God is Faithful During Valleys and Peaks of Life

We continue to teach the children how God is the best example of faithfulness. God is a faithful God. It is part of his character, He is faithful without sin. Throughout the Bible, God continues to demonstrate his faithfulness to mankind. He remains loyal, always keeping His promises to us and his love remains steadfast. God’s biggest testament to His faithfulness is Jesus. After the Fall of Creation, God promised mankind a Saviour that will bridge the gap between us and God. This Saviour will reunite us with God once again. This promise was set in the book of Genesis and was not fulfilled for thousand and thousands of years. In God’s perfect timing, He finally sent His one and only son to redeem us from death. 

Scripture reminds us God is the faithful one:

Know therefore that he Lord your God is God, keeping his covenant of live to a thousand generations of those who live him and keep his commands (Deuteronomy 7:9)

The word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. (Psalm 33:4)

If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)

As Christians, we are asked also to be faithful to God. A trusting relationship grows only by stepping out in faith and making the choice to trust. The ability to believe God develops most often through pure experience. As we journey in our Christian walk, being faithful and confident in God is always easy when there is no adversity. But we were never promised our faith journey will be easy because we are constantly facing adversities. Life is filled with ups and downs.

What does faithfulness look like during the valleys of life? 

It means holding onto God’s promises as we wait and continually seek Him and His Kingdom. It means remembering God’s faithfulness in our lives and remembering God will never forsake us, it means despite the circumstances in front of us, we turn our eyes to God. 

Being faithful and trusting God has to be a daily choice and sometimes never an easy choice. We are tempted to do things on our own, we are influenced by many different opinions and sometimes we forget God.

In the moments when we forget God, God continues to be there for us with His arms open wide as long we choose to go to Him. That is God being faithful. 

We are called to love others and there are moments when others fail us. They don’t meet our expectations, or they don’t seem to be on the same page as us. Or we failed our loved ones. The hurts of life, God continues to be the faithful one we can trust with all our hearts, mind and soul. 

During times of lamentations, our praises are more authentic because we made the choice to worship and praise God despite those valleys we are facing. We hope through the trials of life, we can be a testament God is working and He will be glorified.  

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

— Lamentations 3:22-23

As we continue to remind the children and youth about God’s faithfulness, we hope that we can remind them to be faithful to God too. God is our true comforter who knows our name and every thought.

God’s Unconditional Love

When asked who my favourite child is, I often respond jokingly with “my favourite child depends on the day”. It was a truthful statement as some days the kids are not my favourite and I am sure that some days I am not their favourite person in the world either. I learned that my love was conditional and differed based on their behaviour. I wondered if this is how I viewed God’s love for me. That somehow God’s love towards me would change based on my own works, yet I know this is not true. In Romans 5:8 it says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”.  Praise God His love for us is not conditional on our works as we are sinful human beings. There is nothing we can do to earn God’s love, yet God chose to love us unconditionally. 

This past year God has given me a greater understanding of His fatherly love through serving at Kingston-Galloway. It has been a joy and blessing to watch the kids and youth grow up, but it has also been challenging and heartbreaking walking through various seasons of change alongside them. We strive to make our programs a safe space for kids to be kids in which they are comfortable being themselves. Yet our kids struggle with having a dual identity as they often act completely different outside of our programs. There is immense societal pressure amongst the kids in the community to keep a tough exterior in order to protect themselves. There seems to be a common fear that if you show any weakness or vulnerability you will be bullied or taken advantage of. 

Many of our older kids are at a crossroads in which they must decide which path they want to take as it is impossible to live two completely different lives. They can choose the easier path which succumbs to the negative influence of their peers around them, or perhaps they will choose the narrow path.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”- Matthew 7:13-14.

Yet choosing to follow Jesus will be difficult as they will have to resist temptation and stand up for what they believe in by being set apart from the world. 

Last year our children learned about the fruits of the spirit and we encouraged the kids to show love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The kids often found it difficult to understand why they should show love to those who have wronged them. They said “If someone hits me, I will get my get backs (revenge)”. I tried to explain that Jesus teaches us to not seek revenge and instead love our enemies. “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven”- Matt 5:44-45. During the summer, I had to practice what I preached. 

This past summer I was involved in an unprovoked TTC incident in which racial slurs and physical threats were directed at me for no justifiable reason. I prayed that God would give me the wisdom to know what to do to keep the rest of the campers safe in this high-intensity situation. As we debriefed the kids about the situation they were shaken, not out of fear but out of a desire for revenge. This incident did not phase them as it was nothing they haven’t seen before. What surprised them more was how calm I was not to fight back with them despite all that they said and did to me. They could not understand why I did not fight back. But I knew that any retaliation to defend my honour, pride and dignity as an Asian person and human being would have only escalated the problem. It would be selfish to do so as I would have only put everyone else at risk for a moment of the personal satisfaction of getting revenge. It was not worth it.  Although this incident would have justified a physical response according to the kids. I chose to respond to anger with gentleness and self-control. I chose to approach a chaotic situation with peace and patience through the power of the Holy Spirit. My response stuck with two of the individuals on the bus who recognized what they did was wrong. 

As difficult as this TTC incident was, it opened my eyes to see the type of situations the kids deal with on a daily basis and how difficult it is to choose to follow Jesus. I was upset that the kids had to hear their hateful language but I was thankful that the kids were able to witness firsthand the power of the Holy Spirit as I would not have been able to handle this on my own strength. The kids were able to see a different way to respond to hatred which was so countercultural to what they knew. This summer I earned some respect as the kids saw that I practiced what I preached in a real What Would You Do scenario. 

I am not a parent, but I have had a glimpse of what that may look like through loving the kids at KG. I want what’s best for them, yet I know that I can’t shelter them from the world and they must make decisions on their own. I can guide and direct them to the path which will bring them light and life, but they must choose to follow Jesus on their own. Some of our children have started getting in trouble in which they are disobeying their guardians, breaking rules and hanging out with negative influences. It is a difficult situation as the guardians want what is best for their children. Yet the kids often see consequences as an overreaction as they do not fully understand the potential repercussions of their actions. It is difficult for children to understand the heart of a mother/father/guardian as they feel trapped and restricted by rules. Yet rules are meant to protect and preserve morality not to be used to oppress or exploit others. In fact, God’s commandments were to ultimately protect the relationships between people and between the creator and His creation. Hopefully one day our children will come to understand that upholding rules is an act of love, as it would not be truly loving if everything was permissible.  

As I witness the path of life some of my children are choosing to take, it breaks my heart as I know the likely repercussions of their decisions. Due to the nature of our community some of these decisions may have long term impacts on their life, yet how can you fully comprehend the gravity of the situation as a child? I am sure that it hurts God’s heart when we choose to disobey Him and make decisions that will lead us to harm. Yet God would not be very loving if He controlled our lives and made every decision for us as we would no longer have freewill. God is Sovereign and He knows what decisions we will make but he cannot make them for us.

As I work with the children at KG I have a small glimpse of God’s unconditional love as a father. Sometimes I wish I could shelter the kids from the pain, suffering and evil of the world, yet this is not possible. Sometimes I also wish that the children would have a full understanding of the consequences of their decisions, yet this is also not possible. The only thing we can do is plant the truth of the Gospel and show and share the love of Jesus with the limited time we are given with them. Some of our children and youth have come and gone, yet even though they have gone astray they will always be welcomed back with arms open wide. In the same sentiment we also know that even when we sin, make mistakes and go astray we can always turn back to God whose arms are open wide ready to welcome us back home. 

We pray that our children, youth and families will experience the love of God personally. May they know that they are fully known and fully loved by God. We pray that one day they will accept the greatest gift of all, Jesus, as their Lord and Saviour. 

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God’s Promise for Eternal Life

At the beginning of the year, we knew it was important to focus on God’s character before we taught the children about God’s promises. How could they put their trust in God they do not know? How can they trust that God would keep His promises if they do not know who He is? Last year we taught the kids about the Character of God based on Exodus 34:6b-7a:

“The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin (righteousness)”

The children who previously attended our programs have a foundational understanding about who God is and it is easier for them to put their trust in God as they know He is faithful and always keeps His promises. 

This summer, the kids demonstrated their knowledge of God’s promises by practically applying it to their everyday lives. At Kingston-Galloway, the kids were blessed to have the opportunity to go treetop trekking for the first time. Many were overcome by fear but in the midst of their fear, they encouraged each other with God’s promises. One young boy said, “we don’t need to fear because God is always with us, especially when we are scared. Isn’t that right”? The truth that God was always by their side eased their anxiety and gave them the confidence to continue through the course. The children knew that they could put their trust in God who is faithful in keeping His promises.

This year we hope to teach the kids about God’s promise of eternal life through the parable of the rich young ruler. This young man wanted to know how to receive eternal life which is something our kids want to know as well. He thought that he had to do a good deed to earn his way to heaven, but the bible makes it explicitly clear that we are saved by grace through faith in Christ alone.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”

~ Ephesians 2:8-10

There is nothing we can do to earn our salvation as it does not solve our sin problem. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God’s standard is perfection and it is impossible for anyone to keep all of God’s laws and commands. We do not need to be in despair as the rich young ruler who went away sorrowful because he thought it was impossible to have eternal life.

The parable continues with the disciples asking the question “who can be saved”? Jesus said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). As believers we have the assurance of salvation that even when we make mistakes and fall into sin we are forgiven if we ask. The rich young ruler did not understand that eternal life is a gift from God.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

— John 3:16

God loved us so much that He did not leave us in our sin but sent His son Jesus to pay the penalty of our sins. Jesus’ Salvation is a gift that is freely given but we must accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. We receive eternal life when we put our faith and trust in Jesus. “If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). 

God’s promise of eternal life gives us hope for the future. We can look forward to spending eternity with our father in heaven. In Revelations 21:3-4, John describes a new heaven and earth,

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”.

This promise of eternal life gives us hope through difficult times as we know that our pain and suffering here on earth are temporary. The knowledge that our lives are short in light of eternity should encourage us to make our lives count by making Christ’s name known. The rich young ruler loved his possessions more than he loved Jesus so he decided not to follow Him. Jesus asks us to be willing to give up everything and follow Him because He is ultimately the only one worth following. 

Eternal life is found exclusively through Jesus. It is received by repentance and believing in Jesus. It is a gift of God’s grace that we do not deserve but must choose to receive. It is an everlasting relationship with God in heaven. As believers, we have the assurance of salvation as God promises eternal life to all who believe. We pray that our kids, youth and families will receive the gift of eternal life by accepting Jesus as Lord and saviour. 

No Mistake Will Separate Us from God

This past school year, we have been teaching and getting the kids at Kingston-Galloway to understand what forgiveness is and how to apply it to their day to day. One of God’s promises to us is, if we confess our sins, God will forgive our sins and cleanse us. 

“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” ~1 John 1:9

This promise is an incredible promise. It is a reminder of the Gospel and a revelation of what God’s character is. But before we can understand God’s forgiveness, we need to understand what is sin and we are sinful. We are not a little bit sinful but we are just sinful. We need to understand the sin we have. From the moment of birth till now, we are ALL sinners. We have decided to choose against God with our day-to-day choices from the very beginning with Adam and Eve. Our heart has been changed to do everything opposite of God. No matter the magnitude of the sin, sin is sin. We don’t deserve the gift of eternal life.

It will be quite sad that is the end of our relationship with God. In the Gospel, we understand God offers us  second chances, He provides us mercy and grace through Jesus Christ. He gave his one and only son to sacrifice and die in our place. God’s forgiveness has no end, it is never too late as long we confess our sins to Him.

The kids at Kingston-Galloway understand they make mistakes and they sin. At times, some kids may feel like they are “too bad” to receive God’s love. And some, who just think they are not bad people. For us to ultimately experience God’s forgiveness, we need to understand all the wrong we have done to God. Has God opened your eyes to the sin you have committed and you have not confessed? 

We make mistakes, small or big. 

We will make mistakes, today or tomorrow. 

We need God to help us. 

We need God’s forgiveness to cleanse us.

God sent Jesus to clean the slate for us. 

We continue to remind the children the biggest mistake cannot even separate us from the love of God. We are reminded that is it never too late to ask forgiveness and forgive others.

““And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ”

— Romans 8:38-39

As we experience God’s forgiveness, we need to also extend this forgiveness to those who wrong us because of Christ. As much as our sin and pride tell us to punish the person. We need to ask God to give us the love and humbleness to forgive them. 

We have been teaching our kids sometimes you will meet people who are not so easy to love and forgive. But we can ask God to teach us to love them. As we continue the school year, meet new friends and friends, may God remind us we can ask God to help us forgive those who wronged us and to offer the forgiveness God has given us.