We just want to say thank you to all of our friends who have volunteered and signed up to walk in Coldest Night of the Year, in addition to the donors whose generosity thus far has been heart-warming. CNOY is tremendously important to us both as a major source of funding and as a way of highlighting the reality that poverty and homelessness are real problems in our communities. The homeless, the hurting and the hungry aren’t an inconvenience to be minimized; they are human beings to be engaged, and treated with respect and dignity.
As a Christian organization, we know we’re flying in the face of our culture. Not just because Canada is in so many ways a post-Christian culture, but because the gospel message is counter-cultural, challenging even the assumptions and values associated with Christian cultures. Scripture teaches us that people are made in God’s image, and that while human choice is what has led to our problems, God is not one to point the finger, saying, “You made your bed, now lie in it.” Instead he’s the God who seeks and saves the lost. As scripture says,
“Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:7-8).
So on February 21st, let’s let our actions echo those of Jesus who set aside his comfort for the sake of another. Let’s all put on our funny looking toques and walk together for those who don’t deserve God’s love, because we know that we don’t either, and yet, Christ died for us.