Standing Up in Faith

Standing Up in Faith

Joshua 24:15     

 

                Sometimes it is difficult to serve God and to live as

Christians. In our Western culture we are not as familiar with these difficulties because we have rights and freedoms to have faith and worship God.  However we fail to realize that persecution is real in many nations. Christianity has grown in many countries even under oppression and in many cases violence. Yet here in Canada our secular society seems to be growing stronger and so we must ask why? Where is our faith and whom do many Canadians serve?

                In Canada this week, the Members of Parliament were warned by many church leaders to keep their hands off the law prohibiting the disruption of a religious service. Bill C-51 is the work of the Commons justice committee whose task is to clean up the Criminal Code by removing sections that are outdated or redundant. Yet, the Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada and the B’nai Brith Canada groups are urging this group to keep the section which makes it illegal to “obstruct a clergyman or minister from celebrating divine service or to wilfully disrupt an assemblage of persons met for religious worship or for a moral, social or benevolent purpose.” It has been decided that this section will remain but with updated language so that it will clearly capture all forms of religious and spiritual services.  (Windsor Star, Nov 10,2017 p.NP3)      But what if these groups did not raise concerns? Would it make a difference for our churches and laws? Would it make a difference to you?

                Joshua asked the people who entered the Promised Land whom they would serve. He stated that he and his household would serve the Lord God. Joshua told the people that they had to choose God or the gods of the people of the land in which they now lived. He told them to make a decision and stick with it. They chose to serve God who had been with them for generations as they had left slavery in Egypt to a time of coming into their own land and life.

                Whom do you serve? Are you living life with the need to acquire possessions and money or real estate and stuff? Or are you living life knowing that God’s grace is a blessing and a gift and that God will take care of you for all of eternity if you believe? Do you know God? Joshua’s question is so relevant today when we are unsure of whom to follow, believe and trust. Whom do you serve?

PRAYER

God of love we serve you in faith and with hope so that we might know you and trust you to care for us each day of our lives. Help us to grow in understanding of who you are and who you want us to be and become. Bless us we pray as we continue to live and serve you. Amen.