Saddened....

Sometimes things just happen in a way that is tragic. After being involved with some things with 4MYCanada I have been able to meet some of the different MP’s in the country. I never had the chance to meet Mr. Jack Layton, but I did respect him as an MP, and I honour him as one that made sacrifices to lead in Canada. I do have several differences in my political leanings than what he had, but I still find myself being sad by hearing the news of his passing away. He really was a passionate politician who knew how to connect with people, and knew how to make his little piece of the House of Commons make a lot of noise. And with this last election, he gained so much ground in becoming the official opposition in the House. Jack Layton was one that believed what he said and acted on it. As I walk to the Tim Horton’s to get my tea, all I keep hearing is people talking about Jack Layton. He was obviously very well-liked from all sides of the political spectrum. He seemed to take any opportunity to be in the face of the public. I listen regularly to CFRA where several of the radio shows are notoriously conservative, while Mr. Layton was more the socialist. He would call in, or be in studio if called upon.

I don’t know what Jack Layton was like from the perspective of his faith. I don’t know if he was a man of faith. But his life, and now death brings to mind something that we can all learn from. After this last election Jack Layton and the New Democrats were able to make the greatest advances in Canadian Parliament for that party, decimating the Liberal party, and being the official opposition, or the second largest party. This was HUGE! Mr. Layton had been able to lead a major advancement. He had battled prostate cancer. He was on a roll. But recently he came forward and announced that he had another kind of cancer. Many people noted how weak he looked in that announcement. It was tough to watch. And here we are today mourning the loss of this Member of Parliament.

This man had given his life for politics at various levels, and had made some big accomplishments, but look how life can be. All of the work he did is lost to him personally. What if I had been the one? What if I had worked so hard to get all of that, but had neglected my soul? All of what I had done would mean nothing.

In Mark chapter 8, Jesus says, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?”

Our lives are but vapours, and we are on the world stage for but a few moments compared to all of the other people that are on earth now, or have been on earth since Adam and Eve. What are you going to do with it? How will you spend your time? How will you treat people? We are here for so short a season, and those things that are invested in the kingdom of God are those things that will last. Spend your time investing in the things of God. Spend your time loving people. Spend your time moving for positive change. Don’t waste anything. Don’t waste any time. You only have so much of it.

My thoughts and prayers are with Olivia Chow and the family of Jack Layton. May other people follow your example in saying, this is what I believe in, this is who I am both in public and in private. Follow me towards the goal.