It’s been over a year since my last newsletter. So much has happened that it’s impossible to sum it all up in one letter. That said, I’d like to make two observations.
First, most of us are working ourselves to death to build dreams and establish ourselves as relevant in a world that is less and less stable socially and economically. I’m sure that most of us realize how little it takes (a cyber attack, a “distant” war, an accident, a virus…) for the whole world to crumble. And in the face of this instability, we’re asked to do more and have less room for error. I see it all around me, in the colleague who goes on “extended leave for an indefinite period” after a burnout, the student who comes to a Bible study with dark circles around his eyes, or the one who doesn’t show up and puts up with a superhuman academic/work schedule. I see it in myself, as anxiety paralyzes me when the time comes to present my scientific work: What if I haven’t done enough, what if I make a mistake and lose my job? My source of income? My reputation as a researcher? This anxiety is just as present in my job at GBUC: What if I haven’t done enough for the students? What if I’m wrong? Am I a good example, me with my failures, weaknesses and fears? Am I good enough?
While each of us responds differently to these questions, which are sometimes a little too self-centered, my second observation is that, if God is part of this internal questioning, if we give Him the authority over our lives, He is capable of producing fruit that will pleasantly surprise us. Reading Philippians 2, Paul tells us of a person who was expected to do the most difficult of works: “to save all mankind from sin and reconcile them with GOD”.
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” – Philippians 2: 5-8
It’s interesting that, to do this, Christ was the servant of all, willfully second despite being Alpha and Omega, GOD Himself according to us who believe in Him. Isn’t this a challenging perspective in our increasingly individualistic world? That our successes, our trials, our dreams, our careers, our ministries, our choices be decentered from ourselves and point to GOD. That in all these things, the opinions of our peers be less important than that of GOD. That He who created all things have first place, and that His children, those around us, be precious in our eyes. In the end, isn’t the plan of this GOD, able to die as a man and resurrect for our eternal salvation, the best plan there is?
Over the past two years, I’ve seen in my own life and in the lives of Christians around me, that such an attitude, even if we are not perfect in it, produces a wonderful fruit. By the Lord’s grace, the GBUC have had some wonderful moments in which staff members and students have put themselves at each other’s service. It’s incredible to see GOD’s work continue with zeal on Quebec campuses after periods of absence due to COVID. Particularly at Polytechnique, a small group of students resumed their in-person Bible study meetings on campus after more than a year’s hiatus. This return was difficult, and came with academic pressure (overcrowded schedules) and economic struggles (especially for international students). Yet it has enabled a handful of students to make the choice to put GOD first in their lives.
As for me, I continue to witness what GOD is doing at GBUC-Poly and I also see how GOD is working in my personal life. HE has given me the perfect wife to accompany me in this ministry. Indeed, with her, we are the privileged companions of the students with our “5 loaves and 2 fishes” that we are happy to share on campus or in our apartment. While we have other demanding jobs that require a certain level of performance, we can count on GOD’s grace to give us peace of heart and make every aspect of our lives, especially our jobs, an opportunity for mission.
Please pray with us that GOD will continue to support us. Pray that HE will be at the center of our choices. May our Redeemer be at the center of everything that happens this fall at Polytechnique, a place ready for a great harvest. Let us pray for the students, each one invaluable in the eyes of our GOD. If you would like to support the GBUC ministry or mine financially, please go to www.gbuc.ca/donner.
I want to thank you, for your patience, your prayers and your generosity, all precious in the eyes of the Lord far more than I understand myself. May GOD bless you all!