“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly
await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that
enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly
bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
On Thursday
this week the outcome of the referendum has shaken the world for many people in
the UK. Some have been celebrating; others
have felt filled with despair Whatever our response to what has happened, one
thing is certain: we have entered a time of uncertainty. It reminds me of the first time I experienced
a significant earthquake. It was night
time and, although I was still in the UK, I was many miles from home and it was
before the days of mobile phones. In the
nearest town people had rushed from their homes and the phone lines to
emergency services were overwhelmed.
What, I wondered, was the consequence back at my home?
As it
happened, those back home were oblivious to the fact that another part of the
world had been shaken. But my earthquake
was relatively small compared to the major impact made when tectonic plates heave
by metres rather than a few centimetres. The day after the referendum we cannot
be sure what the consequences of the decision will be. By how much or how little has the ground
moved?
The pound in
my pocket may have become worth only ninety pence, but there will be no
immediate sign of that when I go to the shops where I live. Imports from other
European countries remain tariff-free for the moment, so no change there. But will that situation continue. However
confident those who supported the decision may sound, the fact is that there is
considerable uncertainty.
What is
certain is that what has happened in the UK is indicative of what is also
happening not only in other European countries but also in the USA as they
approach an election. There is a spirit
of dis-establishment loose in the world.
Many who voted
‘leave’ did so simply to take a stand against the ‘big boys’ both at home and
abroad and were told by some political leaders that this was what needed to be
done. There seems to be a desire to
dismantle structures that have lasted the test of time, without being sure what
will take their place.
So, for
Christians, where do we stand in such times of uncertainty? Perhaps, like Elijah, facing (as he thought)
a dangerous and uncertain future, we need to discover that still small voice of
God (1Kings 19:11-13). We need to remind
ourselves that God does not change and whatever happens in the affairs of
humankind, God’s character and purposes cannot be altered.
For those who
might be particularly anxious at this time, the words of hymn writer Anna Waring
carry deep truth and consolation.
In heavenly love abiding, no
change my heart shall fear.
And safe in such confiding,
for nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without
me, my heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
and can I be dismayed?
But there will
be many whose hope for the future political life of the UK will overwhelm any
possible anxiety about the future. Those
who have helped to bring about this change are likely to feel elated. But such confidence will count for little if
the consequences are not what they have dreamed. Right now nothing – but nothing – is certain in this life.
So my hope is
that friends divided by political opinion will join together around the person
of Jesus. Truly mature spirit led people
will be aware that our citizenship is of heaven (Philippians 3:20) When the apostle Paul penned those words, he
did so to people who had dual national identity. The people of Philippi lived in Macedonia but
as Philippi was a Roman colony, they proudly enjoyed citizenship of Rome.
We may live in
this world, divided by nationhood and ethnicity but God’s grace places us in
his kingdom, and that knows no bounds beyond God’s own love and grace. Realising our true city-home should lift us
above narrow secular politics, calling us to live by a better standard. It is from heaven that the real Saviour
comes, and from heaven alone.
From the diary
It now looks
hopeful that the prison where I work as a part-time voluntary chaplain will
soon have a full time Anglican Chaplain.
This will lift from my shoulders, and from other Free Church Chaplains
extra responsibilities we have had to take on.
Please pray for God’s hand to rest on these developments.
This Sunday,
26th June, will be my last Sunday as Minister of Yelvertoft
Congregational Church. While this has
been a very blessed period of ministry, and one in which I have sensed God’s
leading, I will now be free to invest more time in promoting appropriate and
effective rural evangelism. I thank God
for Jim (and his wife Jan) who came back into the life of this church a few
years ago and who is a good person to take on the responsibility of leadership.
Please pray
for Katrina who works part-time for Rural Mission Solutions. She and I had plans to undertake various
tasks in May and June as she settles into her role as Children and Families
Adviser. Unfortunately, Doreen’s (my
wife’s) diagnosis with cancer and the subsequent surgery and follow on put
everything on hold. Doreen is healing
well and we hope to pick up these tasks in July.
Please
pray for the webinar this Saturday morning (25th June) from 9.00 to
9.45. The topic is Summer Outreach Ideas
and Gordon Banks and I have prepared a comprehensive presentation full of ideas
that even small churches can manage. If you haven’t already registered to
attend please register at
Please
also email me to let me know you would like to attend.
If
you are reading this after the webinar,
please pray for those who have attended and who might now be considering how
this summer they could shine more brightly for Jesus.
Sunday 26th
– Yelvertoft
Monday 27th
– School Assembly, Lubenham, Leicestershire
Tuesday 28th
– HMP Gartree
I will be busy
helping to finalise details for the Harborough Holiday at Home programme, and
planning the re-launch of Katrina’s ministry.
I am also involved in a complicated legal issue as a trustee under a
will, for which I would value prayer for wisdom.
Thank you for
your prayerful support.
Barry
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