Sudbury faith: Life lessons from Finland 

Breadcrumb Trail Links

OpinionColumn

Article content

We recently visited the beautiful Nordic country of Finland. This is where my wife was born and raised. Then she moved to Sweden to attend Bible college. Then she moved to France to do mission work. And then she married a Canadian and her non-Finnish fate was sealed. 

Article content

After a seven-year gap, it was time to return to visit family. Here are a few life lessons I picked up during our time in “Suomi” (their word for Finland). 

Article content

Recommended Videos

Article content

Flag: Finns are proud of their country and their blue and white flag. You see it on flag poles, literature, products and even a string of mini ones on their Christmas trees. Its design is very simple but striking – a blue cross on a white background. The colour blue speaks of God’s beautiful creation (the many lakes and rivers, the sea on two sides, the sky) and the white reminds us of the crisp snow of long Finnish winters. 

The symbol of the cross reflects the Lutheran heritage of Finland. It’s their state church, which most Finns belong to. The Reformation truths of Martin Luther (a German) were brought to Finland by reformers like Mikael Agricola. They preached salvation in Christ alone by God’s grace alone (with no place for good or religious works). They also preached that the foundation of truth was Scripture alone (with no place for human tradition). 

Article content

It’s great to have a cross on your flag. Canada’s flag is also simple and striking with two colours (red and white), a maple leaf and two bars (representing oceans). But we don’t have a cross anymore (our first Canadian flag had two if you look hard enough). The cross points to Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. 

The apostle Peter wrote this to a diaspora of believers in a region belonging to Turkey today. 

“For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life you inherited from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” (1 Peter 1:18-19) Peter was pointing his readers to the cross. 

Sauna: Many would argue that the steam bath or sauna is Finland’s biggest cultural gift to the world. Finns take their saunas very seriously and get upset at Swedes who turn their saunas into storage rooms. In Canada, I’m fortunate to get to a sauna once a year. During our three weeks in Finland, I enjoyed seven (and became well sterilized in the process). 

Article content

Saunas are all about getting clean – very clean – deep pore clean. As you step inside, it’s already hot but when you splash water on the granite rocks on top of the wood stove, the air gets super-heated. The Finns (like my wife) say, “Oh, that feels great.” The non-Finns (like me) say, “That’s enough. I’m outa here.” 

The apostle Peter wrote about an even more important kind of cleaning. He continues, “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” (1 Peter 1:22-23) 

We are purified from our sins by accepting Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. And we stay cleansed by our daily surrender to the Holy Spirit who shares his holiness with us. 

Article content

Ant hill: While taking our daily walk on a trail through the wooded Finnish countryside, we came across an interesting sight. At first, I thought it was just a mound of dirt someone had put there. However, looking more closely we could see it was alive. Hundreds of ants were busy moving, carrying things bigger than themselves, going in and out of holes in a huge ant hill. 

It reminded me of what wise King Solomon once wrote, “Go to the ant, O sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest.” (Proverbs 6:6-8) The ant is a symbol of hard work, diligence and foresight. 

Peter continues, “So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation – if indeed you have  tasted that the Lord is good.” (1 Peter 2:1-3). 

Article content

These are action words that tell us to use our free will wisely. After becoming believers, we are to grow up spiritually. Paul tells us clearly that our good works don’t save us, but James reminds us that true faith will always lead to effort and good works. 

Three symbols from Finland: a flag, a sauna and an ant hill. They teach us three life lessons. Embrace Christ and his cross for your salvation. Allow the Holy Spirit to keep you clean and pure daily. And be diligent and serious in your discipleship as you spend time with God (in prayer and His Word) and as you spend time with believers (fellowship) and seeking opportunities to share your faith in word and deed. 

Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who’s proud to be a Canadian but thanks God for Finland. 

Article content

Share this article in your social network