Divine Ownership: Surrendering All to God

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
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— Colossians 1:16

My journey with TCM began when I reached out via a cold email. I was interested in volunteering in their EPIC program because I wanted to be actively involved in the community. Due to timing, I had a couple of months to think about committing after speaking with TCM. I started getting cold feet because the site was a bit far from me and I had no way of getting there as my car hadn’t arrived yet, having been on the waitlist for 1.5 years. One random night, I prayed and asked God to show me if this was where He wanted me to serve in this season. The next day, I got an email from TCM asking if I was still interested in volunteering in the fall. Despite not having a means of transportation, I accepted in obedience and believed that this was from God. Three weeks later, I received confirmation that my car had finally arrived just in time for volunteering! His timing is perfect, He is perfect.

The children at Flemingdon Park have taught me a lot just by interacting with them. My focus is strongly oriented towards education and the child that I’m currently tutoring has shown me that simply spending time with them consistently and with undivided attention is what they need. I’ve learned to be their friend.

Throughout my time volunteering at TCM, I’ve experienced God in so many ways. I see His love through the children, outreach workers, and other volunteers. God has reminded me that materialistic things don’t matter, everyone’s biggest longing is to be loved unconditionally and only God can satisfy us.

I love that I get to pray for the children and know what’s going on in their lives. I get to pray for the outreach workers and they get to pray for me. The life I live is not about me (Galatians 2:20). Everything we have belongs to God, whether it’s our careers, possessions, skills, or time. Our hearts belong to God. It’s everyone’s calling to do God’s work- to be workers in the harvest field (Matthew 9:35-38; Ephesians 2:10). When we stop focusing on ourselves, God will show us the bigger picture. We’re just distracted right now.

The Joy of Following

Written by: Carmen Tan | Outreach Worker in Kingston-Galloway

Scripture: Genesis 5:32-10:1

This semester, we have been diving into God’s word, learning about how Jesus has been present from the beginning to the end of the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, everything points towards a Saviour who will come rescue God’s people. 

One of my favourite testaments is the story of Noah - a story of a new beginning. The children have learned sin entered the world, it corrupted our perfect relationship with God and we’ve been trying to find a way back with God again. God cannot tolerate evil and wickedness yet at the same time, God was deeply troubled to see all this evilness in the world. 

God chose Noah to restart the world. Noah didn’t do anything special but God found favour in Noah because of his faithfulness. 

I admire Noah very much. He was a man of God who trusted and obeyed the Lord. He was God’s faithful servant. We learned Jesus was even more faithful serving God and carrying out what God has called Him to do. 

As I reflect on my personal life, I find the times I have found the most joy is being with God. Learning to trust in the Lord, when God calls you to come, obeying and faithfully serving. Trusting we are in good hands because God is a God who cares, who takes care of all our needs, and knows best. 

To become faithful servants, we need to learn to surrender our own plans and trusting we are in good hands. 

Happy New Year from Toronto City Mission!

Written By: Elliott Shin | Executive Director

Over the past couple of weeks, you have probably heard numerous people talk about their new year’s resolutions. Experts on television or social media may have made bold predictions for the upcoming year. Further, your Pastor or others around you may have talked about their hopes for a better, safer, healthier, more peaceful, and God-focused 2022. 

Irrespective of how you are feeling as we begin 2022, we pray that this coming year may be a time filled with joy, excitement, celebration, triumphs, and big and small victories. However, above all else, we hope that this year will be a season where you are able to put time, attention, and importance on your personal relationship with God!

Although our year has started with a partial lockdown due to higher Covid 19 infections, Toronto City Mission is hopeful, grateful, optimistic, and eager to discover the plans God has set out for us. We understand that we love, value, and engage in our communities not from our own personal agendas and perspectives, but rather from the wonderful and flawless plans that God has set out for us.

We take heart to Colossians 4:5, “ be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” We know that God will present us with abundant opportunities to value, love, and be His witness to those we serve, but often we let them slip away because we lack the wisdom to see them for what they are.  Join us as we pray that this coming year, we will be blessed with the wisdom to be able to take full advantage of every opportunity that comes our way. 

“Faith never knows where it is being led, but it loves and knows the One who is leading.” (Oswald Chambers-My Utmost for His Highest). On behalf of the staff and board of Toronto City Mission, allow me to take this occasion to thank you for your continued prayers and support of our ministry. Wishing you a year where your love for the Lord grows leaps and bounds!

In His Service,
Elliott Shin

God’s Creation

By: Elliott Shin | Executive Director

God had given Adam and Eve dominion over creation but because of their sin, their reign over creation could not come to pass. Although sin ravaged the world, the hope of the world was born and His name was Jesus. He is known as the second and last Adam. Jesus was sent to be the ruler over the earth, to rule better than anyone that was before Him, to rule better than Adam ever did. Christ is ultimately in control over His creation, over the current state of the world and we can continue to put our hope in Him.

Elliott Shin, our Executive Director, has written a blog about his view on creation. Check it out below:

“Over the past couple of years, the Covid 19 pandemic has taught us a lot about the wonderments of science. Scientists and other folks in the medical field have demonstrated expertise and tremendous skill as they have identified this new coronavirus, have established and designed therapies and treatments for this new disease, and in record time have developed and administered vaccines that work safely!

However, in these divided and differentiated times, science has also shown that it cannot lessen and minimize anger, provide forgiveness for each other, build respect with those we disagree with and have deep compassion for others. In other words, science in all its marvels cannot provide us with hope, only our faith can.

Billy Graham noted that “When we fail to see the world as God’s creation, we will end up abusing it. Selfishness and greed take over, and we end up not caring about the environment or the problems we are creating for future generations.”  Furthermore, the Psalmist David teaches us “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1). 

Here in Canada, we are blessed with 4 seasons, and as each season comes forth, we are reminded of the incredible beauty of creation. From the bright colours of the fall to the lush green of the spring and summer to the radiant sunsets and snow-capped mountains in the winter, we are reminded of the magnificence of creation. As people of faith, we know that the beauty we see around us is created by God, and as such the world belongs to Him. Because of this, we are commanded to be good wardens and custodians of His majesty.  So rather than disregard, abandon, or harm it, we are asked to love and take care of it. Further, let us always be cognisant of Billy Graham’s important reminder of keeping creation for future generations. That we see the world as God’s creation and avoid being greedy and abusing it.

Of course, we need to be respectful and adhere to the causes of climate change, and be learned with other environmental issues. However, as with Covid 19, our hope does not rest on science only, but it rests deeply and widely on Jesus. Romans 8:19-22 teaches that creation is eagerly waiting on Christ to “be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.” In other words, until the return of Christ it is imperative that we continue to be good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted to our care, but ultimately God is in control, and our hope rests on Him. It is Christ who will bring hope to creation and to our world.

Amen!”

Blessed are the Poor in Spirit

By: Dorothy Wong | Manager of Operations

A few years ago, it was common to hear young people say “blessed” or post #blessed when they received or experienced something good.  It may be getting their favourite drink or spending time with friends.  However, it would be very unlikely that you would see a post about someone facing life challenges or financial difficulties ending their post with #blessed.

So why does Jesus begin the sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:3 NIV) with “blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom.”?  Perhaps the NLT translation can help us understand better what it means to be poor in spirit.  “Those who are poor and realize their need for him.”  So anyone who is lacking (which I may be bold saying is all of us) and that because of our limitation, we need God.  This may be the most important acknowledgment for anyone of the Christian faith.  We need to recognize that we are sinners, that we are not perfect, and in order for us to have a relationship with a perfect God, we need Him to make things right for us.  

Oftentimes, when things are going well and we don’t have any immediate needs, we tend to focus more on ourselves and just go through life without any real dependence on God or anyone else.  Yes, we can also say that in times of trouble, we can also focus on ourselves and the barriers before us and not look to God or others.  However, it is in those times that we generally will reach out to God for help.  So it is out of our poverty that we are able to find our greatest Treasure.

It is our hope that the families that we walk along with will recognize that they can find hope in God.  That despite their financial poverty they have a God who wants to bless them.  Not with things of this world but of things unseen.  We are blessed when we have a right relationship with God.  We are blessed because we have been redeemed by the blood of Christ and have the gift of eternal life.  Even though our time here on this earth is only temporary we are blessed because He is right there with us during our joys and sorrows.

This also reminds us (me) that in God’s eyes there is no differentiation between those that have or have not.  We all need Him.  So we are not the saviors going into communities impacted by poverty to make things right.  We are simply broken people that have found hope in Jesus, a people with a passion to share this hope with a community that is also broken, and to build up Christ-followers that will transform their community with this hope.

Has there been a time in your life when you experienced God’s goodness in the midst of a challenging time?  Write this experience down and use it as a reminder of God’s promise to bless those who are poor in spirit, when you face a difficult time in the future.