Daily Reading: 19 January

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

Change of heart

Something to read

Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, ‘The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy.’ And they glorified God because of me.

- Galatians 1:21-24.

Something to think about

The conversion of Saul, who became the apostle Paul, was so significant in history that a ‘Damascus road experience’ has become synonymous with a dramatic chance of mind. Here in Galatians, Paul writes for himself about this pivotal point of his life, and what happened next.

Notably, his reception by the churches was much warmer than we might expect! These folks who had been threatened and intimidated by Saul’s campaigns against them, might have been inclined to be cautious or grudging about receiving his apparent change of heart. They could have first demanded proof of his genuineness, and reparations for the harm done. Instead, we read that they simply heard of his new ministry and praised God for it, recognising the work of God even in someone who had seemed so unlikely.

It's vital that there is space in our campaigning movements for unlikely people to change their minds and join us. After all, that’s what we hope will happen when we lobby, petition and educate! So when businesses or individuals who have previously scoffed at the climate crisis take steps away from polluting practices and towards climate justice, let’s glorify God for that change and encourage the good we see. They may even become as pivotal as Paul did in the movement he joined.

Something to do

Choose a brand that you are a regular consumer of, and write an email to encourage them that you’d love to see them leading the way in working for climate justice. If you have time to research their current policies, you could be specific about what you’d like to see change, but a general message is good too. Use their website to find an email address and mark it FAO the CEO. 

Something to pray

God of second chances, thank you that you call people from all backgrounds and walks of life into your service. Please change the hearts and minds of many who have power, in business and politics, to make great changes towards climate justice. Amen.

Today’s contributor is Rev Claire Jones