Last week Friday, Linda and I and some of our young adults were enjoying some fellowship in a small London restaurant. We shared stories, both serious and fun; and enjoyed the food and our shared company the way countless people do on Friday nights all over the world. As we sat in a balcony area overlooking the main level, my eyes caught distant images from a TV screen seemingly of something unsettling that had happened overseas. Upon my return home I turned on the news to have my concerns affirmed: Terror Attack Upon Paris. The reality of main street shops, clubs, and restaurants serving as the front line in a war we didn’t sign up for is profoundly unsettling to our culture. Goodness, I just returned from a night out myself. The victims. Each one living and weaving a life that spoke to family, friends and lovers: we know them as a collective casualty count: 130 dead. In response, we collectively rail, protest, and mourn – as we are connected through technology and media to events worldwide as never before. Yet, I listened and watched the aftermath with a gnawing dissatisfaction. There was no shortage of words from newscasters, politicians, bureaucrats, social theorists, and such like: but adding up to nothing but fog. Oh, we sometimes (eventually) get some of the most basic of facts straight – who, what, where. But the why is well beyond our world’s grasp.
A century or so ago The Times of London invited essay submissions writing to the title: “What is wrong with the world?” Among the submissions was the following:
Dear Sirs,
I am.
Yours truly,
G.K. Chesterton
The fundamental reason we are unable to comprehend, comfort, or change society is that we are collectively living in a dream world. By dream world I mean a worldview violently wrenched from reality: who God is and who we are. As I watched the news that night, and turned to writers the next day, there was not a single mention of God. No wonder we are frustrated and fearful, we have rigged the game against ourselves. We are trying to navigate a cluttered room after refusing to turn on the light – and upset because we keep stubbing our toe. And while we are at it, lets blame the light!
As we approach Christmas, Pastor Andrew and I will be teaching from John chapter 1. In his own words, John tells us why he wrote the words he wrote in his Gospel: “but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (20:31)” His Gospel starts majestically: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” He wastes no time telling us why we are to believe what he writes of Christ. I trust you will find comfort from the true light which has come into the world – the Word made flesh.
Much love,
Pastor Gary
p.s. Yesterday, I was forwarded some wise words of reflection on last week’s tragedy from Ravi Zacharias. You may find them here.