Chaplain's Message

Things are difficult right now – our world is fighting, heating, burning, flooding, storming, exploding. Look hard enough and one of these situations will hit you in the face with breath taking force! We can’t absorb it all and often the only option is to switch off and “breathe”! How do we care for the lost and lonely, the hurting and hungry, the homeless, the dying?

There was a wonderful woman some years ago who felt God was calling her and her family to Mozambique where homeless children were roaming the streets with no hope of respite. They packed up their home in Canada and started an orphanage Maputu. Soon they had in excess of 500 children and the need was growing. It became more than they could deal with and she returned to Canada for a while after a nervous breakdown! She was confused – how could this happen whilst she was being obedient to God’s calling on her life. "How did this happen, Lord?" she asked. 

She felt his response in her heart saying, “just love the one in front of you!” Mama Heidi returned to Mozambique with her God given wisdom to continue her work with Mozambique’s ophans. 

Such wise, tender advice! We cannot take on the world, we cannot take on God’s job! But we can take one step at a time and love the one in front of us. 

As we move into this Christmas time we think especially of those who have lost loved ones this year, those who are fighting health battles, those whose relationships have brought sadness and despair, those for whom this time of celebration will not be one of joy and hope. 

May our eyes and ears be opened to see that beyond which we can see – and may we recognize the one in front of us that we are called to love and cherish this Christmas – the situation that we can improve, the invitation that will make a difference, the gift that will lift someone’s heart.

I share with you  Psalm 121 – may we claim its promises and clothe ourselves with its assurance of protection as we seek the face of Christ this Christmas.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The Lord watches over you - the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life;

8 the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.

Amen

Go Safely and God Bless You.

~ Pastor Sarah Pollitt

College Chaplain