Navigating Truth & Reconciliation Day

“Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Red and yellow, black & white
They are precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world”

Jesus Loves the Little Children by Clare Herbert Woolston

There are many conflicting emotions and opinions surrounding this Truth and Reconciliation Day. It’s hard to know how to react among everything else that’s been thrown at us these past couple of years.

However, in light of that, I would like to take this post today to look to Jesus.

The Lord does not have favourites:

“For there is no favoritism with God.” Romans 2:11

There is no tribe, nation, or race that is not seen and loved by God. He reveals the gospel to all people and it is their choice whether they choose to accept it or not:

“Since what can be known about God is evident among them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made. As a result, people are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20

The Lord treasures all life as it was all made by Him and for Him:

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good indeed.” Genesis 1:31

“For it was you who created my inward parts;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I will praise you
because I have been remarkably and wondrously made.
Your works are wondrous,
and I know this very well.
My bones were not hidden from you
when I was made in secret,
when I was formed in the depths of the earth.
Your eyes saw me when I was formless;
all my days were written in your book and planned
before a single one of them began.” Psalm 139:13-16

The Lord hates sin. It grieves Him that man chose to sin and He’s pursued us with His zealous love, calling us back to Him ever since.

“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

Jesus loves all people:

“People were bringing infants to him so that he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. Jesus, however, invited them: “Let the little children come to me, and don’t stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” – Luke 18:15-17

“Happy is the one whose help is the God of Jacob,
whose hope is in the Lord his God,

the Maker of heaven and earth,
the sea and everything in them.
He remains faithful forever,
executing justice for the exploited
and giving food to the hungry.
The Lord frees prisoners.
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord raises up those who are oppressed.
The Lord loves the righteous.
The Lord protects resident aliens
and helps the fatherless and the widow,
but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

 The Lord reigns forever;
Zion, your God reigns for all generations.
Hallelujah!” Psalm 146:5-10

We don’t know what exactly happened with a lot of those children that died, whether it be murder, illness, etc. I’ve heard various answers. But one thing I do know is that we are to love these families. There are many people hurting in this world and it can be easy to get lost in the confusion and anger of this situation.

Every country is hurting from something. Some are in a constant state of grief from wars. Some from oppression. Some from what seems like a never-ending episode of natural disasters. Others from poverty.

How many of us were teased growing up? Name calling, picking on us about our clothes, food, or family life? Some were beaten up and had things stolen from us. People have been abused by people they thought they could trust. Women kidnapped and sold. The list is endless. This is part of the world that we live in. There’s evil all around.

But!

When we take our eyes off of the things of this world and put on blinders to help our eyes look to Jesus, He helps us to see a different world. One where people give to support the poor and those in natural disasters. Workers and peace-keepers who are willing to step into the fight and save those being ravaged by war. Others who take care of widows and orphans. People who go into the unsafe areas to rescue women from sex-trafficking. Missionaries serving on the First Nations reserves offering counsel and support. Then there are others who love to bless those in need, whether it be financially, spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically. The Lord is still evident in the world and at work among us. Our ultimate call in life is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,” and “your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27.

“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

So, my brothers and sisters, I encourage you to pray for those who are hurting, including the First Nations people. Love God and love others. Share the good news of the gospel of peace to those in your life. And remember, He “is with you always, to the end of the age”. Go in grace and peace knowing that all of us are loved, cared for, and seen.