Friday, 24 June 2016

Certainty in an uncertain world

“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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