Blessing to the Nations

Every July 1st, Canadians celebrate their nation with Canada Day. Similar to July 4th in the U.S. in how it is celebrated, people are in the mood for picnics, barbecues, get-togethers and fireworks. However, it is interesting to consider this holiday in Canada calendar of annual celebrations.

The nation of Canada was officially organized in the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867, ruled by Great Britain and its monarchy from across the Atlantic. It wasn't until 1982 that Canada signed its Constitution Act to officially render it an independent country. In the intervening years Canada Day was called Dominion Day.

Canada has such a diverse population, and Edmonton definitely reflects this diversity. Nearly daily we are amidst people who have immigrated to Canada from nations far and wide. In the past several weeks the nations we have been in conversation with are Chinese-Canadian, native Albertan Canadian, Serbian-Canadian, Libyan-Canadian, Italian, Ukrainian and British Columbian-Canadian. Over 150,000 people become Canadian citizens every year, many of them on Canada Day.

Just thinking about the concept of "dominion" and how Canada celebrated its incorporation under Britain's rule across the ocean made me think of how we are called to be here in this world as Christians. We are to be dominated by Jesus Christ (in Latin dominus is the term for Lord or Master) and as He is on His throne ruling the universe, and we are awaiting His bodily reign here on the earth, we are to celebrate His Lordship in our lives by living peacefully under His direction.

The nations around us, the people who do not yet know His rule, whether they are native to our land or not, are awaiting the blessing of Jesus and His saving work of redemption at the cross. We are thankful to be here and to have the daily privilege to let the blessing of God flow through us to the nations around us.

Happy Canada Day!!