When we bought our home on Daiseyfield Avenue in Courtice, we were warned that the forest behind our property would give way to development in the future. Three weeks ago, the big equipment arrived and decimated a large area designated Phase I. We watched in disbelief as bunches of trees were bundled onto a conveyor belt and turned into mountains of mulch. The racket and drone of machinery has now become the soundtrack of our lives.
This change in our living environment is made more difficult by the fact that it is beyond our control. Several years ago we did attend a public meeting, but our pleas for retaining a green belt fell on deaf ears.
Our resistance to this development reminds me of the resistance to change that keeps many of us stuck in old and familiar patterns of thinking and behaving. When we can’t or won’t adapt, we become unhappy and upset with what’s happening around us to the detriment of the very things and people we mean to protect.
If there’s any place where people especially hate to see change, it’s in the church. I understand why that is. In a world that is constantly changing, from the ways we communicate to the ways we work, it is re-assuring to have one place that remains unchanged. Since God is changeless, it seems right to our spirits to have changeless liturgies, rituals, songs or programs. Unfortunately, resistance to change can carve ruts and limit renewal in our souls. More sadly, it also blocks the next generation from developing their spiritual inheritance.
In our neighbourhood, my adaptability to change is being severely tested. Everything in me wants to resist the developers; I joked about shackling myself to a tree. But what good would that do?
So, rather than denying or defying the coming changes, Marja and I decided to welcome them. Off we went to the builder’s showroom where we introduced ourselves to the realtor and asked him to explain his plans. He turned out to be a nice guy, even inviting us to transplant any small tree still standing. We left with an understanding of the timelines and the kind of houses that will be built. We left feeling better.
It’s a new season at Hope Fellowship and there are bound to be changes as we implement the courageous proposals that we adopted last year. In our ministries and worship, we may see some new things as our creative juices begin to flow. Don’t be afraid. Our God and the good of news of Jesus Christ remain unchanged. But the changeless God who invites us to always “sing a new song” also wants us to do whatever it takes to welcome new neighbours and make way for the next generation of young believers.
Marja and I have reminded each other that trees had to give way for our house when it was built sixteen years ago. I am slowly coming to terms with the need to make room for a new generation of home-owners.
It was Jesus who said that we needed to change and become like children to inherit the kingdom of God. He was talking about child-like faith in him, but perhaps he was also advocating the kind of child-like wonder that allows us to love the creative opportunities that transitions always brings.
By the way, the realtor said that we have two more years to enjoy the stand of trees left behind our house. That’s when Phase II will begin. Perhaps God understood that we are later adapters than we thought we were.
- Pastor Peter
This change in our living environment is made more difficult by the fact that it is beyond our control. Several years ago we did attend a public meeting, but our pleas for retaining a green belt fell on deaf ears.
Our resistance to this development reminds me of the resistance to change that keeps many of us stuck in old and familiar patterns of thinking and behaving. When we can’t or won’t adapt, we become unhappy and upset with what’s happening around us to the detriment of the very things and people we mean to protect.
If there’s any place where people especially hate to see change, it’s in the church. I understand why that is. In a world that is constantly changing, from the ways we communicate to the ways we work, it is re-assuring to have one place that remains unchanged. Since God is changeless, it seems right to our spirits to have changeless liturgies, rituals, songs or programs. Unfortunately, resistance to change can carve ruts and limit renewal in our souls. More sadly, it also blocks the next generation from developing their spiritual inheritance.
In our neighbourhood, my adaptability to change is being severely tested. Everything in me wants to resist the developers; I joked about shackling myself to a tree. But what good would that do?
So, rather than denying or defying the coming changes, Marja and I decided to welcome them. Off we went to the builder’s showroom where we introduced ourselves to the realtor and asked him to explain his plans. He turned out to be a nice guy, even inviting us to transplant any small tree still standing. We left with an understanding of the timelines and the kind of houses that will be built. We left feeling better.
It’s a new season at Hope Fellowship and there are bound to be changes as we implement the courageous proposals that we adopted last year. In our ministries and worship, we may see some new things as our creative juices begin to flow. Don’t be afraid. Our God and the good of news of Jesus Christ remain unchanged. But the changeless God who invites us to always “sing a new song” also wants us to do whatever it takes to welcome new neighbours and make way for the next generation of young believers.
Marja and I have reminded each other that trees had to give way for our house when it was built sixteen years ago. I am slowly coming to terms with the need to make room for a new generation of home-owners.
It was Jesus who said that we needed to change and become like children to inherit the kingdom of God. He was talking about child-like faith in him, but perhaps he was also advocating the kind of child-like wonder that allows us to love the creative opportunities that transitions always brings.
By the way, the realtor said that we have two more years to enjoy the stand of trees left behind our house. That’s when Phase II will begin. Perhaps God understood that we are later adapters than we thought we were.
- Pastor Peter
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