Life As I Live It…

Published

Monday, December 14th, 2009

My post on 'Trendy Justice ' has garnished a fair bit of attention since I posted it. Recently it was published in the Island Insight section of the BC Christian News .

(I will say I wish they hadn't titled like they did… but that's the media for you – HA.)

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Not sure if you've noticed, but social justice is the new black! What I mean is, it's become really trendy to get involved, to make a difference, to embrace justice. I love some of what's resulted from this collective social conscience. Organizations like Invisible Children and Bono's ONE campaign are examples of an ever growing and incredibly impressive list of groups deeply moved to 'do something' having been made aware of the great injustices facing our world today. The fact that people across racial, cultural, and socio-economic borders are being made aware of injustice globally, nationally, and in our own back yards is nothing shy of incredible. Youth groups strive to 'go green' at their schools, our fridges are covered in $30/month children, and every year hundreds of Canadians go without food for the 30 hr famine. In the past couple years pop culture has helped to fuel the fire as celebrities adopt children, build schools, and throwing huge concerts to raise both awareness and finances in the collective fight against poverty, AIDS, and the injustices of war around the world.

I love what is going on in this way, and am excited to be a part of this movement in whatever way I can. That said, I do have some questions and concerns:

Why? What is our motivation in 'doing good'? I fear that for many, the desire to get involved is rooted in a very selfish place. "We give because it makes us feel good." I have talked with countless people who can strongly articulate the idea that they give because it 'feels good'. The truth is that for many of us, christian and non-christian alike, 'if it feels good… do it' is at the core of our world view. At first glance this motivation seems harmless, if not logical. The reality is, it does feel amazing to see justice come to a situation, and to now you were a part of that process. There are huge issues though when this becomes our sole motivation.

First of all, our efforts will be very short lived and inadequate when it comes to accomplishing anything in the big picture. I am daily reminded of the fact that Justice is only a 'feel good' experience on the surface. Handing out sandwiches will only cut it for a short time. Eventually these exchanges will connect us with a person. A person with a face, a name, a story, and a deep need for much more than a sandwich. Suddenly the reality of the situation jumps up and slaps us in the face, and it no longer 'feels good' to give. In fact, it threatens to become incredible scary, messy, and costly. This is the 'Justice Ministry' that God has called us to, and it will never be 'Trendy'.

Earlier this year I found myself in the middle of a mind blowing situation. A woman named Marg approached me on behalf of a friend who needed help. Marg's friend was an elderly woman who had recently undergone a hip replacement. She had been taken to the hospital for surgery, and Marg needed help getting her house cleaned so they could move her back in. The task of cleaning this house was no small order, because Margs friend had lived the past number of years in severe depression. The effects of this deep depression had kept her from doing even the most basic of household duties. Marg described the state of her friends house, and challenged me over and over with the fact that I really had no idea how bad it was.

I put a call out to our local churches to recruit some help, and made no attempt to glorify the request (knowing that if things were half as bad as Marg was saying I'd only get myself in trouble if I was anything but upfront with the details.) 2-3 days went by without a response, and so I took it up with the Pastor at the church we're attending. He asked me to share the need on Sunday morning, and in turn I was able to gather a group of 6 to go and clean the house on the following Wednesday. When we arrived the state of the house was beyond what any of us had expected. Filled with four years of garbage, rotten take out, and human urine in milk jugs, the smell almost made me sick a number of times. We separated the empty pop bottles from the rest, and were able to use the $150 in returns to pay for one of the three dumpsters we used to have the garbage hauled away.

At one point I was standing knee deep in garbage with a shovel, when a client of mine who'd joined the clean up crew asked me: "so… this woman was just depressed!?" His eyes filled with tears, as this man who has fought with depression personally, connected with the magnitude of what this lady must have experienced for things to get this far. I couldn't help but think that He had somehow connected with Christ's heart for the situation in a way that I hadn't.

It was in that moment that I realized how far I have to go towards understanding God's heart for justice. It is a justice that goes far beyond trendy, or an action of self gratification. It is the very act of setting right the wrongs in this world, and it is far beyond our ability to accomplish. It is an answer to the call of Isaiah when he said:

"learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." Isaiah 1.17

In addition to the fact that Trendy Justice tends to be very fragile when the rubber hits the road, there is a much larger issue at it's core. Trendy Justice lacks hope. Ultimately a sandwich, 30/month, school fees for a year, clean drinking water, AIDS drugs…. it's just not enough. What we need is a saviour. We need someone who can bring complete justice, and not one of us can fully be that for another. The good news however is that "light has come into the world". There is hope, because in the darkness of injustice there is a light! True justice shines when our actions and efforts are flooded by, filled with, and pointed towards light in the midst of darkness.

¹ In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He existed in the beginning with God. ³ God created everything through him, and nothing as created except through him. ⁴ The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. ⁶ God sent a man, John the Baptist,⁷ to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. ⁸ John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. ⁹ The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world." John 1.1-9

As the Church, we must not get seduced by the 'feel good' experience of Trendy Justice. Instead, we need to surrender our very lives to the cause (an act that will never be 'mainstream'). God is a God of Justice, and we desperately need to catch His heart for the injustices that surround us. Let us pray that His Kingdom Come in the face of injustice on Earth as it is in Heaven. The Bible challenges us to "not become weary in doing good". A deeper look at this passage in Galatians 6 teaches us that "the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." Justice that is self motivated and self manufactured will not cut it. Instead it must be the result of the Spirit in us, for truly:

God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4.6-7

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How He Loves Us – Romans 8

Saturday, October 4th, 2008

Today is a hard day for me. A client I worked with for a couple months passed away about 3 weeks ago and the funeral is this afternoon. The situation is difficult not only because family and friends feel such loss and sorrow, but also because of the brokenness that surrounds this situation. I have to admit it's feeling very weighty to be Christ's hands and feet today. To know that He loves us so completely, but to be so unsure of how to best share that good news. One thing is for sure… I am desperate for God to move in my words, and even more so in my actions.

When the young man's mother asked me to help with this 'celebration of life' she asked if I could represent the 'religious part' of things. I told her I'd be happy to come and be of help in any way I could. I asked what she thought it would look like for me to "represent the religious part of things". She leaned into me and simply said… "I just want you to come and be you." In that moment I felt God speak words of release and peace to me. Today as I head over to the church to facilitate what is bound to be a very un-traditional funeral I pray for nothing more and nothing less than Christ in me, the hope of glory. (Col 1.27)

I'll be sharing from Romans 8, specifically about love. The love of a son for his mother, of a friend, of those here on earth for those who we've lost. I pray God breathes life into His word as I share the simple but life changing truth of God's perfect love. That so many who desperately need Him, I pray the unmistakable presence of The Father.

Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:

They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.

None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.

Romans 8.31-39

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Let There Be Justice

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2008

Stephen Lewis

Last Friday evening I had the great pleasure of hearing Stephen Lewis speak. He was invited to the Comox Valley by the World Community Development Education Society (a local organization with a big heart for global social justice.) I have long been inspired by Stephen Lewis, and so I was incredibly excited to join 1699 other people for his visit. As Stephen shared his experiences, dreams, frustrations, and ambitions related to helping the continent of Africa I was again moved by a man who's heart beats so deeply for others. It was so incredible to hear detailed and educated accounts of the alarming and complicated injustices facing the African people. It would have been impossible to not be touched by story after story of how it's impacting lives. Just as moving was the response of the 1700 that had gathered to hear Stephen Lewis speak. The applause that filled the room multiple times through out the evening stirred me deeply. It spoke of peoples deep commitment to help the ease the suffering of others. I was in that moment reminded that as humans we are created in God's image and therefore have an intrinsic dedication to seeing justice come to the lives of the broken and the poor.

Over an over Stephen Lewis made reference to promises that governments have made and subsequently broken. He asked the question that is on so many of our hearts when we encounter the injustices of this world… "How can this happen?" In a day and age when solutions are available, people are still dying at a rapid rate. Why!? You could almost feel the weight and desperation behind that question as it filled the hearts and minds of each one present. This brings me back to the most significant thing I took away from the evening: people… Canadians… care. Often I have felt that our governments do not represent our commitment to fight injustice very well. That doesn't change the fact that when you get down to the grassroots of the issues we are ready and willing to do what we can. I celebrate the heart and passion that I experienced in that room Friday night. I don't often see it, but I believe that at it's core is the heart of our creator who admittedly came to

"to bring good news to the poor. …to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed." Isaiah 61.1

Stephen Lewis inspired me on Friday night, but more importantly, God spoke. I am reminded yet again that what the world needs desperately, what Africa needs desperately, is not only better government, access to schools, AIDs drugs, and money. We need a saviour, and it's only as we allow Christ to be that for us that we'll be able to really do something with the passion for justice that He gave to us when we were created. Stephen Lewis mentioned a conversation he'd had with an African woman that quite perplexed him. He asked her what she and others like her were doing to help meet the needs of their immediate surroundings. She simply told him "we pray". Today, I join that woman and many like her in prayer. I pray that God brings healing and justice to the people of Africa. I pray that his love and life come to that continent, and that they see Him as saviour. I pray too for Stephen Lewis and the thousands of people who so honourably give their lives and hearts to bring justice where there is none. I pray they too meet the God of Justice as they put their hands to the work of His heart. Finally, I pray that the inspiring commitment an passion for justice that filled that room Friday night would rock the Church.

For the next week I feel challenged to meditate on God's word as it relates to this heart for justice. One verse that stands out to me, and I will allow to permeate my heart is Micha 6:8

He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Teach us God. Give us your heart. Fill us with mercy as we are humbled today in the face of injustice. To our great collective "WHY!?" we pray that you'd come and speak truth and understanding. Bring peace Father. Pour out mercy. Let there be justice.

If you're interested in learning more about what's going on in Africa I HIGHLY recommend Stephen's book Race Against Time

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Next Steps… (in the journey)

Monday, March 31st, 2008

Last night ended a very huge and life altering piece of my journey. I am officially finished working at Starbucks after an incredible year there. The decision to move on came quickly, but with the very evident hand of God behind it. I really loved working at Starbucks, and only time will reveal the incredible degree to which my time there has impacted my life. In fact, I was just finishing my assistant manager training and up until a month ago figured I'd probably be there for a while. Then I went to Calgary – HA!

A couple months ago I was in Calgary to hang out with friends from Epic, and to do a house concert at the Schuster's. It's the house concert that really wrecked me in an unforeseen way. God really opened my eyes to the potential and plans He has for this area of my life. The simple truth is that when I came home and went back to work I was quick to realize something in my heart had changed. Time has taught me that what I was feeling usually means God is about to move me or introduce me to something new. My initial reaction was actually anger and frustration. The loss of contentment at Starbucks coupled with the fact that I know God doesn't want me taking a 'job' at a church left me confused and wondering what He wanted me to do with a Bible School degree and 15 years of 'church' experience. The prayers that resulted went something like: "God, I need you to either give me back the peace and contentment I felt at Startbucks before… or to open up new opportunities that make sense given everything else you're doing and teaching me!"

What happened next showed me once again that our God is an amazing God. Early on at Starbucks I met Shawn (the director of the Salvation Army in the Valley.) He regularly stops in for a coffee, and we've been trying to get together for the better part of a year. Right in the midst of my confused and pray filled place I finally set a time to meet with Shawn. I wasn't looking for a job, but rather had been thinking there may be some way Janna and I could start helping out with something the Salvation Army is up to in the Valley. Shawn and I grabbed coffees, sat down, shared our journeys… and at the end of our conversation Shawn said; "Chad, I don't even know if it makes sense to do this given everything you've just told me… but, I think I'm supposed to offer you a job."

Walking away from that encounter I knew that God had answered the prayers I'd been throwing around consistently for days. A month after that conversation with Shawn, I've accepted a job with the Salvation Army as a 'Shelter Case Worker'. Pretty much, I'll be working with the homeless, addicts, etc who stay at a Salvation Army shelter in Courtenay. I'll work with many broken and needy people everyday, attempting to help them find the resources they need to put life back together. Given all that God has been stirring in my heart for injustice over the past few years, I'm beyond excited about this! In fact, as I write this entry I'm overwhelmed by the fact that the breadth of what God's done here can't be captured by in a blog. I'll keep sharing the stories of this journey both here and as many of us sit and share our lives in coffee shops and the like. In the mean time… praise God, and know that He's got everything figured out… all the time.

FYI: A good chunk of my salary will be covered by BC Housing. You can have a look at the document Shawn and some others in the valley have done up to properly describe the issues and proposed solutions surrounding the 'housing crisis' in the Valley. My new job is a part of the proposed solution: Mayor's Task Force Report on Homeless

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Encounter ’08

Monday, March 10th, 2008

Encounter 08

Last week I had the privilege of hanging out in Eston Sk. If you've ever been to Eston you probably know that the town itself isn't much of an attraction. It's a very small Saskatchewan farm town nestled away in what is very much the 'middle of nowhere'. What made it such an amazing week were the people that congregated there for the week. I was there to help lead worship and to speak at a Sr High event facilitated by Eston College (a Bible College in the middle of that tiny town.) Almost 300 Sr high students came, and together with some of my best friends in this world, we joined them on quite a journey.

Going into the weekend I had a strong and deep anticipation. I just knew God was going to meet with us in a divine way… and He certainly did just that. Through out our time of prep and then into the weekend, we continually saw God moving. More than anything I felt like he was challenging us to really live. I was deeply challenged to pursue Him with much more commitment. To allow faith to grow in me… believing that He will show himself in the midst of our daily lives. The week woke me up in many ways. Not that I was 'asleep', but I think now is a season where God is calling me to 'move forward' in many ways.

More than anything my time in Saskatchewan reminded of the deep deep value of friendship. It was SO good to be with people who have a 'like heart', and who love my heart. People who time and again call out the best in me. People who really 'know' me, and who I can be incredibly real with. It is in the safety of these friendships that I come to life in many ways. Worship, justice, evangelism… it all makes SO much more sense inside of community. God is birthing incredible dreams in me right now, and I can't wait to walk them out with friends. Jason, Ari, Sheri, Daniel, Alexandra, Kevin, Andy, James, Jamie… Rob & Sarah, Greg and Kim. Having spent the weekend together was an incredible example of how incredibly God is able to weave lives together. I was talking w Jason (a new friend from the weekend… brought into my life all the way from California) and he was reminding me of something I've said many times before; God's ability to connect hearts is one of His most mind blowing characteristics.

I am truly grateful for all God did last week, and find myself energized and excited for what's to come.

Check out more pics from the weekend here

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House Concert

Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008

House Concert Music is such an amazing part of my life. God has really allowed song writing and playing to be a time where I'm able to both hear what He's saying, and share what He's doing in and around me. This past year has been a very different one for me musically. Since we moved to Comox I've had very few opportunities to lead worship in a typical 'church environment'. Instead, I've spent a lot of time writing, recording, and just playing by myself here at home. It's been a really good season, and has connected me with a lot of the reasons I started playing and writing years ago. (There's something about the purity/integrity of music when it's free from the thoughts of needing to create or perform for others… it's been a really good year that way.)

While it's been really good, I have begun to crave an outlet for the songs that are on my heart. I still find such joy and fulfillment when I'm able to share songs with friends, and to lead them in worship. What has struck me as of late is the need to find new and effective outlets for my music. God has really been challenging me to listen, and to allow Him to lead me to fresh ways of sharing my heart in song. One thing that a number of my friends have done is 'House Concerts'. I wasn't sure that the music I've written would work in that environment or not… but I felt God asking me to give it a shot.

Last weekend Janna and I were in Calgary, and I took a chance. We set up a House Concert at Dan and Jen's place and invited a number of friends to come. Long story short – it was incredible! I couldn't have imagined an evening like we had together on Saturday. I found that the intimate and relaxed atmosphere of the Schuster's living room made room for the stories and songs to be shared in a very raw and intimate way. It shouldn't surprise me like it does, but here I am… again…. amazed at how well God is able to lead and orchestrate our lives. I walked away from Saturday night trying to figure out how to make House Concerts a consistent expression of my life. So… if you missed it, don't worry. There will be plenty more where that came from!

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More pics from Asia

Friday, November 16th, 2007

Well, I'm far from over the Jet Leg… but I'm getting there. In the mean time, I've uploaded some more pics from the trip. For the bulk of the stories, you'll have to wait till we can sit down with a coffee.

Facebook Album

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