On the Brink

Winter storms have driven some communities to wonder whether they will survive into the future. Changes in the Legal Aid system have led senior lawyers to claim that the Criminal Justice system is on the brink of collapse. Changes in the benefit system are making an increasing impact on the most vulnerable in our communities, and some wonder whether they are on the brink of survival. 

And at the start of 2014, many are reflecting on Europe 100 years ago, on the brink of the Great War.

And so I could go on.

How do we cope when we are on the brink of disaster and death? 

These are questions faced by faithful people for centuries. On the other hand, we are so used to a life of relative comfort and stability, that we are less used to facing these sorts of issues.

My mind goes again to the closing verses in Hebrews chapter 11, the great record of the experiences of faithful people down the centuries. 'Some were jeered at, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in prisons. Some died by stoning, some were sawed in half, and others were killed with the sword. Some went about wearing skins of sheep and goats, destitute and oppressed and mistreated. They were too good for this world, wandering over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.' (Hebrews 11.36-38)

It is startling that people who trust God have often had to face such terrible situations. Why did they not just give up believing that God is good and that faithfulness is what we are called to? Because in the midst of their troubles, they knew the goodness and promises of God. 'They were tortured, refusing to turn from God in order to be set free. They placed their hope in a better life after the resurrection.' (Hebrews 11.35) The astonishing climax of these stories includes people like us in the finale. 'All these people earned a good reputation because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. For God had something better in mind for us, so that they would not reach perfection without us.' (Hebrews 11.39-40)

We are called to live faithfully, trusting Jesus to be with us, because people like us are 'following Jesus where the need is greatest' (as the new slogan for Tearfund says)

Are you committed to this calling? I am, by God's mercy. Let's make a difference where we are, for the sake of those in need.

Best wishes,

Richard