I read somewhere recently that when one finds themselves in a culture war (which we currently are), that the one thing (among a few) that we should avoid at all costs is to look like opportunists.
I think we all know what an opportunist is, but in case 4-syllable words are slightly above your education level, let me explain. An opportunist is someone who uses current situations (usually bad, but not always) to advance an ideology or a sale. Here’s an example:
Person 1: My widowed grandmother just passed away.
Person 2: Selling her car?
The reason why one wants to avoid appearing as an opportunist is largely because it is grossly insensitive. Speaking of insensitive: Wildfires have been raging in the Northwest Territories, threatening Yellowknife, and in British Columbia, threatening numerous towns, especially Kelowna. If you’ve been on social media, you can see videos of the devastation these fires have had on the respective populace. Homes have burnt to the ground, people have been evacuated and are now far away from their home. Yellowknife residents are in Edmonton.
We like to think Edmonton is in the Great White North. Look at a map: it’s almost the same distance from Edmonton to the Manitoba/Ontario border. It’s NOT close. In addition to the wildfires, floods are raging out east in Nova Scotia.
What can we do to help? Speaking about the fires and opportunists:
Underneath pictures of fires and floods, I have seen a number of ‘journalist’ types and politicians that have decided that amid the devastation, NOW would be a good time to advance the climate cult agenda on their social media pages. And it’s not just a couple people, but is rampant. Shame on you. I pray that those reading your abhorrent tweets and posts (no matter what side of the climate debate they may be on) will see you for what you are, heartless opportunists. May you come to a knowledge of repentance,
and by God’s grace, faith. Put your vitriol away for five minutes and pretend you care about these people.
As a first responder, I have seen up close and personal what natural disasters can do to people and their families, and their property. My immediate family was impacted by the floods in 2013. I went to Fort McMurray in 2016 to help with that disaster. I was in Waterton National Park in 2017 as the Kenow wildfire ripped through. The devastation caused by these disasters was immense. As the communities of Kelowna and Yellowknife are now dealing with wildfires, my heart goes out to them.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, gives us, as Christians, a template of what it means or what it should look like to walk as Christians. It reads “9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, [g] serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. [h] Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it [i] to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Christians are to have a certain decorum about them. When we take advantage during someone’s difficult situation, we are most definitely not displaying love, honour, patience, or kindness. We most assuredly are not contributing to their needs, but quite the opposite. Is this what Jesus did? Not at all.
To those affected by these disasters, my prayers and tears are with you.
Pastor Chris
Covenant Presbyterian Church 