Wednesday, March 5, 2025

“Remember”

Rev. Dr. Ian Gray

Everyday we make many different decisions. Some are relatively easy and some are not. One of the more difficult decisions I make everyday is “Do I want to watch the news?” Do I want to get stressed out by all the terrible things that are happening in the world or do I want to remain blissfully ignorant and remain in my little bubble of peace and security?

I make this decision daily and the answer is not always the same. Some days I watch the news and some days I don’t. I feel that I have a responsibility to know what’s going on around me but I wonder how much I can handle.

In the past there was no decision to make. In my home, watching the 11:00 news at night was the last thing we did before going to bed. In a way it was a novelty to see what was going on across the city or on the other side of the world. Even my grandparents listened to the news on the radio before retiring for the evening.

Those days are over. Now there is so much bad news out there we just can’t keep up. We are overwhelmed by a world in which that which seemed impossible a short while ago is now a reality.

In the geopolitical realm, traditional alliances are changing. Old friends are becoming enemies and old enemies are becoming friends. New alliances are being formed which would have been impossible not that long ago. In Canada, we are being threatened by our good neighbour. The phrase “we stand on guard for thee” has taken on new meaning.

There is turmoil on the personal level as well. We used to live in a society in which courtesy and respect marked our conversations on all levels from the political to the personal. Even those who disagreed with us were treated with respect.

Now the powers of populism and polarization seem to be overwhelming us. Those who disagree with us are treated with disdain and even hatred. To listen to the so called debates in the houses of democratic government is like listening to young children squabbling among themselves.

Everytime we turn on the news or watch a news feed we are assaulted by the terrors of our time. We are there when more innocent victims are slaughtered. We are there when more people are living in refugee camps or on the streets of our cities. We are there when innocent children are suffering and dying because of diseases that can be treated.

As a follower of Jesus in this time, it is easy to give in to feelings of frustration, anger and even fear. There is a great temptation to throw up our hands and say, “That’s it. I’ve had enough. I don’t care what’s happening in the world because there’s nothing I can do about it.”

But there is something we can do, it is something that we have always done through the good times and the bad. We can continue to follow Jesus.

I believe that God has put me here in this world in this chaotic time and place for a reason. I am here to change lives, to show people a better way of living together and relating to others. I’m not naive enough to think that I can change the whole world but I can change a few lives by what I say and do.

As I write these words I am looking out my window at the piles of snow in my backyard. As individuals, we are like snowflakes. Each one is very beautiful but also fragile and weak. We are here only for a short time before we change into a different form.

I wonder how many snowflakes are in my backyard? Probably millions, maybe even billions. Those of us who have experienced this past winter know that billions of snowflakes together are a force to be reckoned with. They can change our lives. We can enjoy their beauty but we can also be paralyzed by them. They can prevent us from even going out our front doors.

In John 15:12 Jesus says, ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” This command that was given to Jesus’ disciples 2,000 years ago has not changed at all even though the world has. It is still given to his disciples today.

In the midst of our confusion, despair and even fear we know the way to go. Follow Jesus. We know what we are here to do. Love others, make a difference, change lives.

In these fearful times, remember who you are and why you are here. The world has never needed you more than it does right now.

Ian

Rev. Dr. Ian Gray
Co Interim Moderator