The Church remains alive precisely for a time such as this.
For anyone who loves to study the human condition, grocery shopping can be a rich feast.
As we spend more time online and indoors, the supermarket is one of the few remaining opportunities to see the general population in a public setting. Although an increasing number of people are relying on online shopping, most people still do it in person. It’s the closest thing we have to the village square.
I see a smorgasbord of human activity:
- Single people with neat lists carefully searching for exactly what they need.
- Well-adjusted couples of all ages enjoying time together, almost like a date night.
- Lonely older adults using walkers or in scooters (some of whom really should not be alone for their own safety) who are valiantly trying to remain independent.
- Old friends who bump into each other and engage in joyful conversation.
- Type ‘A’ personalities with pained expressions as they navigate around oblivious dreamers in their own little world.
- Cashiers and customers who enjoy playful banter with strangers.
Lately, though, I’ve seen a darker side. The sharp increase in the price of groceries in recent years is depressing. The coffee aisle is ground zero. It’s an essential staple for many of us. But $25 for a can of coffee that was $9.99 a few years ago? It gives dark roast a new meaning.
No wonder the cost of living is far and away the top issue for the average Canadian. A recent poll found 62 per cent rank it No. 1, with the economy at 40 percent.
We are increasingly divided (if not polarized) and fewer things add up or make sense. Something is seriously wrong with the equation.
We live in extraordinary times – and it’s more than just inflation.
- The exponential pace of change. Simply, the human mind, psyche, body and spirit were created for linear change. Any change is stressful, even the positive. For thousands of years, we plodded along with few technological changes in a typical lifetime. Things started to speed up after the industrial revolution and went into warp speed during the information age. Now, in the dawn of artificial intelligence, we spend a lot of time online, where we don’t know what’s real.
- The national fertility rate. In 2024 it was 1.25 children per woman, far below the 2.1 required in developed countries for population maintenance. Far and away the biggest reason reproductive-age adults choose not to procreate is economics: 39 per cent cite financial limitations. Other significant factors include insecurity (21%), housing (19%), concerns about the future/climate change (14%) and difficulty conceiving (12%).
- Overall, we’re sad. Last week, the annual World Happiness Report ranked Canada 25th on its list of happiest countries. Canada was ranked 6th when the Index was first published in 2013 and it remained at that level for a few years before falling to 7th, then 9th then 11th in 2020, 15th in 2022 and 18th in 2024.
- Gen ‘Z’ is depressed. Among the least happy people are those in their teens and 20s. The insane rise in the cost of real estate is a big reason. A whopping 93% of 18–29-year-olds and 87% among 30–44-year-olds are concerned about the affordability of buying a home, according to Abacus Data in a December 2025 survey for the Canadian Home Builders’ Association. At the same time, older gens, many of whom paid relatively little for their homes, are sitting pretty if they’re mortgage free. The gap is huge.
- Political polarization. While we don’t have the same level of visceral hate we see in the U.S. between liberals and conservatives, there is a growing level of mutual animosity between those on the opposite ends of the political spectrum. The election of Avi Lewis as the Leader of the federal New Democratic Party this week won’t help. Avi describes himself as an “anti-capitalist” and has proposed a full-on socialist agenda: a national cap on rent and public ownership of telecommunication companies and – yes – grocery stores. This leap to the left is countered by a jump to the right by younger demographics. Polls are finding younger generations more likely to lean conservative in their politics. Since last year’s federal election, the average 21-year-old Canadian is more inclined to vote Conservative than the average Boomer or older Gen X. Many younger gens are showing an affinity for the good old days long before they were born. We’ve rarely seen this before. It’s the exact reversal of the 1960s and 1970s.
Putting all of this together, we are increasingly divided (if not polarized) and fewer things add up or make sense. Something is seriously wrong with the equation.
The solution, as always, is Jesus. He always has been the answer. We don’t see it because we are so fixated on ourselves.
Politicians, philosophers and pundits all have their solutions. But when we are this far apart, there really is no hope on a human level. New political regimes will just deepen the division. We are incapable of fixing ourselves.
The solution, as always, is Jesus. He always has been the answer. We don’t see it because we are so fixated on ourselves.
I wonder, though, if we are seeing signs of an awakening. People tend to seek help only when they have reached the end of the road and they have nothing else in the toolbox. Many are starting to reach that point.
When Christ is in the spirits of citizens in general, we treat our neighbours like family, not out of legal obligation but out of love and compassion.
For years now, evangelicals in North America have been actively preparing for the Next Great Awakening. Some organizations, such as Presbyterian-Reformed Ministries International/Dunamis Fellowship Canada have been shouting it from the mountaintops. Some are more low key. Just Google the term for a plethora of opinions.
As the world becomes increasingly polarized politically and as the gap between rich and poor appears to be widening, conditions are ripe for a revival.
Capitalism is not evil in itself and neither is money. It’s what we do with it. Paul told Timothy: “For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil” – 1 Timothy 6:10 (NLT). When Christ is truly in the hearts of business owners, employees are compensated fairly, customers are treated with respect, profits are made but greed is not the motivation.
When we speak the language of Jesus, we speak something universal that can be understood to the core of our human souls.
Taken a step further, when Christ is truly in the minds of politicians and bureaucrats, laws are based on Biblical principles and resources are not wasted. When Christ is in the spirits of citizens in general, we treat our neighbours like family, not out of legal obligation but out of love and compassion. When Christ is in our culture, we will not be so fixated on satisfying our guts, we will take care of ourselves better and live within our means, we will take individual responsibility for teaching our children, we will take local control of schools and institutions. And so on.
In this world, Psalm 33:8 would be our slogan: “Let the whole world fear the Lord, and let everyone stand in awe of him.”
On Easter Sunday morning, we rejoice over the empty tomb. He is risen indeed. The nails on the cross could not keep Him from true life. Later that same day, we heed the words of Christ, who told his disciples, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” His followers received the Holy Spirit and were commanded to forgive one another. What a better world this would be if we all did that, honesty and truly.
Sometimes, music has a way of capturing truth. I speak Jesus speaks power. The chorus is spot on:
‘Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire.
One person, one name, God in human form who is with us always, to the end of the age. When we speak the language of Jesus, we speak something universal that can be understood to the core of our human souls.
We are invited to receive the Holy Spirit all over again, just like the disciples in the upper room, frightened and confused.
Psalm 33 concludes: “We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.” Amen.
During Eastertide 2026, we are invited to receive the Holy Spirit all over again, just like the disciples in the upper room, frightened and confused. When the Lord appeared, the church was born. It remains alive precisely for time such as this.
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Notes:
I Speak Jesus songwriters are Jesse Reeves / Dustin Smith / Abby Benton / Kristen Dutton / Carlene Prince / Raina Pratt. Speak Jesus lyrics © Integrity’s Praise! Music, All Essential Music, Pt. Nadaku Musik, For Me And My House Songs.
Photo Credit: AI generated image designed by Freepik.
