Some of you (I hope!) are reading excerpts from Cantelon’s Casual Commentary here on the site. Writing it is a joy, although labour intensive. It’s also a touch revelatory. You’d think that after 50 years of pastoring I’d know a thing or two about the Bible. Yes I do, but only a little

None of us are unaware of the rapid spread of the corona virus around the world. It’s a threat to all of us, even as the epicentre of the critical mass of affected persons is still its country of origin. The nations of the world are on high alert and proactive measures are escalating.

Blame, of course, is also escalating. As is blame-shifting.

Pointing the finger is always counterproductive. It solves nothing but tends to create polarities. The first reflex on the part of the accused is defensive. Accusations are counter-punched. Vitriol bounces back and forth like a tennis ball.

The genius of forgiveness is that it allows for a level playing field. “Our culture”-“Their culture” comparisons are neutralized by “There but for the grace of God go I”.

The milk has been spilt. Let’s clean it up together.

I was watching a TV documentary recently where there was a study on “finding happiness” through group dynamics. In other words, leaving all screens behind and simply fellowshipping face to face with flesh and blood human beings was the road to happiness. What a concept!

One of the significant benefits of this kind of intentional interaction is the resulting sense of belonging. In this social media era we have never been more connected and more isolated. We’re lonely!

One proven place of belonging is a local church. Not all are the same , of course, but most not only meet on a weekly basis but they care. When you’re cared for, loneliness is mitigated and purpose begins to rise. Why? Because in being cared for we naturally become caregivers ourselves. We suddenly have a sensitivity to the needs of others. We become active rather than passive.

Ultimately meaning, purpose, and fulfillment  are inextricably tied to loving others. What’s more, if our actions are motivated by love for God, He fills the heart with joy.

I was just remembering a conversation I had a while back with someone who was always anxious. It was a lifelong burden.

Pretty much everything in his life was seen through a worst case scenario lens. And, of course, one can view almost anything in terms of what might go wrong.

Worry is the father of fear. And fear paralyzes. It fosters a risk-averse approach to life, which in turn produces uneventful and boring living, leading to overall dissatisfaction and negativity.

I saw an Instagram post the other day: “ Fear is faith that it won’t work out”. Insightful.

So why borrow trouble from the future? “Carpe diem”!

I drove past a prominent fitness facility recently and thought about the rush to membership that always accompanies the new year with its resolutions to get in shape. By February or March these born again fitness seekers will be supporting the facility with their year-long memberships but not participating. It is ever thus…

Reminds me of leadership books, seminars, and courses. Seems everyone wants to be a leader, but few truly lead. Indeed if everyone is a leader, who follows?

Ultimately leadership is something one does. It’s “caught, not taught”. A leader simply gets into the fray and says,” Let’s go!”

Indeed, the world’s leaders are those who just show up. They learn by doing and inspire their neighbors. They take the hits and, as the Scottish poet Robbie Burns put it, “lay me down and bleed awhile, then get up and fight some more”. And they live with that knot in their stomach that witnesses to the push-back they get from the non-leaders who want things to remain as they were. For sure, leaders pay a price, but the fulfilment is worth it.

I have very warm memories of Christmas past. As a child I wasn’t aware of my parents’ poverty. Dad pastored a small Saskatchewan church that provided little compensation. Our house was uninsulated with a dugout dirt basement. In winter we were always cold. And food was never plentiful. But I never heard complaints or poverty talk from Mom and Dad. Rather they chose to be upbeat and thankful. I would often overhear their prayers of praise to God.
Our humble church Christmas services impacted me deeply. Even as a preschooler I embraced the message of a baby in a manger who had come to bring us salvation. At five years of age I committed myself to him.
The carols, the skinny Christmas trees, the inexpensive gifts, but mostly the love in our home made the season “bright”. I loved it then and I love it now.

Blaise Pascal’s “Pensees” is a proven classic. Even though he died at an early age his wisdom far exceeded his years. In the introduction to his “Thoughts” he wrote,”Before we examine the evidence of the truth of Christianity, I need to point out an inconsistency of those who are careless about the truth. Yet it is vital to them, for it intimately affects their lives. Of all their miscalculations, this is what most blatantly shows up their blind folly. It is this: This present life is momentary, but the state of death is eternal. How terribly important it is, then, to live in the light of the eternal, since it ultimately affects all that we do or think!”

This truth struck me this week as an old friend told me he had just been diagnosed with cancer. All the dramas, stresses, and events of his past were suddenly eclipsed by the shadow of death. Our conversation was anything but small talk. We were gripped by the emergence of the far horizon.

Sooner or later we all will face our mortality. How important then that we “seize the day” and commit ourselves wholeheartedly to “the Giver of Life”.

I’m an inveterate reader. Always have been. My mom taught me phonics when I was four years old so I was already reading
“Dick and Jane” before grade one. I can’t get enough of good books. Usually I read four or five books at a time. Keeps my mind in gear.

One of those is a re-read: “The Mind on Fire”, an anthology of the writings of the profound French writer Blaise Pascal. In the introduction, Os Guinness writes,
“ Health has replaced both heaven and ethics. Athleticism is the new form of asceticism. Positive thinking is prized above reflection and meditation. Human experience with all its rich, tragic, and ironic complexities is scaled down to the glow of physical well-being. And self-knowledge and self-mastery are promised us through dieting and exercise…In short a sickness of our age is that we have fit bodies but flaccid minds and vacant souls.”

Guinness is an astute observer. Even though he wrote this before the social invasion of the internet and smart phone he was onto something. We humans have a tendency to flock, following the trends of our society uncritically.
Maybe this is why Jesus referred to us as “sheep”.

Pascal was a thinker. He appeals to me (and you?) because he kept his brain in gear. This doesn’t mean his deep faith in Christ was merely rational, but it does mean that his faith was informed by engaging his mind with the scriptures. I try to do the same. This is why the Bible is my most re-read book.