The musings of a pastor
An occupational hazard faced by many members of the clergy is that people frequently seek our opinion on matters about which we are glaringly ignorant. What makes it worse is that often we provide it.
It’s an interesting phenomenon that clergy are expected to know something about everything. I’m always baffled by the look on someone’s face when they ask my thoughts on a particular issue and I shrug my shoulders and say, “I haven’t got a clue.” It’s as if I, as a representative of God, have just let them down by not knowing.
Better the disappointment than spouting off on topics about which I know nothing. One friend who possesses good insight and great humour often says, “I think I better stop talking. I’ve already told you more than I know.”
With that disclaimer, let me carefully share my opinions on several topics about which I possess no particular expertise. You can call them, “the musings of a preacher.”
The first target of my musing is in follow-up to a column written several weeks ago concerning the fentanyl crisis. Since then, a highly- publicized court case concluded with a judge excluding evidence which resulted in a guilty drug trafficker going free. The man was caught red-handed with 27,500 fentanyl pills. The reason for the dismissal of charges was the judge’s finding that the man’s rights had been violated during the search.
A local legal expert has since written a defense of the judge, demonstrating that the law demanded such a finding. I am not a legal expert. Rather, I am one of the “uninformed” members of the public described by the lawyer. Nevertheless, let me offer my conclusion.
According to current law and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms the legal experts and the judge are most likely correct. Big deal. My position is that uninformed or not, I do not want the kinds of laws and charters that allow a man dealing 27,500 poisonous pills to go free.
I call again on Jusitn Trudeau to lead a charge to change the law, to change the Charter if necessary to prevent this kind of lawlessness from flourishing. Perhaps the individual’s rights were violated. Much worse is the fact that by setting him free the rights and freedom of the entire nation were violated.
The ancient Book of Proverbs puts it this way: “Good people can’t stand the sight of deliberate evil; the wicked can’t stand the sight of well-chosen goodness.”
A topic that’s increasingly attracting my attention these days is our global climate crisis. I do not possess a scientific mind and don’t pretend to understand the intricacies of ozone deterioration and global warming.
What I do understand is that God commissioned us with the responsibility of caring for our earth, an earth that He called very good when He made it.
It seems to me that instead of finding loopholes in emission control standards, Christians ought to be leading the way to ensure that our lifestyle contributes to the best possible care of our planet. It’s not only for our sake, but the sake of our children. It also demonstrates respect for our Creator.
One final rambling. One of my favorite authors once wrote a short story following the near drowning of his little girl. As he hugged her emotionally he described his emotions this way.
He said, “I don’t ever want to allow something this precious to become common place.” He’s caused me to question, “What am I taking for granted?”
Throughout this recent cold snap I have been reminded again how incredibly privileged I am. I have a furnace that works. I have friends who will assist if I’m in need. I have hot food to eat. I pray I never take for granted the precious gifts God gives me.
Musings have a tendency to take one in many different directions. Each time I muse I quickly recognize how little I know about many important topics. I guess that’s one more reason I need God.
Tim Schroeder is pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Kelowna.