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This is my Father's world

Sisters and brothers in Christ, I am Rev. Debbie Scheepers, and I serve at St. Michael and All Angels' Church in Prince George. I am married to Clive and we are both ordained ministers. Clive is currently serving at St. Peter's Church.
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Sisters and brothers in Christ, I am Rev. Debbie Scheepers, and I serve at St. Michael and All Angels' Church in Prince George. I am married to Clive and we are both ordained ministers. Clive is currently serving at St. Peter's Church.

Originally from South Africa, I would like to share our first experiences of Canada.

We became very aware, in our short time here, that the Lord is in control and that we need to accept His timing, no matter the inconvenience.

Firstly, the cold was far beyond anything we had ever experienced. The roads, when we arrived, were covered with snow and ice, and travelling on the right-hand side of the road, was terrifying.

God, in His wisdom, knew that we needed to become acclimatised to the new traffic rules. He knew that we weren't ready to drive in these conditions. So we only obtained a car once the snow had melted.

Secondly, we had always been self-reliant. Suddenly, we were dependent on other people for a ride anywhere. We felt we were imposing, but many times the people of the Church would inquire from us whether we needed a ride, even before we could ask! They were very obliging and very willing to drive us wherever we needed to go. But the lessons had been learnt. Wait on the Lord, and your strength will be renewed.

The third problem was that fact that nearly three months after we arrived here, our furniture had still not arrived. We were getting by with what we had brought with us, together with what had been donated by the congregation, quite comfortably. Lots of the "stuff" we thought we needed, was really not necessary. God was adapting us.

Even the way of life was so much more measured. Nobody seemed to be in a hurry. Even the traffic seemed less frantic. This enabled us to be more relaxed, and helped us to focus better. We were truly able to renew our strength.

Thus far we have been taught a number of lessons, some uncomfortable, but so necessary. And so, our journey continues here in Prince George.

Reflection: Paul's wisdom in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, is very different from the wisdom of our age.

The world tells us that we are free when we do not allow anyone to tell us who we are, who we can be, and what we should do. And when we are completely independent and oriented, only to our own needs and desires, we are truly free.

But is this really true?

Paul's message is exactly the opposite of this teaching. Although he acknowledges his freedom in Christ, he willingly allows himself to be shaped by the people to whom he ministers.

His faith is consistent, but by adapting to the understandings, the practices, the cultural characteristics, and the needs of the people to whom he witnesses, he seeks to win them over to Christ. Are we willing to adapt to win disciples?