Daily Reading: 24 February
(from www.christianaid.org.uk)
Another chance for action.
Something to read
The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.
- Jonah 3:5.
Something to think about
30 September 2019: The last of the illegal occupants of the Mau Forest, in the Rift Valley of Kenya, left the area, fortunately without any incident this time. For over 30 years, the forest known as Kenya’s 'water tower' had been encroached on and destroyed by both rich and poor. Previous attempts to vacate the precious forest met with resistance because it had become a political hot potato. By the time of the evacuation, it is estimated that 220,000 of its 675,000 acres had been destroyed. This has and continues to have a damaging impact on the eco-system.
Many people considered this evacuation the last chance for the forest. The goodwill to act was pegged on the positive political climate in the country. Had nothing happened this time, the damage to the forest would have been almost irreversible. One million trees were planted immediately.
Like Jonah there is a second chance to speak out and call people to change, for the forest and for all our environment. God’s creation has been crying for our voice, but we have been silent, hushed by external factors such as politics. Jonah began his foray into the large city by going a day’s journey. All it takes is the first word, the first action. Climate change is now a crisis that equally calls for steps of repentance in our behaviour. If not, both we and our environment will soon be destroyed. After Jonah was given a second chance to proclaim the coming judgment, 'The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.'
Something to do
What 'second chance' do you need to take?
Something to pray
Lord my voice unmute,
that the word of concern spoken
for the environment and its care,
richly flourish and well taken
help to bear fruit.
Today's contributor is Bob Kikuyu. Bob is Global Theology Advisor at Christian Aid. He previously served for 18 years in the pastoral ministry, 11 of them as the Senior Minister of a congregation. He is based in Nairobi, Kenya where he was born and raised.