End of the Summer

As we come to Labour Day weekend, it marks the end of summer. All the children and students are getting ready to go back to school after, hopefully, a summer filled with fun, rest, and growth (physically as well as spiritually). Parents are also getting ready for school. After two months of figuring out how to entertain your kids, they’re going back! Hopefully you’ve done your back-to-school shopping. I remember I was most excited about getting new stationary as a new school approached. I always asked my mom for new mechanical pencils and the newest Five-Star binders.  

In some ways, this time of year is a restart of sorts. The children move up to the next grade. Some of them enter new seasons, whether it’s going into kindergarten for the first time, or moving from Elementary to Middle School, or going into Secondary School. Even some going into post-Secondary. Parents, once your children start school, it can feel like a reset of schedule and routines. Even church life there seems to be a refresh.  

For example, Summer is always an opportunity to connect with our Poiema brothers and sisters as many of them return home for four months. From May to August, we are intentional in building relationships with one another and growing together so that when September comes, whether you study in Toronto or outside of Toronto, there is a sense of community.   

Last week, we wrapped up Summer with our retreat and BBQ fellowship. The theme of the retreat was Discipleship: Going back to Basics. I spent time unpacking Mark 8:31-38 (I also preached on it a couple weeks ago). Coming back from Sabbatical, this was what the Lord was impressing on my heart; to go back to living for Him and following Christ the way He commanded us to. During the three days we were together, we discussed what it means to be a disciple of Jesus, the necessity of prayer and the Word as pillars of our faith and growth, and the importance of the church. The hope is that as our students go back to school, they all have a renewed focus on following Christ; to see how He is at work in their lives as their “vocation” and calling in this season involves studying. How is Christ transforming you in this season?  

As we gathered this Sunday for a final BBQ fellowship, God was reminding me of how blessed we are for our young people. God is at work! And I am so thankful that I get to walk alongside them. Poiema, I’m excited for what’s in store! I encourage our members to walk alongside them as well. Connect with them, disciple them, pray for them, and model Christ to them.  

I think this is a great time for all of us to reset, refresh, refocus, and renew our minds and hearts back to Christ. Imagine Jesus coming to you and saying, “If you would come after me (follow me), deny yourself, take up your cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34). What would that look like in your life? What is Christ telling you to deny yourself of? What is/are the possible “cross/crosses” He is telling you to bear? And in what ways is Jesus calling for loyal obedience in your life?   

Perhaps this is the season to once again experience the cost, but also the power and joy, of following Jesus. What would it look like if each of us lived for Christ in this radical way? Let’s taste and see Christ’s goodness and grace as we follow Him. As we get ready for this new season, may we grow in becoming who God has called us to be and to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. Let’s pray for our students going back to school; that they will grow in Christ-like character as they pursue Him and learn what it means to live for Him. And let’s pray for COAH; that our community would display a deeper love for Christ and for one another; to be a community of believers who worship God, pursue holiness (growing in His likeness), and are united in Him. Let’s journey in this together!  

With blessings,  

Pastor Tim