Reflections by Rev. Grant Dawson

Some thoughts on unknowability

In 1970, I was assigned for the summer to the Peers-Pella Pastoral Charge, north of Highway 16 on the road up to White Court. As a city boy from Ontario, this move to a very small town in Alberta was a true adventure. And one of the highlights of that appointment was a trip with the Rev. Dick Warden, from Edson, through the mountains to Calgary to attend the meeting of Conference. While there I took a series of pictures from the top of the Calgary Tower. 

We left the gathering early as Dick warned me that the Sunday service was in “an old barn of a church in downtown Calgary”. And he assured me that we would have more fun back home.

At that time, I never imagined that six years later I would be moving to this distant, exotic city and the “old barn of a church,” Knox. Nor did I think that I would still be here in the science fiction future of 2024. In fact, in my panoramic shots from the tower that day the only area I did not photograph was the downtown segment that would have given me an image of Knox. (I suppose that the closest I came was in that shot of the York Hotel, standing on the original Knox United site, before 1913 when they moved out to the suburbs on 6th Avenue.)

So often we expend so much time and energy worrying and fretting about the future—near and distant, only to discover that, in the majority of cases, what is to come is totally different from what we imagined.

Yes, we should plan for the days ahead to the best of our ability. We should set goals and dream dreams. But it is wise to remember that ultimately the future is in the hands of God and remains unknowable. Let’s stay emotionally attached to the present, creating and enjoying this moment, knowing that whatever we shall encounter in the coming days will find us still dwelling in the spiritual strength we are experiencing now.

Grant

A Prayer 

Present Spirit, here are my plans for today….

As I pursue them, remind me to do my best, and support me when I don’t.

Open me to new paths and ideas when I insist on just trudging thoughtlessly along.

Keep my eyes open to see those in need and my heart focused on what actions will create love.

Calm me when I am frustrated and sustain me when I tire.

This is the day that you have made. Help me to live fully and joyfully in it.

Amen.