Spiritual Fruit Flies

Spiritual Fruit Flies

By Chantal Huinink

Summer is also fruit fly season. I make a substantial effort to keep the kitchen clean and keep sweet things sealed in the cupboards and refrigerator. Nevertheless, it seems that fruit flies appear out of nowhere! Even if there is only a few it seems like they multiply to abundance instantaneously. Sometimes I manage to get rid of the vast majority, but somehow there is always a small number that manage to stick around and repopulate. Even if I'm not sure how, I know they're being fed somewhere in my home.

“and do not give the devil a foothold” – Ephesians 4:27

The sin in our lives could be compared to my summer fruit fly infestation. That is, if we are harboring sin anywhere in our hearts we may be inadvertently feeding the Devil’s desires for us. No one is perfect, but it is important that we do what we can to avoid spiritual fruit flies and prevent them from multiplying as much as possible.

A wise sister in the faith recently recommended the following prayer to me:

"Lord, please clean the crumbs of sin from my heart and make sure that the devil has nothing to snack on within me."

Repentance of the small things should not be a sign of weakness or discouragement, but rather an opportunity for restoration and freedom.

A Relational Lesson

The following blog is written by Chantal Huinink.  She is a student who is doing a student placement with us.  She is currently pursuing a double masters program in social work and divinity at Wilfred Laurier University.  We are so glad to have her with us.  This is her introduction blog.  - Mark Wallace

A Relational Lesson

By Chantal Huinink

Recently a colleague told me about a visit to a group home to fulfill administrative responsibilities. While she was there one of the residents remarked, "You're my friend right... So you are here to visit me? And only me?” Following this woman's earnest expression of her desire to spend time together, my coworker then adapted her plans so that she could socially engage with her for a while.

There are important lessons to be learned from this interaction. First, many of the people we serve desire relational development as much or more than the physical and spiritual support they receive. Second, God calls us to love everyone as we love ourselves [Mat 19:19]. However, many, if not all people seek affirmation and appreciation of who we are as individuals. Furthermore we treasure special bonds with specific people who connect with us uniquely. In the virtual world of e-mail and texting it can be hard to give human relationships the attention they deserve. 

Similarly, there is no disputing that fellowship and community are extremely valuable aspects of church life that can serve our spiritual, social and emotional well-being. However, I wonder if there are times when God wants to affirm that you are there to spend time with Him and only Him.

“Be still, and know that I am God, I will be exalted by the nations, I will be exhausted in the earth.” - Psalm 46:10

Spiritual Dyslexia

By Chantal Huinink

Recently, a trusted assistant and friend of mine became ill and had to take a leave of absence. I was not anticipating this and it left me feeling lost and confused. I was particularly concerned for my assistant because her illness came as a shock to us both. I was also worried for myself because I had very little time to find a new assistant to support me at work. I recognize now that among other things, this challenge was for me, an exercise in trusting God, that He would provide for my needs. Sure as ever, He fulfilled my need with perfect timing and I was able to bless another wonderful assistant and friend of mine with a new work experience and fulfill her need for additional work.

When arrangements fall into place, I am inclined to assume that it was by divine intervention and that the positive results must be God's will. Conversely, I become frustrated when I assume that something was God's will and yet I encounter unexpected challenges. In certain circumstances, when things don't work out it may be because God is trying to lead us on a different path. Alternatively, he may be developing perseverance and other strengths of character.

Sometimes I experience intense anxiety when I simply have no idea what God has planned. I have learned that at these times it is important to remember that even when something catches us by surprise, it comes as no surprise to God. In fact, He has ordained our every step. 

Psalm 16:5-6 “Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.”(NIV)

Who's Holding Your Paintbrush?

Who's Holding Your Paintbrush?

By Chantal Huinink

A friend and I were recently discussing the challenges associated with surrendering full control of our lives over to God. She encouraged me to continually surrender not only my faith life and church involvement, but my work, social interactions, and future aspirations, etc., through the following analogy. Each of our lives is like a giant paint canvas and the question is who is holding your paintbrush? 

When we try to control our lives, it is as though we are gripping our paintbrush. Conversely, when we surrender control to God, it is as though we are giving Him our paintbrush.  God is the most talented artist of all! He's the only one that can make everything He touches beautiful. Therefore, it is in our best interest to allow Him to have control over our lives and the choices we make. 

When we give the Lord control over small areas of our lives, those areas will become beautiful. When we only allow God to work in particular areas, it is like limiting the space that God has to work with on our canvas. He will make the spaces we surrender to him completely beautiful. The more areas that we surrender the more broad and beautiful his strokes will become on our life canvas and the more evident his work will be. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” – 2 Cor 5:17 (NIV)

 It is often a struggle to give God control over all areas of our lives but this step of faith will undoubtedly be socially, emotionally, and spiritually fruitful.

God’s Plan is Better than Mine

God’s Plan is Better than Mine 

By Chantal Huinink 

I can be characterized as having a type A personality. I have commitments at school, work, and church as well as many schedules to coordinate with respect to attendant care. My life often requires that I live according to a schedule. However, recently I have come to terms with the fact that planning everything is over-rated.

If you are like me, the line between what is your responsibility and what you trust God to provide is a difficult one to draw. Often regardless of how much I plan or how much I pray, I continue to struggle with worries about issues big and small. What if my assistant does not show up on time? What if my chair breaks down while I am traveling? What if I cannot finish my assignment by the due date? What if… 

Recently, I read “The Orthodox Heretic: And Other Impossible Tales” by Peter Rollins, which contains many nuggets of wisdom. One short story resonated with me. In this story an old man’s wisdom amounted to realizing that 50% of his life's worries never actually materialized.

Since hearing that story a friend of mine traveled to Central America. He said the most profound thing that he learned there, was that people did not worry about the past or the future. Instead, they put their best efforts into the day's work and enjoyed the time beyond that in fellowship of family and friends. Then I began to consider all the typical things I have planned over the years and it occurred to me that the routines that I have instilled have had comparatively little impact on me becoming who God wants me to be. Rather, it is often the unexpected meetings or unforeseen circumstances that have the most profound spiritual impacts. I could never have planned to go to a doctor's appointment and end up volunteering at the same hospital for the following six years. Likewise, I did not intend to meet a group of Christian musicians who would become lifelong friends while a friend and I were on vacation. More recently, I became bitter when I did not graduate from my degree on schedule yet this seemingly disappointing glitch led to my involvement with Joni and Friends ministries and my wonderful connection to Christian horizons.

Those who fail to plan are not necessarily planning to fail. Instead they may be planning for God to move in their lives. God's perspective is far greater than ours and our plans fail only when He has something more fruitful in store for us. Therefore, if you are coping with disappointment, bring your concerns to God and trust that His plans for your life are far greater than you could ever imagine.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” ~Isaiah 55:9

Developing a Heart of Worship

By Chantal Huinink

If you have been practicing spiritual disciplines or church rituals in the same manner for quite some time you may feel as though you are “just going through the motions”. In such circumstances the verse, which says “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5) may convict you, particularly if you feel as though your worship has become robotic.

In my own faith journey I sometimes struggle to find words or ways to maintain a high level of enthusiasm when things become routine. Sometimes I attend different church services or special events. This often leads to further challenges because if I do not know the songs or liturgies in advance, I cannot engage to the same extent as my limitations make it difficult, if not impossible, to read at the same speed as the congregation or read and sing simultaneously. In addition, special events may produce short-term exuberance but you may find, as I have, that this does not last. In contrast, I was sitting in church recently singing songs that I had sung multiple times and speaking liturgies that I had heard time and time again, when it occurred to me that the repetitive nature of these rituals means that I do not need to put as much effort into them, but, instead it allows them to flow from my soul. Furthermore, the fact that I know them well accommodates my visual challenges and enables me to participate to the fullest extent possible.

It is important that the worship that we participate in comes from our hearts. I do not want to sing songs that are familiar just because they are easier, however, the fact that they come naturally is not necessarily a negative thing. Rather, the automaticity of our praise could be a source of spiritual strength, which may represent a sense of value and long-term commitment that I believe the Lord desires from us.

Go to the Top

By Chantal Huinink

Have you ever been dissatisfied with a product that you purchased. Under such circumstances you might decide to return to the store. You begin describing the problem to a sales associate and he directs you to customer service. The customer service representative is polite and compassionate toward your concerns but explained that she does not have the authority to replace your product or refund your money. She agrees to get the manager for you. Upon explaining the problems to the manager he gladly exchanges your product and also offers you a coupon for next time.

Often our approach to life’s problems is very similar to the scenario above. That is, we expect that our colleagues, our friends, or our pastor will provide a solution without even thinking to seek the Lord's wisdom. It is healthy and important to seek the support of friends and pastors when we are struggling but it is important to remember to approach the Lord and listen for His voice especially in difficult or confusing times of our lives. God is the one with the ultimate authority to change our lives or change our understanding of the circumstances. The most supportive friends are those that direct us to Him.

“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” ~Psalm 55:22

The Fruit of Dependence That Grows in Communities

By Chantal Huinink

You may understand that no one is an island or even that there are benefits in working with others. After all isn't it common knowledge that two heads are better than one but chances are you minimize the extent to which you depend on others. This may be due in part to a need to control the outcome but it's probably also significantly related to the need to ensure that you are not a burden on others. As it says in 1 Corinthians 21-23 “The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the members of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and those members of the body that we think less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable members are treated with greater respect”.  The eye cannot say to the ear I will need you and the ear cannot say I don't need you.  In today's culture we may be more likely to say something like I don't need you… Very much or I need you but please don't feel obligated to help me.

We misunderstand dependence as akin to increasing the hardship or burden s of others. From there we often wonder, how sharing our burdens or increasing the hardship of others possibly glorify God or benefit the community. The truth is that similar to the old adage, one man's junk is another man's treasure, the things that we view as burdens often have the power to bless others. For example, you may feel like an ill-equipped worship leader with the gift to sing but not play an instrument. From your point of view it may seem like a burden to propose that members of the congregation play instruments so that you can focus on singing. Yet by inviting others that you know are musically talented you are edifying the gifts of others and encouraging them to be used in a meaningful way. Similarly, why would the woman in the wheelchair teach Sunday school if she needs an assistant in the classroom. Perhaps there is a member of the church who loves children but does not feel qualified to prepare Sunday school lessons. In this case both individuals would be afforded an opportunity to serve.  Every “weakness” present in someone is an opportunity for someone else to use their gifts.  If there is a person who does not seem capable of making a contribution to our community it shows we do not know them well enough.  As the verse says no matter how they seem they are “indispensable”.  We may not ever know how they were used in this life but we are all needed.

By depending on others we remind ourselves that we cannot do it alone. We allow others to feel needed. We benefit from the development of such gifts and ultimately become more like Christ as we gain a fuller perspective on who God is, based on the different talents that he has given to each of us.

The Fruits of Dependence That Grow in Individuals

By Chantal Huinink

I think the allure of independence often stems from a desire to protect ourselves from vulnerability.  We might believe that if we can accomplish everything on our own, then we will be in control and if we are in control, then we can prevent things from going wrong. In actuality I would suggest that the opposite is more  true. In my experience, having five personal care assistants makes me less vulnerable because instead of solely taking responsibility for my own well-being this responsibility is shared amongst the six of us. Furthermore, when things go wrong there are six brains and 12 hands to attend to the matter.

Ultimately, God wants us to recognize that we need to depend on him. It can be hard to fully grasp this idea in a country that was in fact founded on independence and a culture that prides itself on individualism. However, we have the example of the community in Acts 4:32 where it says “Now the whole group of those who believed was of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common.” Following, this, in Acts 4:35 it says “They laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.”(NRSV)

 In my own life, I think I have found it easier to trust God because I am used to relying on other people. Often times I must trust others to assist me with self-care before I know them well. I know that it might seem preferable the other way around but surprisingly I have found that the more you trust someone the more quickly you come to know their true character and the more faithful they have the opportunity to be. It seems to me, that our walk with God follows a similar pattern. Meaning that the more we endeavor to trust the Lord, the easier it may become to understand his way and the more his faithfulness will become evident to us.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”(Proverbs 3:5–6 NRSV)