COUNSEL TO THE LONELY

 By REVEREND TONY ZEKVELD

It continues to grieve me as I hear that so many of you, international students, are being exploited by those who prey on the vulnerable.

You come to Canada with good intentions; that is, to study and prepare for your future. 

You leave your whole family; you leave your best friends. This is a big sacrifice. You come to this country, sometimes feeling isolated, vulnerable, and confused. No one seems to look out for you. No one seems to care. And some who do, have other things “in mind” in order to take advantage of you – your money, your time, and your body.

Who can you open up to? With whom can you share? A proverb in the Bible says, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother”.  A friend like this is a rare jewel; that is, a friend who loves at all times. 

Where do you find such a reliable friend who is able to offer wise advice to help you avoid the ruinous pathways? Or maybe you have been manipulated into doing some shameful act. You feel all alone. To whom do you turn for counsel and help now? Who has the time to give their ear and not betray a confidence?

I want to introduce a Friend to you, a forever faithful Friend. One who truly knows and understands, even more than you know or understand yourself. This is the Lord Jesus. God the Father, in His love, sent His only begotten Son Jesus into the world to be forsaken on the cross for sinners so that all who trust on Him, are forever accepted by God. 

The Bible says, “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need”.  His Word, the Bible, provides wise and faithful counsel for every situation. He offers and gives hope even in the worst of situations. There is no Friend like Him. He gave His life for sinners so that all who trust in Him, may live again with new hope. 

If you want to talk more, or if you want a heart-to-heart talk with a mom-like figure, you may contact my wife from the Hope Centre at 416-740-0543.