Friday, February 14, 2014

Storms and Beacons

           The storm may roar without me, my heart may low be laid,
but God is round about me, and can I be dismayed?

                Our country has faced some of the fiercest storms on record; even as I write I am watching the fir tree outside my window at Zion swaying violently; let us hope its roots are strong!  We have already lost eight roof tiles, but for many their lives have been simply decimated. Weeks of flooding, the devastation of watching nightmares realised. How can we respond to this crisis, what can we learn from these floods? These are not easy questions, we have seen much finger pointing, and certainly if you build on a flood plain and save money by not dredging rivers there will be consequences. One question remains and that is, are these storms freaks of nature… or a sign that nature has lost her balance due to human activity: ie global warming? You will be relieved that I am not about to pronounce these floods as some kind of godly vendetta against our nation, even though I acknowledge that they may be in part at least the consequence of human greed and poor stewardship.  What these floods and storms do remind us is how fragile we are, and yet how resilient the human spirit. In the midst of adversity some of the most godly and frankly fully human acts of kindness are being performed. This is worth celebrating, even as we weep with those who weep. For many of us our lives are only moderately affected, but we can and must expend the energy of love and prayer for those who face years to untie the consequences.
                Should disciples of Jesus react any differently to others through this situation? I am reminded of the story of Jesus in a storm; he simply slept while everyone around him panicked. There is something intrinsically attractive about those who can stay calm in a crisis. Very often they are the ones who can think and act most creatively.  Peace comes from knowing that ultimately all storms will pass, floodwaters will recede. As the hymn writer put it: ‘God is round about me,
and can I be dismayed?’ Jesus’ intimate knowledge and relationship with the Father meant that he seemed to be aware that nothing would befall him that wasn’t somehow timely. This did not of course spare him, ultimately from death. But it did mean in the face of the storm he was unafraid and able to command a stillness and calm.  In a few weeks time we will be celebrating as a church the building of a ‘beacon’ a lighthouse. I can only imagine the bravery of those who go to sea, in weather such as we have seen recently. Navigation and a battle with the wind and waves require real skill, but at last resort the beacon is both warning and guidance to where safe haven lies.  I am not sure as Christians we are called to be different, but we are certainly called to shine, to flood the darkness with light and offer a hope that whatever the storm, there is a love and a power who is more powerful. It would be sad to celebrate the opening of our beacon building, whilst those of us who are called to shine make little effort to rekindle our light or our faith by becoming better acquainted with the love of the Father. To this end I urge you all to look seriously into your own heart, are a desire to love the lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and a commitment to love your neighbour as yourself the chief aims of your life, do they give you purpose and energy? Probably the answer to that question is both yes and no, we want to love but find it hard. If that is the case I urge you to consider further our discussions about Inspire, and ask yourself the question who do I know who may be able to help me to burn a little brighter, and love a little better. This is the aim of the Inspire movement, to help us all to become the beacons we are called to be. Not asleep in the boat, oblivious, while all the waves crash upon others, but awake and alert with the confidence that comes from faith, ready to speak peace and love into every situation that confronts us.

Wake up o sleeper, rise from the dead , and Christ will shine (from) on you.


Stephen

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