony into a symphony.