The Suddenlies

I am heartbroken and shaken by the sudden disaster that has come upon our friends and citizens of Hope, Merritt, Abbotsford, and surrounding area. Not only to them, but for all those that were caught on the road while traveling during the recent flooding and mudslides. We send out our deepest condolences for the families of those who have died and are still missing. We need to pray for them, and if possible, physically help them in any practical way that one can. But it got me to thinking… No one saw this coming. It came suddenly without warning.

From small disasters like a hot water tank blowing up and water all over your house, to an entire town wiped out by flood waters, in either case, we don’t get a warning. The “suddenlies” of life can be a minor nuisance or life altering.

This event at the Lower Mainland of BC is historic. It has never happened before. But what is normal, is that disaster comes without warning and often without prejudice. The rich and poor are affected. The righteous and the sinner experience the same devastation. The young and old, the professor and the student, the weak and the strong, all can experience an unexpected calamity, a disaster they didn’t expect, or catastrophe bigger than themselves.

This speaks to me about what my personal disposition ought to be. It is one of humility. There are many things we cannot control. We tend to be an arrogant lot. We often think that we can live our life without consequence, disaster, or tragedy. It is a view that reveals the heart of pride.

          The Apostle Paul uses an interesting metaphor when talking about the unexpected. “While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. (1 Thessalonians 5:3)

He is saying it really isn’t unexpected, this present calamity. A pregnant woman knows trouble (labour pains are acomin’). But, when it happens, it feels like a surprise, and then - there is no stopping it.

           So is it really a surprise? No. We can see the trouble is acomin’. We are polluting the earth, we are living like there is no tomorrow, we are abusing one another by our selfishness and greed, we are rejecting righteousness and substituting it for every sort of evil imaginable. As the Bible says, “it is suddenly, but not without some signs.  The Bible says, “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.” (Romans 8:22)

          It is time to humble ourselves and turn to the creator of our soul, to the saviour of our life, to the author of faith and the giver of grace. I cannot promise the pending storm will not touch you, but I can promise that in the middle of the storm the Holy Spirit is present and he will be with those that have put their trust in him.

This coming Sunday, I am continuing my sermon series on “A Better Way to Live” taken from 1 Timothy 4:16 “Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”  He sets the priority first it is your life or what is going on in your soul, then it is your doctrine or what you believe. We will talking about the difference 18 inches can make from the head to the heart, using the aforementioned as a context. Get your life and doctrine in sync with God and you will have a better life.

I think it will be helpful and insightful. Join us and bring a friend.

Sunday Celebration

We are meeting personally at the church Sundays at 10:30am. Moving forward and until further notice: We are asking everyone to wear masks practice physical distancing and hand sanitizing. We are so glad that we are gathering again, your presence is so important. The usual online options (Facebook and KCF.Online.Church) will also be available.

Pastor Jim Reimer

 November 18, 2021