Peace or despair? Or a radical hope?

 

There are two equal and opposite errors. One is to say “peace, peace”, when there is no peace. That is, it is to claim that everything is fine and all will be well, when there are serious problems which ought to be faced. In fact, there are gross sins of which we ought to repent. Perhaps few today would say that all is health and blessing in Albion, so maybe we’ll address that further on another occasion.

 

Maybe we are more tempted to think we are off to hell in a hand cart. Some of us may be Eeore-ish by nature. We may see worrying signs and trends in church and state. We fear the future.

 

But we must not give in to despair. We would do well to remember that England and the West have had more than their fair share of troubles in the past. In fact, God seems to love a pattern of death and resurrection. We might think of Alfred’s founding of national life. Or some of the monastic reform movements of the middle ages. Or of the Protestant Reformation. Or the evangelical awakening. It turns out that these dry bones have been revived before. The body politic and the body of Christ can live!

 

So what are the needs of the moment? Always revival involves repentance and prayer. It involves a new sense of God and his holiness. Of the wonder and urgency of the good news of Jesus Christ.

 

But we might also mention hope. Prognostications of doom can be self-fulfilling. The gloomy and despairing are not always attractive. “Come follow me, we’re going to be defeated and it’ll be miserable” is perhaps not a great rallying cry.

 

It is obvious to even the casual observer that the West has lost its way. We have said that we come from nothing and are for nothing and it is unsurprising that teenagers don’t see why they should leave their bedrooms. We have said that all is meaningless and so there seems no point in exerting myself for anything unless I happened to be moved to do so. And I sometimes find myself moved to social media, or video games, or drink or drugs or…. So….

 

We need to say that the hope for the world, for civilisation, and for your soul is Jesus Christ. He is Lord. And you were made for friendship with him. His Kingdom has come and will come, and will triumph over all. This seed will be the largest tree in the garden in which the birds of the air may come and nest. The yeast will penetrate the whole dough. This rock not made by human hands will be the largest mountain that will fill the whole earth. The world will be full of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. Jesus has defeated sin and death and hell. Love wins. The light is coming. The gospel day has dawned and we must walk in the light. Perhaps we will see its noon day brightness but this is a flame that will never die. Jesus will build his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

 

Christians can say to our young people: here is something good and proven. It is hard, and wonderful. And it works. Maybe Jesus will have you found a school, or a hospital. Or raise a family. Or grow a business. Or preach his word. Or win one soul. Or be a godly bin man or woman. Or perhaps die a martyr. Who knows! The options are many. But you can be sure of his grace and power. A life lived for Jesus will matter. And God sees all. Why not start today on the great adventure of following the Way, the Truth and the Life? That is really the only hope, and it is a race we can run with joy and confidence, knowing that Jesus has gone before us and is with us, and will delight to give us the prize of eternal glory which far surpasses all the baubles of this passing world.