Pastoral Reflections

Our world has changed and is changing. In many respects, this isn’t new, as this is always occurring. Yet the acceleration of change is evident in almost every sector you see. Amid this season of shaking, Hebrews 12 provides us with anchored hope. In particular, verse twenty-eight.

“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28 (ESV)

While we are immensely grateful we receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken; we are not immune to the shaking of every other “kingdom” on earth. Our collective current reality is, in a single word, bumpy.

This is why it is incredibly important for us to be in a season of listening to one another. Focusing on how we can better love one another, especially in diversity, because if we have any hope of leading others to Christ, we must be formed, in a bumpy season, by the steady hand of the Holy Spirit.

At this moment, for prayerful consideration, there is a central focus we wish to highlight.

The changing centrality of home.

Much of the Scripture, in particular, the Old Testament, is about the people of God, trusting the promise of God while longing for a home.

Regarding the home, Canadians are having wide-ranging conversations regarding it. On one end of the spectrum is how it is becoming the central hub for both work and life, education and entertainment. While on the other end of the same spectrum is the issue of affordability of homeownership for many. During the pandemic, the home might have been safe for you yet dangerous for others.

In the past few years, there has been plenty of movement between Christians and the church. May are finding new home churches. For others, their home has become their Sunday place of worship. And for far too many, their searching, wounded, or rebellious hearts have found a temporary home in inferior ideologies which have made promises about affirmation and self-fulfillment that, in time, will prove futile.

Each heart, in different ways, looking for a home. When looking for a home, we often first turn to a screen. And what we know is that screens disciple. Period. Much like the centrality of home, the question isn’t if screens disciple, it is merely how. Screens have simultaneously made information inexpensive and transformation a deepening desire.

Think about this for a moment.

On our mobile phones, tablets, computers, watches, and TVs, most of us have apps which give us prophetic insight. On the same device, we can have an application which can deform us from living like Jesus and an application such as the Bible, which will form us to live more like Jesus.

These two applications live on our devices, side-by-side with one another.

We can no longer afford to divorce spiritual maturity from emotional health or Christ-like character. Our discipleship development is strong in some areas, but is it robust enough for any Canadian to find a home in Christ?

We can speak about how God desires for cities to come to church, to the House of the Lord, and God might use you, even your home, for others in your sphere of influence to experience Jesus. Yet if our hearts don’t find a consistent home in loving Jesus, Trusting Scripture, Meaningful Relationships, Engaging Purpose, and Counter-cultural mission, then the change is merely at the surface and not the deeper, fruitful change which we long to see in Canada.

These are sizeable shifts occurring in this cultural moment. This is why we are taking the time to slow down and listen before articulating where God is leading us next. The last thing we wish to do is go all in on a temporary moment or try to keep alive what God is working to prune.

Like the children of Israel, we have a promised Holy Spirit who dwells with us.

“If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25 (ESV)

Lord, help us live by and keep in step with the Spirit. Take us deeper. Teach us to hear Your voice. Form us in Your unfailing love. Anchor us to Your narrow way.

Holy Spirit, open our ears. Help us discern wisdom in noisy streets. As You speak, give us ears to hear. O God, touch our hearts. Show us Your heart in conflicts today. Show us Your way; give us hearts to follow.

Jesus, form us in Your character. Increase our hunger to be led by You. Stir our passion for living more like You. Adjust our posture to lead more to You.

Without You, nothing will ever change. With You, all things remain possible. Take us by the hand. Lead us to meet one another.

God, grant us a heart to weep with those who cry. Give us empathy and understanding. Create trust where there is wounding. Make us one.

In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen!

Pastors Jason & Lori Boucher
Lead Pastors, Lifecentre

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