3 minute read
From The Editor
Eric Ollila, Communication/IT/Media Director Alberta Conference
DEAR ALBERTA CONFERENCE FAMILY AND FRIENDS:
COVID-19. Think back with me one year ago. What were you doing? With whom did you live or spend the majority of your time? Where did you work? What was important in your life? What plans were you making for this year and your future? Were you happy or fulfilled?
Compare that with today. What has changed? Has your answer to any of these questions changed?
For most of you reading this article, I would assume a mixture of things have either changed or stayed the same in your life. When I look back a year ago, I see a few things that were the same as last year on my calendar.
There are a few items that haven't changed too much from last year. I think of some of the long-term goals for which I have been aiming at home, work, and in my personal life. Many of those seem to be on track.
However, significant disruption has occurred to several short-term goals and plans in my life.
Annual travel plans experienced total annihilation for my family and me.
COVID-19 has made it difficult to visit family living in the United States and return without mandatory isolation. Even traveling around to the different churches in the Conference and preaching has all been disrupted.
The people with whom I live have changed. Last year, our household consisted of my wife, daughter, and me. This year, we have added our niece and nephew (ages 4 and 5, respectively). They both came to stay with us in February, right before COVID-19 hit. Due to COVID-19 and the US/Canada border restrictions and some other factors, both children are still with us.
Numerous other short-term plans and goals experienced radical disruption and delay. Some of them have caused awkward circumstances and placed tremendous pressure on our family — my wife and me individually. Maybe some of you have also experienced some severe, life-altering changes since COVID-19 hit.
COVID-19 and all its attending circumstances on our world and lives have helped me realize, in a new way, what I want in life. It has helped peel away some of those outer layers of distraction. It has given the clarity of vision on the core of what I want. It has helped me realize that most of the things I've considered a permanent fixture of life are merely human inventions and can vanish overnight.
COVID-19 and the shut-down that we all experienced globally confirmed that even my notions of what "church" means needed a reality check.
What I want in life can be nicely summarized with a Bible verse: “You will show me the path of life. In Your presence, there is fulness of joy; at your right hand, there are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11, personal translation). I want to be in God's presence. I want Him to show me the path of life. And I want to experience the fullness of joy and pleasures that God offers forever.
In times of uncertainty, disease, and death, what better confidence can you have than to know God is showing you the path of life? In times of isolation and aloneness, what better comfort can you have than to know God is present with you? And in times of sadness, disappointed hopes, disrupted goals, and extended delays, what better hope can you have than to know that the God in whose presence you dwell provides the fullness of joy and pleasures forever? For me, that is a beautiful promise, and I am thankful for it.
In this edition of Alberta Adventist News Magazine, we wanted to point your eyes to Jesus — to give you hope, not in this world or anything dependent upon us as humans, but in Jesus. I hope you will spend some time on this issue, reading the devotion and features: The President's Message and the various updates and news from the schools and churches.
We have also included the new branding manual for the Alberta Conference, which is currently leading the way in this regard by undertaking to rebrand the entire Conference.
Please check it out. We think you'll enjoy it.
