…we will be continuing to ‘unwrap hope’ as we look at a ‘hope declared’. The meeting will start at 10.15am for refreshments for a 10.30 start at the MAC in Cannon Hill Park.
2pm local time on August 5th marked the beginning of a 65 day ordeal that was later to ignite a united sense of hope around the world. As two groups of Chilean miners went about their working day a landslide caused a mining tunnel 1,700ft down to collapse. One group escaped unharmed but a larger group of 33 miners were trapped 2,300ft underground.
Whilst contemplating the line ’Now set the captives free’ during the worship on Sunday an interesting thought process was triggered.
Last week saw the release of two high profile cases of people being held captive against their will. Firstly, Aung San Suu Kyi, Nobel Peace Price winner for her non-violent struggle for democracy and human rights was freed after serving a staggered 15 years under house arrest in Burma. Then the following day, news came of the release of a British couple that spent over a year in captivity following their kidnap by Somali pirates. Two sets of different people, detained for very different reasons who are now both enjoying their new found freedom. Yet before the week was over we heard of yet another mining disaster in New Zealand; 29 miners trapped after an explosion on Friday.
As these thoughts drifted around my head there came a moment where these real life stories became powerful imagery depicting the hope, freedom and reconciliation made possible through God’s rescue plan for us.
As the world’s media gathered amongst the relatives and workers at Camp Hope – the aptly named settlement for everyone involved – to capture the moment of jubilation as the Chilean miners safely appeared to the surface one by one; scenes of ecstasy transcended across the globe as the sirens and bells rang out to welcome the loved ones home. The lost had been found.
Yet this scene, one many will never forget, couldn’t have depicted more of a contrast in emotion felt by the miners the moment the tunnel collapsed. As I dwelt on this, it dawned on me that we actually all face this daunting prospect. The tunnel has collapsed, our passage to God has been blocked, ingrained in our inherent fabric we persistently neglect God, whether we know it or not. And we find ourselves trapped in a deep dark hole and no matter how many rocks we try to move in our own strength and ability it will never be enough to dig our way out of the situation we find ourselves in.
Completely buried, the 33 miners could do nothing to hasten their rescue. They could only pray and trust, for their freedom lay solely in the hands of the engineers on the surface. Similarly, it is God’s initiative to rescue us. The bible says we were dead in our transgressions. A dead man cannot cry for help, let alone have the ability to save himself. The opportunity for salvation had to stem from the only one who could save, Jesus Christ. The bible claims that Jesus defeated death, for He raised Himself from the dead.
It was through this that we can have hope. The rescue plan was carefully orchestrated and executed to perfection. A passage was created; a way home has been made.
Less than a month after emerging from the mine Edison Pena, in response to knowing what it was to be free, ran the New York marathon.
A story of hope, freedom and reconciliation. The true hero is the rescuer.
By Pete Lockhart
…This year our Christmas Carol service will be taking place on Sunday 5th December at the Mac in Birmingham at…
…10.30am A family friendly carol service exploring the theme of ‘hope unwrapped’
…6.30pm Exploring the theme of hope unwrapped through Carol’s, spoken word, story telling and performance songs. We are delighted this year to have guest appearances from University of Birmingham Gospel Choir and Animation.
…we will be continuing our series entitled ‘hope’ as we examine how our hope is based in the past which makes all the difference
…looks set to be exciting as we gather for the second time at The Mac to continue our series entitled ‘Hope’.
We have the added bonus of two visting speakers picking up on the Hope theme with Steve Hurd speaking in the morning on ‘Hope in suffering’ and Terry Hotchkiss in the evening on ‘Hope in healing’.
So Sunday looks set to be one not to miss!
(Remember to arrive at 10:15am for free tea and coffee to avoid disappointment)
While watching Jeremy Paxman’s interview with Russell Brand last Friday, I was challenged by something Russell said. Towards the end of the interview he stated,“…we need to try to aspire to something more beautiful…perhaps if we were more in tune with more beautiful things we wouldn’t prioritise such peculiar notions”. As I listened I realised, I too often settle for ‘peculiar notions’ rather than beauty.
The deal is at the centre of my faith in God is beauty…
…a beauty that started through something that seemed so ugly, Jesus’ death on a cross, yet through His resurrection reveals such beauty. As what appears so ugly was needed in order that God could bring about restoration to everything including me that is broken…and that is beautiful.
…a beauty that is revealed in a future hope when God will ultimately restores everything and the world will be how it was always designed to be. A place where there is no more pain, suffering death and where God is visibly known and present.
I therefore want to be one who does look to what is of true beauty. In order to inspire me to see it realised in more ways everyday through…
…the hungry being fed
…the homeless being housed
…the distressed being comforted
…seeking peace where there is conflict
...justice being sought where there is exploitation
…ultimately through people knowing restored relationship with God.
I want to live to celebrate, reveal and enjoy true beauty.
How about you?
…this coming Sunday we have the privilege of welcoming two visiting speakers continuing our hope theme. Steve Hurd will be speaking on hope in suffering in the am and Terry Hotchkiss will be speakingt on hope in healing in the evening.
I recently attended a centenary celebration of a local school founded by George Cadbury. One of the lasting impacts of this celebration was a photo of George Cadbury’s funeral…the street’s were filled with crowds. As I stood looking at the photo and the scores of people at the time who had been impacted by his life, I realised here I was 100 years on continuing to be impacted by his life.
George Cadbury realised that his faith in God meant he was here to make a difference which he did through housing, employing, feeding and educating…he brought hope!
A hope that I still get to enjoy and be challenged by.
I know that faith in Jesus changes anyone, as it gives us a true sense of security, value, peace and hope…but the deal is is it doesn’t end there as it then causes me and others to then reveal, point to and cause others to know the same.
I am left wondering what Birmingham would like if I and others became a lot more like George Cadbury and allowed our faith to impact the city?
I am left wondering where the entrepreneurs like George Cadbury are? (and am I doing enough to encourage them)
On a day when the Birmingham Post warns there are a predicted 13,000 jobs to be lost in Birmingham I am left thinking surely if there was ever a time to reveal security, value, peace and hope…it is now!
