CRTC Says no to 88.1 for Life

Sept 13, 2012, 12:19pm

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The news is out. The CRTC said no to Life/Trust Communications to getting the new radio station at 88.1. There have been reactions to this - most supporting and holding Scott Jackson and all of Life 100.3 up in prayer as a result of the news. Some reactions have been harsh and unfounded criticism.

If I can offer a similar prospective to this situation of losing the radio opportunity...

I am a pastor without a pastoral role inside a church at the moment. I have been in the state for about a year now. I do pastoral ministry on Life every Monday night at 9 doing Ask The Pastor and I love doing that. I have had interviews this past year for pastoral roles and when it comes to that question about what pastoral work I'm doing I have said that while not currently in a church role, I am still doing pastoral ministry at Life - "Yes, but what church are you pastoring at?"

I have had great interviews with churches and they have told me so, then I get the "But we just felt we should go with another candidate." God knows why I haven't had a church pastoral ministry so far, and God knows why Trust Communications did not get 88.1. We have to trust that God knows exactly what He's doing - even if we can't see why right now.

Those who have reacted negatively to this ruling in that they say things like it meant Scott and Life are in it just for the money and other comments are harsh in their criticism and I noticed those same people did not have the boldness enough to leave their names. There will always be nay-sayers. If we know what we're called to do, then things like this while disappointing can be accepted as God has a different path for us to follow. We wait to see what His will is for us in these matters.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I know that sounds like a cliche verse at times like these, and so do verses like Proverbs 3:5,6 - yet they become even more important than ever during times of trial. We must trust that no matter what happens, God has our best interest in mind. He knows what is best for us. God was not taken by surprise by this. He didn't "wake up" and find the ruling didn't go the way He was expecting. He knew it wouldn't. The why is maybe because He has something better in store!

People can pray for things to happen, but we have to hold all our plans with open hands. A lot of people try to claim things in the name of Jesus and think because they have done so that their plans can't possibly fail. James 4:15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.”

So all I have to say is, God closed this door for a reason, and we just pray that God will show us the why. He might not - consider that too - until we get to heaven. We just pray that He would give us that ability to accept His will, and be at peace with it. Perhaps a stronger frequency will suddenly become available later this year? We don't know. We just trust God no matter the circumstances. In times like these I think of that Matt Redman song, "Blessed Be Your Name" and lines taken straight from the book of Job abut how the Lord gives and the Lord takes away - blessed be the name of the Lord. We praise Him in times of blessing and praise Him "when there's pain in the offering - blessed be Your name."

You, Scott, and Life, and the listeners here and in Toronto are in my prayers. As a born Torontonian I know what a game-changer it would have been to have Christian radio there. Obviously God just wants there to be more time and for it to be done a different way than what we were all expecting.

Be at peace Scott. You were faithful with what you had been given - and in God's eyes that means you were a "good and faithful servant."

God bless,

Pastor Andrew Robertson
Ask The Pastor Co-Host/Announcer
Life 100.3