I have recently picked up following Formula 1 racing. F1 involves some of the fastest cars and drivers in world. I think I like it because everything else in my life is so excruciatingly slow.

Pandemic living has made us cope - without choice - with new uncertainties and realities. And one of these, I’m learning, is that everything has slowed down. Decisions. School. Productivity. The stirring of hope. All these used to be quicker. And one more thing this new unrushed-ness has affected: my prayer.

I have prayed much of my life. But one thing I’ve sharply noticed now is I seem to have less to pray about, but more time to pray. At first I felt guilty about this. Pray more! Especially now! But, God has taught me to pray with a new pace: slow down, find comfort in silence, listen.

I still submit requests to God. But the Spirit has helped me to listen longer. And even when I hear nothing: to continue on, put my heart to the Word, and keep listening. Keep listening.

Another hobby I’ve picked up is gardening. Truth be told, my only job in this family exercise is watering. I enjoy misting the dirt, the greens, and cheering on these little things to grow. But, like my prayers, I often see nothing happening. When I do, it’s only one millimeter of growth. Hardly satisfying, but the plants are growing a watchful keenness in me. I hear them: “Hmm, this poor man thinks rushing us will help, but he’ll learn. He’s learning. He’s waiting.”

Jesus once taught the kingdom of God is like a man scattering seed on the ground (Mark 4:26-28) “Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head.”

I think I like gardening because while everything else in my life has slowed—the pace of these plants remind me, God grows me just like this.

Jason

This group meets every other week on a Tuesday and our main focus is to explore the intersection between art and faith. We ponder Scripture, we look and listen to art, we even share our own art(!), and we reflect on how the beauty of God feeds, nurtures and informs our own creative lives. We also encourage one another; this is our basic task in journeying together. We listen, laugh, inquire and in all this, we encourage.

So, whether you are an artist or not, you are welcome to join us! Or, if you’d like to learn more, write an email to Pastor Jason, and he’ll tell you everything you need to know.

jason.cheung@rcac.ca

Sebastian is a former member of our church, who works with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He serves and leads university students in Montreal.

In this podcast: Karen is French police, Sebastian recalls practical wisdom (eat!), and random InstantPot banter. But more importantly, we catch up with our friend Sebastian.

Sorry folks - below is what was intended in the first emaill… Technology…errggh!

“Worship online” is a really a paradox. Worship is meant to be with one another, in one place, as one church family.

But what we’ve been doing for more than thirteen months is our next best thing…and for what it’s worth, it’s good.

To all of you who have been worshiping online together with us, Sundays at 9am, thank you. And I want to encourage you to continue to do so. It’s not easy, I know. The small screen, scratchy sound, the early mornings. But let’s not give up (virtually) meeting together. The sense of our presence together is together enough. I’m thankful for this.

To you who find it difficult to worship online, would you consider giving it a try? With all its limitations and deficiencies, we’re one body still. Our service is not spectacular, but we are together and earnest in our aim to give glory to God, confess our sins, hear and respond to the Word, and then go away transformed. I would love to have you jump on the call in an upcoming Sunday and worship together with us.

If you - or a friend - are interested, please fill out this Google Form and let me know. I’ll be in contact with you asap.