God amist the concrete!

I am going to send you what my Father has promised;

but stay in the city until you have been clothed

with power from on high.

About 10 years ago I attended a conference in Memphes titled "The City of God" which was about how important is was for the church to continue ministering in the city. The above text from Luke was the theme scriptural passage. I was reminded of that as I walked around in downtown Toronto being conscious and aware of God's presence.

The city is made up of concrete, skyscapers, hustle and bustle, traffic, streetcars and a lot of people coming and going. It's not hard, though, to recognize God in the midst of all that makes urban Toronto what it is. God is present in the city; God is visible; God is active; God is alive!

There are lots of green spaces throughout the city with flowers growing in well tended gardens; people want to assist others with various causes like helping mothers and their babies, those affected with AIDS, those living with cancer or heart disease; there are church spires that stand out amidst the glass buildings that surround them; there are worshippers who gather in those churches; God is there too in the every day life of people coming and going; in the community where people gather to play chess.

God is there in the poor as well. That may sound odd; we often say that the church brings God to the poor, and that is part of our ministry of servanthood. However, there is much for us to receive from the poor as we recognize Christ in them as much as Christ is in us. We hopefully are a blessing to them; they are equally a blessing to us.

The next time you find yourself in an urban area, wherever that may be, be open to God revealed there for you and give thanks for that moment of grace in your day.

Let us build the city of God

May our tears be turned into dancing

For the Lord our light and our love

Has turned the night into day!