Back to school, back to school...

September 1st again! Sweet summer has once again come and gone and now everyone’s switching gears to go back to school or work. Around our apartment I’m the only one who isn’t going back to school but for some reason I still feel like I am. September always reminds me of how much there is to learn AND it feels like a fresh start…even more so than the new year usually. For many students this is a time of leaving home and experiencing a new type of independence. If you’re going to school, especially in a place like Toronto, you’re probably experiencing an onslaught of new ideas, cultures and philosophies. The temptation to try stuff and experiment is overwhelming! I just want to encourage Christians here for a moment. Find a church. Simple as that. You will have a bazillion of excuses why you can’t be part of the local church at this time but having a body of believers speaking truth to you consistently is what will help you navigate through the ideas that will be thrown at you. It’s when you step away from the church and start trying to “think for yourself” that you‘ll start to feel distanced from God. Don’t over-estimate your own godliness or spiritual strength at this time…we all tend to be weaker than we think and Satan is stronger than we think.

Proverbs 18 :1 “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgement.”

John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

It’s God's goodness and grace to us that we have the church. We’re not alone in a world that contradicts the gospel so seek out fellowship! Encourage others and be encouraged. Sorry if I just stated the obvious in this post..but life is surprising and sometimes we have to go back to the basics.