Pictures are from ‘Creative Commons’. I haven’t added bible references to this article, which I’d do for a specifically Christian readership.
Even for the most experienced fishermen, this storm was a nightmare. Wave after wave crashed over the deck; the boat lurched up, down, to and fro’ so all they could see were the giant cliffs of water. Any moment now would come that sickening crunch as the mast split in two. Yet there he lay, fast asleep…
You may remember this story about the disciples in the boat. They were experiencing their very own climate crisis, and Jesus might as well have gone AWOL…
I recently told someone that my faith gave me hope in the current ‘permacrisis’ in which we now live. She challenged me, saying she saw no evidence of this whatsoever. What am I hopeful about?
-o-O-o-
- God loves his creation. Do you enjoy watching David Attenborough? Despite his not being a believer, an influential Christian friend asserts that he’s a gift from God. His love for the natural world, and his empathy with the magnificent creatures he showcases, seem to me a reflection of God’s heart and his desire that creation should prosper. The creation stories in Genesis depict God standing back admiring his work, saying, “It’s very good.” That means it fills his heart with pain to see it being wrecked by cynical neglect and exploitation.
- God is the restoration business. Why do we enjoy programmes like Repair Shop? Or, why’s upcycling so satisfying? There’s something very uplifting about renewing and recreating worn out items. God’s work is to renew and to recreate. That’s why he sent his son Jesus to a world riven with authoritarian rule, religious hypocisy and inequality. For three years, Jesus mended broken lives, performing miracles that filled people with wonder. He explained that God’s rule on earth had begun, and invited people to be a part of ‘his kingdom’. Hold on, isn’t that ancient history? They killed him, didn’t they? Yes, but…
- Jesus has broken the power of evil. Do you find yourself shouting at your TV screen during the News? Does it appear that evil is triumphing? Those dystopic scenes of the Alberta tar sands, followed by the devastation of a hurricane in the Caribbean – cause and effect? But when I look into the mirror, I acknowledge that I’m far from perfect. I have to start with myself, but how? In Mel Gibson’s 2004 film, ‘the Passion of the Christ’, the devil is seen gloating in triumph as Jesus is crucified. Shortly afterwards, he howls in dismay as he realises he’s been blindsided – that Jesus has died to break the power of evil over all who follow him. His mission: to transform the world, one life at a time.
- Jesus holds power over life and death. Do you remember the Champions League Final in Istanbul, 2005? At half time, Liverpool trailed 3-0 against AC Milan, dead and buried. Incredibly, they fought back to 3-3 and went on to win on penalties. After he died, Jesus’ disciples felt the same despair, yet he appeared to them, sometimes individually, at other times as a group, so that they ‘disbelieved for joy’! The Resurrection is very hard to explain away. And Jesus’ promise is that it’s for all who follow him to share. No wonder they could go out confidently, live fearlessly and ‘turn the world upside down’!
- Jesus lives today in his disciples. Have you ever wished you could ‘be’ someone you admire, perhaps a pop star, a sportsman, an actor? Wouldn’t it be marvellous if the spirit of that person could come and live in you? Jesus told his disciples to ‘wait for my Father’s promise to come upon you.’ And one day after his departure, they had an amazing experience where the spirit of Jesus came and transformed them. They were still themselves as individuals, but now experienced his compassion, boldness and authority, and performed miracles like he had. The story doesn’t end with the disciples. Throughout the ages, and today throughout our society, countless acts of compassion, grace, courage and generosity are being carried out. An example is the Church and Community Transformation programme run by Christian charity Tearfund. There are many heart-warming stories of villages in Africa and Asia where despair has turned to hope as people use their God-given resources, working with nature to improve their livelihoods.
- Jesus predicted life will become tough. He talked about scary times ahead, ‘men’s hearts fainting in fear’. Wars, famines, storms…He told his disciples to ‘hang in there’, remembering that their home is in heaven, and to carry on serving him.
- God promises, “I will never fail nor forsake you.” Have you ever set out on a challenge, not knowing how things will end? In 2014 I set out on a daunting 106-mile charity cycle ride despite being desperately short of practice. I had too many sponsors to back out…I finished the ride, but was glad I hadn’t known beforehand how hard it would be! None of us knows what our planet will look like in 2066, and how we shall cope. But God does. And he’ll be there, not observing but in the thick of the action. The greater the hardship, the more compassion, heroic deeds and, I believe, miracles that we shall see.
- The end result is certain. Only God knows the time and the manner in which the present age will end. What we do know is that Jesus will return, not born in a stable but in a way that’s obvious to all. St Paul described Creation as groaning in labour waiting for this time to arrive. Jesus will come to fully establish God’s rule, to recreate heaven and earth, using as building blocks the many acts of creativity and goodness that humankind has carried out. Jesus was clear about this, and the theme appears in other biblical literature. Wishful thinking? Jesus’ first coming, and especially his death on the cross were described graphically by the ancient prophets, many years before it happened. I wouldn’t bet against the predictions of his return.
-o-O-o-
What now? My case is that being a follower of Jesus is the safest place in the storm. Back then, just as all seemed lost, he woke up, appeared on deck and rebuked the wind and the waves. “Be still!” And there was calm. And now? I don’t know the ‘cosmic’ outcome, but knowing he’s in control gives me to confidence to carry on worshipping him, doing his work, caring for the creation he loves, and living in hope and expectation.
johnhearsonwrites.com 