Peace Be with You: Let the Light Shine Through Life's Cracks

Rev. Janet Jim, Executive Director, CCM Canada
Compiled and transcribed by: Wendy Yau, Ministry Director (Literature), CCM Canada

"Peace be with you!" Chances are, this is one of the greetings you hear most often when you gather with your church family on a Sunday morning. But what does peace really mean? The biblical word shalom is often translated simply as "peace," suggesting a state of safety, security, and freedom from conflict. Yet in the Hebrew understanding, shalom carries a much richer meaning. It speaks of wholeness, completeness, flourishing, and deep well-being. Above all, the peace that Christ offers is the kind of peace that restores our relationship with our Heavenly Father.¹

Do you long to experience that kind of peace? The reality is that when our relationships—with God, with others, or even with ourselves—become fractured or strained, different kinds of struggles can gradually emerge. These may affect us physically, emotionally, or mentally, disrupting our daily lives and robbing us of shalom. The Lausanne Movement goes even further, observing that "one of the greatest challenges facing the Church today is meeting people's need for health and wholeness (shalom)." In my view, mental health is inseparably connected to shalom. When there is no peace within, when it feels as though a heavy weight is pressing on our hearts, it is only a matter of time before our relationships—with ourselves and with others—begin to suffer. So what do we do when life begins to unravel? Some people choose to avoid the problem. Others become overwhelmed by life's unexpected storms and find themselves unable to move forward. Our emotions are often the first outward signs that something within us is unsettled. Yet they are more than symptoms to be managed. As we learn to understand and work through our emotions, we often discover something new about ourselves. They can become an invitation to deeper self-awareness and, ultimately, to greater wholeness.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, approximately one in five Canadians experiences a mental health challenge each year.² This is not a marginal issue—it touches countless lives. In an increasingly uncertain and unsettled world, nearly everyone carries burdens that are unseen. Compassionate care, emotional support, and the presence of people willing to walk alongside others have never been more important. After all, there are far more tears waiting to be shed than there are ears willing to listen. For many years, CCM Canada has sought to come alongside those who are hurting through professional counselling services, workshops, and educational programs. We desire to help people navigate seasons of emotional turmoil, journey through life's valleys, and discover hope beyond their present struggles. But is that enough?

We believe that life's darkest seasons are more than simply obstacles to overcome. Often, they become windows through which we come to know ourselves more deeply. Canadian poet and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen famously wrote, "There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in."³ Perhaps it is precisely through these cracks—whether large or small—that the light of Christ finds its way into our lives, revealing not only His grace but also our truest selves.

Yet is it easy to know and accept who we truly are? I once read a children's picture book about a little pig who found life as a pig unbearably dull. Determined to become something more exciting, the pig tried transforming itself into all sorts of other animals—a giraffe, a zebra, a bird, and many more. Every attempt ended in failure. Finally, the little pig discovered a simple but profound truth: being a pig was the happiest thing it could ever be.⁴ Discovering—and embracing—our authentic selves is often a lifelong journey. More often than not, it begins when life's circumstances change and prompt us to look inward. Along the way, there may be tears, surprises, disappointments, and moments of profound awakening. We experience the full spectrum of human emotions—joy and sorrow, sweetness and bitterness, hope and grief—all woven together as we continue on the journey.

To help make this journey of self-discovery less lonely and more life-giving, CCM Canada offers not only professional counselling but also ministries devoted to spiritual formation and spiritual direction. Our desire is to help believers discern how God is at work in their lives—to recognize His voice and His footsteps amid the noise and busyness of everyday life. Through guided conversations, retreats, and a variety of spiritual practices, we encourage people to examine the condition of their inner lives, to seek their true self rather than cling to a false self, and to step courageously beyond the comfort of familiar boundaries. In doing so, they experience lives that are continually expanded, renewed, and transformed.Spiritual direction, at its heart, is a lifelong pilgrimage toward spiritual maturity. It begins with self-awareness. As the journey unfolds, we gradually discover the unique gifts and purposes God has woven into our lives. By His grace, we grow into a deeper intimacy with Him. Within the embrace of His unfailing love, we learn to face our imperfections without fear, to accept who we truly are, and to become more whole—spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.

The ancient Chinese story of borrowing light through a hole in the wall (鑿壁偷光) has long been celebrated as a picture of perseverance in learning. Today, with electric lights illuminating our homes day and night, there is no longer any need to carve holes in our walls for light. Yet the image still speaks powerfully to us. When disappointment after disappointment chisels away at our lives, leaving behind cracks we never asked for, will we still dare to believe that those very fractures are where the light enters? Through those cracks, we may come to see ourselves more clearly, and even more importantly, to recognize the faithful presence of God guiding us through the shadows.

1Chan, Herbert. "Hebrew (9): Shalom (שָׁלוֹם)—Peace." Beit Midrash Yeshua, "Biblical Hebrew Study" Series. Accessed June 23, 2026.
2Canadian Mental Health Association. "Fast Facts about Mental Illness." Accessed June 23, 2026.
3Cohen, Leonard. "Anthem." On The Future. Columbia Records, 1992.
4Cort, Ben. Pigs Can't Fly! Translated by Lin Liang. Taipei: Tien-Wei Publishing, 2013.

Spiritual Direction: A Journey Toward Our True Selves

Queenie Hui Centre Director, CCM Calgary and Edmonton Centres

In the previous article, Rev. Janet Jim cited statistics from the Canadian Mental Health Association indicating that one in five Canadians experiences a mental health challenge each year. In addition, a 2024 study conducted by Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries and Flourishing Congregations Institute found that 77%¹ of Canadian pastors, church leaders, and congregants have experienced either a diagnosed mental illness or significant mental health struggles. Why, then, do Christians struggle with mental illness? Does faith serve as a source of healing—or can it sometimes become an obstacle to recovery?²

In his influential book Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, Pastor Peter Scazzero identifies ten symptoms of emotionally unhealthy spirituality:

1. Using God's work to avoid the work God wants to do in you.
2. Ignoring anger, sadness, and fear.
3. Dying to the wrong things.
4. Denying the impact of the past on the present.
5. Dividing life into "secular" and "sacred" compartments.
6. Doing for God instead of being with God.
7. Using spiritual language to avoid conflict.
8. Covering over brokenness, weakness, and failure.
9. Living without healthy limits.
10. Judging the spiritual journeys of others.

Do you see yourself in any of these? In my experience, many sincere followers of Christ eventually arrive at a spiritual crossroads. Intellectually, they know that God loves them. Yet in their lived experience, faith has become little more than a set of rules, and God seems more like a distant judge than a loving Father. God is often misunderstood, but His love for us never wavers. It grieves His heart to see His children bound by these misconceptions, allowing their struggles to deepen. His desire has always been for healing, not condemnation.

God, who knows the future, prepares the way long before we can see it. He intentionally creates spaces where His purposes can unfold, and He never abandons His children as orphans. CCM Calgary Centre introduced spiritual direction and professional counselling ministries in 2013. In 2019, CCM Edmonton Centre was established, expanding this vision through dedicated mental health ministries.³ Looking back today, I can clearly see God's faithful provision. He graciously prepared both centres to become places where lives could be received, nurtured, and restored. Through them, Chinese Christians and members of the wider Chinese community have found support as they navigate today's profound spiritual and mental health challenges. Over the years, we have offered ministries and programs such as Spiritual Direction, the Spiritual Exercises, and Deep Listening. Through the faithful companionship of trained spiritual directors, participants are invited to explore their inner lives, gradually discover their authentic selves, experience God's love in every area of life, and move freely toward the person God created them to be.

The following testimonies beautifully illustrate how genuine peace comes only when we dare to lay our lives open before God, allowing His light to shine into every hidden corner.

"Spiritual direction is very different from counselling. For me, it is about learning to lay my whole self open before God, allowing His light to penetrate every part of my life. Along the way, I have discovered hidden sins I had never noticed before, as well as fears, insecurities, and shame that I had long buried. At times, these discoveries made me want to retreat. Yet my spiritual director gently guided me onward, encouraging me to continue having honest conversations with God. She rarely offered her own opinions. Instead, she devoted herself to creating a safe and sacred space where I could learn to listen and speak to God for myself. She firmly believed that true healing and transformation come from God—not from the spiritual director."

"The 36-week journey through the Spiritual Exercises immersed me deeply in God's grace. I became aware of how resistant I was to confronting my own sin, and gradually began to see the darkness within my heart. I learned to face myself honestly and to let go of my false self. Walking with Jesus day by day, I learned what it means to journey alongside Him. Step by step, my Heavenly Father led me forward, renewing and transforming my heart."

1Mental Health and Illness in Canadian Congregations 2024, Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries and Flourishing Congregations Institute
2CCM Canada began exploring this important topic in 2020. To learn more, visit the "Let's Care About Mental Illness in Church" online summit website at https://mentalhealth.ccmcentre.ca, where you can watch the online summit.
3To learn more about the ministries and services offered by CCM Calgary Centre and CCM Edmonton Centre, please visit https://calgary.ccmcentre.ca and https://edmonton.ccmcentre.ca

From Being Counselled to Becoming a Counsellor: Finding Myself Again Through Life's Deepest Valley

Josephine Chun  Ministry Director (Counselling and Mental Health), CCM Canada
Ministry Director, Linkage Counselling Services

Editor's Note: Linkage Counselling Services was established by a team of Christian professionals with a shared vision of serving people from all backgrounds, cultures, and faith traditions through the love of Christ.

Life inevitably brings us through countless experiences and relationships, each stirring within us a wide range of emotions. When confusion and emotional turmoil take hold, we can easily lose sight of who we truly are. For some, the darkness becomes so overwhelming that they lose hope altogether. Yet sometimes, a single conversation or moment can change everything, opening the door to a new beginning.

Finding a New Direction in the Midst of Confusion

For many years, I lived under the weight of fear, sadness, and uncertainty. From a very young age, I knew that both of my parents were living with cancer. Then, one day, my mother passed away. The pain of losing her was so profound that I felt as though part of me had disappeared. I was still a young woman at the beginning of my career. Although I had long known that my mother's illness would eventually come to an end, I thought I had prepared myself emotionally for that day. I was wrong. The grief was so overwhelming that I could not even cry. Outwardly, life went on. I continued working and carrying out my daily routines, but inside I was numb. My mind felt empty. I became detached from the people and the world around me, simply going through the motions of life. As a social worker, I recognized that I needed help.

Through counselling, I was finally able to grieve. As the tears came, I realized that beneath my sorrow lay something even deeper—a profound sense of regret for all that could never be undone, together with the fear of not knowing where my own life was headed. What I remember most vividly was not any particular technique my counsellor used, but the way she accepted both me and my emotions without judgment. In the midst of my overwhelming grief, she simply stayed with me. Little by little, I emerged from that dark valley. I learned to embrace both my longing and my love for my mother, while also accepting my own helplessness. Having experienced that healing journey myself, I knew I wanted to become a counsellor—to help others walk through their own valleys, discover hope again, and learn to accept themselves with compassion.

Learning to Be a Kind Person

After completing my counselling training, I intentionally incorporated counselling skills into my leadership responsibilities at work. More importantly, I wanted to become a kinder person. One incident has stayed with me over the years. A young staff member unexpectedly failed to come to work one day without notifying anyone. He had always been conscientious and responsible, so I became genuinely concerned that something might have happened. I repeatedly tried to reach him by phone, remembering some of the difficult experiences and emotional struggles he had shared with me in the past. As a manager, I could easily have focused on his unexplained absence as a serious breach of responsibility. Instead, I sent him a simple text message: "I know you're going through something very difficult right now. Let me arrange leave for you today. When you're ready, please get in touch with me." Before long, he replied. He told me that he had been overwhelmed emotionally after something at work unexpectedly triggered painful memories of past trauma. As I listened, I sought not to judge or solve the problem, but simply to understand what he was experiencing and what lay beneath those emotions. Over a series of conversations, I continued to encourage him and intentionally affirmed his strengths at work. Gradually, he emerged from the shadows of his past. He became more confident, more courageous, and more engaged in his work. That journey taught me something profound: counselling skills help us enter another person's inner world. Yet sometimes, what brings the deepest healing is simply offering genuine understanding, affirmation, and acceptance. Kindness itself can become a powerful expression of love, making the world a more beautiful place.

Answering God's Call to Counselling

After moving to Canada, God graciously rekindled the passion that had first led me into ministry. I made the difficult decision to leave behind a long career in senior management so that I could devote myself fully to counselling. Over the past few years, I have walked alongside many newcomers from Hong Kong who have endured the uncertainty of waiting for permanent residency. During that long season of waiting, many struggle not only with questions of immigration status but also with the loss of familiar roles, identities, and a sense of belonging. Fear, uncertainty, and helplessness often become constant companions. My hope is to offer each person a safe and welcoming space where they can honestly face the fears and anxieties hidden beneath the surface, rediscover clarity, and move forward with renewed hope. I see the same truth in play therapy. Time and again, children begin to express their deepest thoughts and feelings only after they experience unconditional acceptance. A safe environment gives people permission to be themselves. When people feel truly seen and accepted, they often discover the courage to move forward.

Serving through Linkage Counselling Services has allowed me to draw not only on my professional training but also on my own life experiences. In the end, what brings healing is not counselling techniques alone. It is a compassionate heart. A heart that welcomes people without judgment. A heart that is willing to step into another person's story. And through unconditional acceptance, people begin to understand themselves more honestly, embrace their emotions more fully, and find the courage to continue the journey that lies ahead.

A Man Who Walked Through the Cracks: Rediscovering God and Himself

Interviewee: "SongYu"1 (pseudonym), participant in the Men's Ministry at CCM Vancouver Centre. His personal testimony will be published as a book in early 2027.
Interviewer: Josephine Chun
Ministry Director (Counselling and Mental Health), CCM Canada
Ministry Director, Linkage Counselling Services
Interview Transcription: Wendy Yau
Ministry Director (Literature), CCM Canada

Editor's Note: Over the past several years, SongYu has been an active participant in the Men's Ministry at CCM Vancouver Centre, where he has found encouragement, accountability, and genuine friendship. The struggles men carry are often hidden and difficult to express. His story reveals how God patiently meets us in our brokenness, enabling us to rediscover His presence—and our true selves—even through life's deepest fractures.

J: SongYu, thank you for being willing to share your story. We understand that your marriage went through an extremely painful season. Would you tell us what happened?

SongYu: I was born in Hong Kong and came to faith while I was in elementary school. After graduating from high school, I moved to Canada for my studies. Later, I married a Christian sister, and together we had a son and a daughter. My wife and I had very different personalities, and conflicts between us became increasingly frequent. Coupled with the pressures and temptations of everyday life, I eventually had an extramarital affair. Although the relationship did not last long, and my wife was willing to forgive me, our marriage never truly recovered. Many more things happened afterward, but perhaps I'll share those as we continue.

J: What was going through your mind during the affair? You were still actively serving in church at the time. How did you reconcile those two realities? What was your greatest inner struggle?

SongYu: Deep down, I knew adultery was wrong. At the time, I was serving as a church deacon. Before everything came to light, I continued serving as usual, but I felt like a hypocrite. After the affair was exposed, I stepped down from every ministry and stopped attending church altogether. When the affair ended, I eventually returned home and went back to church, but if I'm honest, there was no genuine repentance in my heart. My return was more about fulfilling my responsibilities as a husband, a father, and a Christian. Faith had become something restrictive rather than life-giving. Several years later, I left both my church and my family and returned to Hong Kong, convinced that I could finally live life on my own terms. Looking back, my greatest struggle was the enormous gap between knowing what was right and actually doing it. I had been a Christian since childhood. I knew I should love my wife and remain faithful to my marriage vows. But I was deeply unhappy, and I turned to sexual desire as a way of escaping reality. I simply couldn't free myself. To quiet my guilty conscience, I began questioning my faith. I tried to rationalize my choices by doubting God's existence or explaining away my behaviour as nothing more than biological instinct.

J: How did God awaken you and bring you back to Himself?

SongYu: For quite a long time, I deliberately distanced myself from anything related to faith. I stopped attending church and tried to numb myself through work and relationships. Later, I met the woman who is now my wife. Although I was no longer involved with other women, I still avoided God whenever possible. The story of the prodigal son reminds us that God has His own timing, and He certainly did in my life. Ironically, the first turning point came through what should have been joyful news. One day, many years ago, my sister-in-law congratulated me on becoming a grandfather. I was stunned. I didn't know whether to rejoice or grieve. I had cut my son's umbilical cord when he was born. I had changed his diapers as a baby and paid for his university education. Yet now he had become a father himself—and he didn't even tell me. The pain was overwhelming. But then I realized something: years earlier, I had abandoned my wife and children. How could I blame my son for keeping his distance from me? Another incident left an equally deep impression. One day, while walking through the campus of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, I noticed a snake tightly clamped onto a frog. As I stopped to look more closely, the snake became aware of my presence and loosened its grip. The frog seized the opportunity and escaped. Without intending to, I had saved its life. In the Bible, the serpent often represents Satan. The frog had wandered into danger and nearly became the serpent's prey. Suddenly, I asked myself, "Wasn't I just like that frog? Wasn't I also trapped in the grip of the serpent?" At that moment, I prayed quietly in my heart: "God, I want to come back to You." After that prayer, I experienced one remarkable "coincidence" after another—events that I simply cannot explain apart from the hand of God. Space doesn't allow me to tell the whole story here, but I hope readers will find it in my book, which will be published next year. In short, God used those experiences to restore my relationships with my children. He also gave me the opportunity to offer a sincere apology to my former wife. His reality became impossible for me to deny.

J: During that journey, were there particular people who made a significant difference?

SongYu: During those years in Hong Kong, I rarely reached out to anyone. However, one brother whom I had known for many years learned what I was going through. Whenever he returned from Canada to Hong Kong, he made a point of meeting with me. He never tried to lecture me or tell me what to do. Instead, he listened. He prayed with me. That meant far more than I can express. After I returned to church, I also opened up to one of the pastors about everything that had happened. Those two men became God's angels in my life. At my weakest moments, they carried me through their prayers and unwavering acceptance.

J: Looking back now, what has the greatest "crack" in your life ultimately taught you?

SongYu: I thank God that my relationships with both of my children have been restored, and that I was given the opportunity to sincerely apologize to my former wife. When I look back, I see God's mercy everywhere. Even someone as sinful as I am was met with His compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance. I've come to realize that when our relationship with God is unhealthy, our relationships with other people often suffer as well. The real problem was never my circumstances. It was my own heart. Human beings cannot overcome the bondage of sinful desires by their own strength. But God's arms are always open to those who are willing to return. God also used these painful experiences to teach me genuine humility. If I could begin again, I would have sought marriage counselling or personal counselling as soon as my marriage showed signs of trouble. It might have saved me from many unnecessary detours. So often we think we know ourselves well. The truth is that we are often the people who know ourselves the least. That is one of the reasons I decided to publish my story. My hope is that it will encourage men and families struggling with infidelity or similar temptations, helping them find hope before their lives are broken apart.

J: Thank you, SongYu, for sharing your journey so honestly. We pray that your upcoming book will become a blessing to many.

Activities Recap

"Walk for Love 2026": A Resounding Success

Praise God! CCM Vancouver Centre's "Walk for Love 2026" Walkathon was successfully held on June 21 at Deer Lake Park in Burnaby. Blessed with beautiful sunshine, the event brought together approximately 200 participants and raised nearly CAD $180,000. We are deeply grateful to all the churches and brothers and sisters in Christ who joined us in walking together in love and support.

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Café le Chemin Begins Its Journey

CCM Montreal Centre has launched Café le Chemin (The Way in English), a café ministry and Business for Mission social enterprise. Following a soft opening on April 4, 2026, the café officially opened its doors on May 23. Through food and hospitality, we hope to create a welcoming space for genuine conversations, meaningful connections, and opportunities to encounter the gospel.

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Mission Trip to Birmingham, UK

From June 4 to 16, CCM Canada's Overseas Mission joined 11 brothers and sisters in Christ, primarily church leaders, from three churches in Greater Vancouver—Richmond Chinese Baptist Church, Surrey Chinese Baptist Church, and Coquitlam Christ Church of China—on a mission trip to Birmingham and neighbouring communities in the UK. Through community visits, street evangelism, and fellowship with local churches, the team gained a deeper understanding of the needs in the UK, particularly among newcomers and people from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Looking ahead, we hope to partner with CCM UK and continue serving in mission in the UK and across Europe.

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