He’s been lionized by some and villainized by others.  To some, he is one of the fathers of Canada. To others, he will be nothing more than a part of the system that was responsible for the residential schools and therefore was responsible for their abuses.

In recent years, John A. Macdonald has had his name removed from schools and his statues removed from parks.

However, two things can be true at the same time. We don’t have to minimize one to recognize the other.

In high school history, we learned about his role in Confederation. How he championed the cross-country railway, his capacity for strong drink, and his skill as an orator. At that point, the role he played in the hanging of Louis Riel was viewed from a different perspective, and the abuses of the residential schools weren’t talked about.

Something I didn’t realize until just recently was that John A. Macdonald made a public declaration to follow Christ shortly before his death. Those who knew him said that for the last three years of his life, he was a changed man.

And that is the promise of 2 Corinthians 5:17 “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Have a great week, and remember: To see what is really possible, you will have to attempt the impossible.