Article by Barry Boucher
From one coast to the other, “societal chaos” is being experienced in all levels of family life, the economy, government, church, medicine, business, education, the arts and social media. People are feeling stressed beyond stressed and struggling for answers to the myriad of complex issues.
In Canada, the discovery of unmarked graves in our residential school system shocked us to our core. We have experienced the most bizarre weather ever recorded in our nation in one year and many are wondering what’s next. Who could have anticipated a Western heat wave, destructive floods, unmanageable wild fires, an EF2 tornado, arctic blasts of bitterly cold weather, hurricane Larry in Newfoundland, and even a prairie clipper?
In the midst of this, Canada has been hit hard by Covid. It has brought division within families, churches, and in the community at large. Governments have mandated vaccines passports and while society is complying, it is also pushing back with all the encroachments on our freedoms in a democratic society. We hear the cry, “What about our Charter of Rights & Freedoms?” Democracy is at a fragile place.
For apostolic leaders, this is a divine moment to arise with a word from heaven. I hear Jesus saying, “Come to Me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” A word fitly spoken for such a time as this.
Apostles represent a King and a kingdom that is filled with righteousness, peace and joy in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit. As his ambassadors, we are called to bring his peace with us wherever we go. To those who are shaken by the “Societal Chaos” going on in all of the Seven Mountains of society, Jesus invites us to minister to them from a place of rest. Hebrews 4 is a good place to meditate as it reminds us no matter the “societal chaos” in Jesus’ life, he lived and ministered from a place of heaven sent rest. He calls us to follow his lead. Shalom!
