Approaching 2015

I could, as this New Year gets underway, write a piece reminding you of the recent woes the world has seen. Then, if I was to go on and say that I couldn’t see any reason why 2015 should be any better and could in fact be worse, undoubtedly I would be labelled by many as a prophet of doom and gloom. If, on the other hand, I was to write a piece declaring that God is on his throne and that his purpose of securing everlasting joy are being worked out for his people, then some would sneer and move on to the next article.

Well actually this is just what happened when John the Baptist, a somewhat austere, doer and hermit-like prophet, preached about ungodliness, judgement and the need for repentance. Then, when he was silenced because of his uncomfortable message, Jesus came eating and drinking and socialising, while teaching about a Kingdom which consisted of hope now and with the best yet to come. Many sneered and dismissed him as either mad or even in league with the devil.

Both of these ways of bringing God’s message had their place. Those people who took exception did so because they felt the lives they had established were threatened. No one likes to have the fragility of their position exposed when it is all they have to hope for. Similarly, many will not want ‘pie in the sky when they die’ if it means risking the morsel of bread they already have on their plate now.

So do Christians or Muslims or Jews have the answers to the problems which will inevitably beset the world in 2015? ‘No’ is the short answer, though I hope that all will play their part in seeking to alleviate need and uphold justice. However, as a Christian I am banking on God’s one answer to evil, pain and all that has defaced his good creation. That answer is bound up lock, stock and barrel in the person of Jesus Christ.

In just what way Jesus is the answer will become increasingly apparent to us personally once we recognise the fragility of our own lives and are willing to let go of our morsel of bread and take Him seriously. As one’s trust in Jesus takes root and grows, we can expect to see our faith begin to express itself in practical ways which reflect God’s own interest in the needy and hurting world of 2015.