May His blessings overflow!
I believe grace is what Jesus Christ offers to each and every one of us, and gratitude is our natural response to His overflowing grace. Gratitude is therefore quite an easily recognizable trait among Christ believers. You know what my heart is filled with gratitude each day when I wake up and just know that I am still alive and well. I pray that you feel the same way.
Let us pause and give thanks to God’s providence and trustworthiness for Graceview church. We had a fantastic start to the year, experienced organic growth, in spiritual and financial terms. Everything is a testament to His faithfulness and grace. Our church may be steeped in tradition and age, but it’s also a place of warmth, love, and a touch of humour that brings us together like family.
Now, let’s talk about something that’s been weighing heavily on some believers lately. The challenges facing all mainline churches in Canada seem to multiply with each passing day. Churches are closing their doors, and it feels like we’re losing generation after generation, with no youth or children in our pews. Many young people seem to have nothing to do with church or religion, and worse still government propaganda dilutes the Christian faith of many in our society.
In the midst of these troubling trends, it’s easy to feel disheartened and uncertain about our future. Yet dear friends, worry not. I tell other minister and believer friends around the same way, that His grace is sufficient, for His yoke is light. We must remember that the Church is still growing throughout the world. It’s easy to become discouraged by what we see and experience in our finite surroundings here in Canada alone. However, let us fix our eyes on the broader picture: the spread of the Gospel, the work of Christ being carried out in every corner of the globe. God’s kingdom is advancing, and we have the privilege of being a part of His grand design.
Micah 6:8 reminds us of what the Lord requires of us: to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God. Let us hold fast to these principles as we navigate the complexities of our world. It’s no accident that Iris and I have been brought to this little community of faith. By God’s sovereign will and purpose, we find ourselves here, together, in this season of life. May all that we do glorify Him, and may all of us be a blessing to one another.
With gratitude always,
The Rev. Eric Lee
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
– Micah 6:8 NIV