Last week was to have been Grey Cup week in Regina, culminating with the Grey Cup on Sunday. Unfortunately, it was not able to take place because of the Covid19 pandemic we are facing. It has been a tough year for the CFL. Our hope and prayer is that 2021 paves the way for renewed gatherings in stadiums across the country, so our Canadian game can get back underway. The Grey Cup will take place in Hamilton next year, as planned, if all is well. Let’s hope that next November, Hamilton will be ablaze with fans celebrating and enjoying the hospitality of our great city.
As I thought about this week, my thoughts went back to when I used to do chapel services for teams in the CFL. I would gather with the visiting team in their hotel (usually a film room) and with the Tiger Cats in the same setting (film room). The players and management would gather, to come before the Lord, around His word, and to uplift and encourage each other. I was introduced to some of the biggest names in the CFL. I was so impressed with their friendliness, their humility and their thankfulness for what I had to share with them. I have wonderful memories.
I am also so thankful that their Chaplin, Steve Kearns, was so gracious to set up special Sundays, at church, when players and support staff came in to share with us. The players were so wonderful and inspiring. We got to see how their Faith made a big difference in their lives and the lives of their families. We are forever grateful.
We look forward to the future, when things will return to more of the normal pattern we are used to. I must say that the future will be the “new normal.” I think this pandemic has taught us lessons we need to take with us into the future. I don’t know what the future holds for us in 2021. I hope we are at a very different stage in the outworking of this pandemic. But, as journey together, we need to be patient. We need to be understanding. And, we need to be resourceful as we pull together. We need to prayerful consider how we can be a vehicle of God’s grace during this challenging time. I pray that, for organizations like the CFL, 2021 will come with blessings and renewed optimism as they get their sport and lives back on track.
I am not going to give you some shallow and trite theological promise that you can find everywhere on the internet these days. I am not a prophet or son of a prophet. (Amos 7:14) But I do know, as Believers, God is with us and that nothing can separate us from His love. (Roman 8:39) I know that God is in control and His Ultimate Will – His Perfect Will, “will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10). I know that God has been gracious to us as a congregation and that many folks have prayed and laboured to create the wonderful ministry that has taken place during this pandemic. (Galatians 5:13) And I know, above all, that God holds each one of us in His hand and that nothing can take us from our perfect position in Christ. (John 10:28-30) I think, again, the old hymn that I have cited, from time to times, says it best, “Simply trusting every day, trusting through a stormy way, even when my faith is small, trusting Jesus that is all.” John 14:1 (NIV) reminds us, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.”
My friends, “do not let your hearts be troubled” – cling to the Saviour. He is with us all the way!
Love Pastor Ralph - Go Cats Go!!!
Commenti