Hope in Things Above
By Elliott Shin, Acting Executive Director
Thank you for your prayers over the past several weeks as Toronto City Mission continues to stick-handle through the COVID-19 crisis. Although our method of ministry has changed, our desire to share Christ’s love to our communities remains steadfast.
As this difficult season of COVID-19 becomes a bit more "normal," I have discovered simple things in my life that I have long taken for granted. Like sitting at a coffee shop and reading the daily newspaper, or enjoying a wonderful restaurant catch-up meal with a friend, or fun conversations and fellowship with work colleagues, or enjoying dinner and board games with my family, or my church small group or the freedom of not being a slave to my regular work routine. I am thankful for understanding that these have been hidden blessings in these uncertain times.
In typical times, this would be an exciting season of the year. It’s springtime, where the days get longer, the temperatures continue to rise, and we are saying goodbye to the last semblances of winter. A time when we notice the ground thawing, snow disappearing, birds chirping, and of course partaking in the joys of putting away our winter clothes. We look forward to spring flowers, budding trees, and new life that is synonymous with spring!
For Christians, this is also a time of the year when we celebrate Easter–God’s promise for us through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus. The season of Lent takes us on a spiritual journey, from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday. It is a time of preparation, as we seek to focus our eyes on the cross and the power of Jesus’ death for the forgiveness of sins. Then on Resurrection Sunday, we rejoice in Jesus’ victory over death. Christ is risen!
As you celebrate the joys of Easter this coming weekend, I hope that you will also have an extended time of reflection as you mourn the depth of our sins, and then celebrate Christ’s victory on the cross.
Reflecting on Jesus’ final days leading up to the cross can give us a better understanding of our own faith. The joy of our faith and hope rests in the words of Jesus to Martha before He raised Lazarus from the dead. Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). My prayer is that you are also able to echo Martha’s response, “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:27)
In this time of uncertainty, Easter not only continues to be the bedrock of our faith, but Easter also revitalizes our hope, and hope pulls our optics upward towards God. Paul shares, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)
Easter is a time to mourn our Saviour’s death (Friday), and celebrate His resurrection (Sunday), but it is also a time to allow God to reinvigorate and strengthen our hope. It is an opportunity for us to look upwards to Him, and deeply reflect on our own personal faith journey. As you embark on this expedition, allow me to suggest a couple of meditative questions for you to consider and evaluate:
Why did Christ have to die?
What is the significance of the resurrection?
How does Jesus’ resurrection give us hope in this time of COVID-19?
Banner image: https://www.godisreal.today/jesus-christ-is-risen/