Daily Reading: 28 March

(from www.christianaid.org.uk)

'Visionary... Voiced.'

Something to read

For I am about to create new heavens and a new earth;
 the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind.
 But be glad and rejoice for ever in what I am creating; 
for I am about to create Jerusalem as a joy, and its people as a delight.

- Isaiah 65:17-19 from full reading Isaiah 65:17-25.

Something to think about

1.  A picture presented:
this world
as God intended.

Full and flourishing,
brimming with life;
people living, not dying,
not on others relying,
but knowing God supplying
housing and harvests,
work and well-being,
peace and their prospering.

2. This picture distorted:
His world groaning
under our owning;
the vision thwarted.

The choices we’re making
draining the life
from planet and people.
Climate is changing.
The rains re-arranging
their coming and going;
water sources vanishing
or flowing in spate.

3. A picture revealed:
earth healed
when Christ comes again.

But until then
it falls to us
who follow Him
and hear His call
to see it all
as it really is…
and our part in this.

We can go on being ‘takers’
of all that God gave us
or we can become
movers and shakers
who turn this world upside down

as we say ‘Your kingdom come,

Your will be done’, through us,

this, and every day.

Something to do

Take a few moments to draw, take or imagine the picture as described in Isaiah's words. 

Something to pray

Almighty God, thank you for the pictures in your word of your power to redeem and restore,

not just sinful and fallen human beings, but all of your creation.

Help us to recognise both our privilege and our responsibility, as your people,

to partner with you in drawing this world back towards all you intended it to be until that time when,

in Christ, all things are made new. Give us the courage to, here and now,

voice a vision of this world where justice prevails and where all people have what they need to flourish,

and to know fullness of life in you.

In Jesus’ name we ask it.

Amen.

Today's contribution is slightly adapted from an original piece by the Rev Fiona Forbes, Minister of Harmony Hill Presbyterian Church, which is situated in Lambeg on the north side of the city of Lisburn. Fiona is also Convener of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland’s World Development Committee at the time of writing.