Regime Change

Regime Change is the flavour of this year so far - Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Ireland, Yemen and more. In their different settings, and with widely varied backgrounds, each country has been in turmoil, as large numbers of citizens call for change at national leadership level. They want freedom from the past.
While we watch and wait to see how things turn out, there are already unwelcome consequences for us, for instance in the rise of the price of oil. Apparently, according to the former Chairman of Shell, the very turbulence which leads to significant regime change upsets the stability in trading which the markets crave.
That which drives many of those calling for regime change is a desire for freedom from oppression. And once people have the new regime for which they demonstrate and for which they are willing to suffer in order to win, then a new sort of life should be possible. History, unfortunately, is littered with the replacement of one tyrant by another, and a new form of slavery ensues. Freedom is elusive.
When St. Paul was preaching around the ancient world, he was preaching Regime Change, brought about through trusting Jesus Christ. Instead of being slaves to the religious and ethnic conventions of his day, Jesus brings freedom, fro those prepared to throw off the old ways.
So he writes to his Galatian friends,'So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.' (Galatians 5.1) But Paul had to point out that living a life of true freedom - with a deep-seated Regime Change in our lives - is elusive. 'For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Galatians 5.13-14)
Our Church Weekend will explore this theme of 'Free at Last', so please pray that we learn how to live this way.
Best wishes,
Richard
PS It is great that so many have now booked - but for catering purposes, it is now TOO LATE to book!