HI Church,
I have a lot of mixed feelings today writing this e-news. A lot can happen in 36 hours.
I went into the weekend receiving some wonderful news of My Son Caleb announcing his engagement to his long-time girlfriend, Julia. Anyone who has met them will know what a wonderful loving and godly couple they are. I received that news, just after one of my longest friends announced his daughter getting engaged, joy was overflowing. Love was truly in the air in the first half of the weekend.
Then Our wonderful Grace Church Team of volunteers pulled off a magnificent car park Carols event, which was of the highest quality, visually and audibly, with generous food supply and cool drinks and barista coffee and the best donuts I have ever tasted. (Thank you, Wes). Thank you to all who worked so hard to make it happen.
Then travelling home after we packed up, we were shocked to hear the news of the most heinous crime committed. Two gunmen, a father and son, slaughtering 16 everyday ordinary Australians having a lovely time on Bondi Beach and it appears its racially and religiously motivated, as most of the victims have Jewish heritage. This is outrageous that hatred born in another country is brought into our suburbs as an attempt to rip apart the tolerant and easy going and normally safe fabric of our society.
On one hand I want to celebrate love and on the other I grieve the loss of so many innocent lives and I want to be angry at those who seek to destroy us.
For us Christians, Christmas is a time to announce the good news that a saviour was born for all men. The Jewish Australians were celebrating Hanukkah, ä festival of light, where a candle is lit everyday over an eight-day period. It’s a reminder of the second rededication of the Second temple in Jerusalem, after it was desecrated by Syrian/Greek invaders in approx. 165 BC. It’s a time for Jewish families to gather, celebrate resilience and bring light into the darkness. Sounds like something worth celebrating.
If there was ever a race upon the earth that needed resilience its the Jews, with so many against them. So what should we do? We need to not become haters like that murderous father and son. Rather we need to be light bearers and Goodnews sharers. And remain celebraters of Love rather than hate. We need to take every opportunity to do good to all, and to love our enemies and demonstrate the more excellent way of love.
It would appear that the hero of the day, who was also shot, was a man of Muslim background preventing further Jewish bloodshed. Not all people of the same faith are the same. All people of all backgrounds will feel the betrayal of the few against the many today.
So lets pray for our State, Our Country, for our leaders, for God’s grace and mercy to permeate into every level of authority and society so that His love and His peace which passes all understanding, will rule and reign. Let’s pray for love to have victory over hate. Let’s pray for our Australians of Jewish faith and heritage, that they will be protected and feel the love and acceptance of their nation, rather than the hate of those who seek to tear us all apart. Pray there will not be retribution from others against Muslims because they dress different or stand out in the crowd.
At the end of the day Jesus is the answer for our world’s troubles, pray all will turn to Him.
The Peace of the Lord be with you all.
Ps Greg and Amanda.