Our Ordinand Sarah Rock-Evans brings this week's blog post, reminding us to look for the light in dark times.
1 John:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
It seems to me that the news in recent days has felt particularly heavy. The bombing of a dam and subsequent flooding in Ukraine, the stabbing of young children in a playground in France, and the serious attack on two teenage boys here in Tiverton are sadly among the events of our world this month.
These situations are shocking and can leave us feeling unsafe or asking questions about our society and where God is at work within it. It is easy to get caught in a spiral of despair, but as Christians we are called to live with hope, to continually turn towards God in prayer, to offer compassion to one another and to bring His light and love into the darkness.
We live in a broken world, and pain and sorrow have been part of that throughout history. But the message of the Christian faith is that such darkness will not have the final word; we also live with the promise that sin and death are overcome through Jesus' death and resurrection. As we read in Revelation 21: 4, God will ultimately live with His people and will 'wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death' or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.'
As we work out how to respond to these difficult events of our lives it is also important to notice signs of where God is at work in the world. He is seen in the response of those who lead, care and support the needs of those affected; He is seen in those who pray and offer compassion, and in those who fight for justice.
It is also important to maintain a sense of perspective in these situations; at times it can seem as if darkness engulfs our world because good news does not make the headlines! And yet in the same week that these terrible events occurred there were also miracles happening; the rescue of four children who were lost for a month in the Amazon jungle after a plane crash is a striking example, but there will be many more. Some we hear of, many we do not. But across the world acts of love, kindness and prayer are making a difference. This in no way diminishes the tragedy of suffering or loss, but it helps to provide a more complete picture of our world.
Can I encourage you this week to be mindful of how others may be feeling, to take time in your home groups or interactions in church to check in with each other and to pray together? Ephesians 6:12 says 'For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.' Prayer is our most powerful response, both in praise and petition to God, whose love for every person is immeasurable.
If you feel particularly affected by these issues and would like to talk or pray with our pastoral care team please do get in touch.
Blessings
Sarah Ordinand