Guest blogger Anna Varga: New Hope

When I think back to when I was a little girl, I think about all the fun things that I used to do, like going to Canada's Wonderland, or camping. I also remember being so excited for the future. Staying up late, hanging out with friends, dancing and singing more than ever. One thing I truly wanted to do when I got older was to be a counsellor at my favourite overnight camp. I wanted to teach kids about God's love just like they did for me! 

So last year when I spent my first summer working at Willow Springs Camp I was overjoyed to be a part of the secret service team working in the kitchen, and in skills. I also had hopes that the following summer I might get the opportunity to be a counsellor, something I had dreamed about for a long time. Sure enough, this year I was hired to be a junior counsellor and programmers assistant for the whole summer! I could not have been happier. I knew exactly what my summer was going to look like. It was like a dream!

But then, life hit a few bumps, and somehow we've all ended up in quarantine. Back in March I had high hopes for the summer. I had trusted that God would get us all where we needed to be to make camp happen normally. It came to April and I still had faith for camp this summer. Near the end of April, things still had not changed and I had high hopes that even if camp might be slightly different it would still be camp. 

During this time, it seemed no one had answers to anything, what summer would look like or school in the fall! So I went to the person I knew I could trust the most. I went to God and I asked for some guidance. The truth is I didn’t get a yes or no answer from Him, but what I got was new hope. I knew deep down that my summer wasn’t going to be what I wanted, but I came to know that whatever it was going to be was what God had intended for me. 

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not unseen.” 
Hebrews 11:1

So, in May when they announced that all overnight camps would not be happening, I was crushed. Even though I knew it was coming I was still so sad. The wonderful team that would have led me this summer reminded me that it’s okay to be sad, and to mourn. Jesus wants us to mourn and take comfort in Him, so that’s what I did. I took time to be sad. To think about all the things I had missed and was going to miss. But, what makes me get up for another day of online school and life, is the hope that God has good things in store for me. God works in mysterious ways. When I feel like doors keep getting slammed in my face, God opens another door, and all I need to do is have enough faith to walk through it. 

“The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” 
Psalm 34:18

Still today I have no idea what my plans are, and I know there will probably be more disappointments ahead in this crazy time. But, what I am absolutely sure is that good things are coming, even if I don’t see it. God has a plan for each and everyone of us, we just need to trust in Him. Moving forward, I’m not going to be scared for the unknown, but instead be excited! Trust in the Lord, for He knows what we need. 

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

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Anna Varga is a high school student at Wexford Collegiate. She is a talented singer, dancer, actor, and writer. She is an active member of the Amberlea youth group.

Haunted

I am haunted by his words, “I can’t breathe” and his chilling plea to “Mama”.

If you are unaware of what I speak, check out any news article regarding George Floyd.  

The issue is about race, authority, the lack of mercy, the absence of grace.  Of course, it is about more than that, but as I reflect on Pentecost Sunday it is clear that the world has turned upside down and this must grieve the Father’s heart.

I chose purposely not to preach on this matter on Sunday.  The world has been inundated with comments and opinions about the matter. People are talking about “white privilege”, “racism”, “justice” and the like. I didn’t want to speak about any of that. 

I could tell you about how my heart broke as a mother, hearing a grown man call out “Mama”.

I could tell you about the racism shown to my immigrant parents, in the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s (dare I go on?)  right here in Canada.

I could tell you about my own experience of racism as the only Indian girl in her public school and high school.

I could tell you how demeaning people can be because you are not the “right” gender for a particular job, or how offensive it is for others to presume they know you because they once ate in an Indian restaurant.

I don’t want to speak about any of that.

Rather, I want to speak about Jesus.  

I want to speak about how we, as followers of Jesus, are called to be and live.

Here’s the thing. God’s promises are as true today as they have ever been.  In the midst of a pandemic, in the midst of racial bigotry, in the midst of cancer diagnoses, failing marriages and financial upheaval, God was there. And God is still here.

This God, this very present God, is the same God that demonstrated a love so complete and so unconditional that He sent his son, Jesus, to die on the cross on our behalf.  Jesus died, rose again and after giving instructions to his followers went to be with the Father.  After 40 days, the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples.  In Acts 2:1-4 we read:

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Pentecost is considered the birth of the church.

But beloveds, WE are the church.

We are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, which means that the very life, breath and energy of God lives in each of us. Given that, how does that influence our response to what is happening in the world? 

How does that influence how we respond to our neighbour?

Does it change anything?  Shouldn’t it?

Breathe on me breathe of God.

In the midst of the madness, be the church!

5 Practical Steps to Worry Less!

When I was little I was terrified of sleeping in my own room.  I remember being so afraid that there was something lurking in the shadows or that someone was going to climb through the open window (even though my bedroom was on the second floor and no balcony in sight!).  I would start off in my bed every night and at some point I would end up in the safety of my mom’s bed.  I have no idea how I managed to get across the hallway from my bedroom to hers!  I was so worried that someone or something was going to get me.

Eventually I grew up and got over my irrational fear of shadows in the night... but when I think about it, even today when we begin to worry, isn’t it the same?  Worrying about things that aren’t even there!

Now as an adult there are plenty of things to think about; health , finances, education, jobs, relationships, all of which are important and yet the bible makes it pretty clear that we are not to worry.

This week we are starting a new message series entitled, Less Worry More Joy! We are going to look at a passage from Matthew 6: 26- 27 where Jesus says, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Jesus goes on, Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”  Nope, right?  Right.

If you struggle with the issue of worry in your life you are not alone!

So, here are 5 things you can do to help stop worrying:

1. Think differently.  Worrying involves your thought life. What we think about matters.  The apostle Paul gives us a clue on how to think in Phil 4:6-8.  Be sure to read the whole verse but you will recall verse 8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” 

2. Pray:  This might seem simplistic but please don’t underestimate the power of prayer. The Bible tells us to pray instead of worry... so pray and then consider the matter in God’s hands.  You might want to start a prayer journal.  It’s easy, just write down what’s on your mind in the form of a prayer and give those worries to God.

3. Do something constructive. Instead of sitting around and thinking about the topic, go do something. Ride a bike. Read a book. Listen to music. Do that chore you’ve been putting off.  

4. Talk to someone about it. Share your burden with someone you trust. This can get the worry off your chest while having someone else to help you with it.

5. Obey.  Jesus said “do not worry”.  Check out Matthew 6:24-34!  Trusting God to handle our concerns is a faith issue.  You are putting your faith in an amazing and faithful God. 

God loves you unconditionally, trust God with your worries.