Speculation and conspiracy theories grow like a mushroom cloud, and fear lurks behind the possible answers. Finding the truth to these questions will help to deal with the trauma.
There are other situations where we need to be clear about the answers to these sorts of questions.
On Sunday, St. Andrew's Church holds it Annual Parochial Church Meeting. While we will be looking at annual reports, and reviewing what we have done, as a church, we shall also be focusing on 'Who has been doing what?' and thinking about 'Why do we do what we do?
When we are clear on that second question, we can be much more focused about what we do.
St. Paul wrote some startlingly helpful letters to his Christian friends, and they are a treasure trove to help us.
In answering the 'who are you?' questions, Paul was very clear. 'Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.' (Colossians 3.1-2) People who are followers of Christ are not just members of another special-interest club. We are transformed people, caught up in the eternal purposes of the God of the whole universe, living a transformed and transforming life, where Jesus is at the centre.
And that affects everything that we do. 'And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.' (Colossians 3.17)
Rather than limiting our vision for what we should be doing, this should enlarge it.
The deeply troubled world in which we live needs people who are passionate about making a difference, stirred up by the love of God for all. We are the people who could do that both locally and globally. Are we ready for this?
Best wishes,
Richard
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