This week I continue to reflect on hope-filled actions that can help us to live well in the midst of all that is going on in our world, our country and our local communities.
I start with a story from the bible. It is a story about King David, who was one of the greatest Kings of Israel, and reigned for about 40 years almost 1000 years before Jesus was born. King David is greatly revered, but he was not always a good man, and this story tells of how a prophet called Nathan had to speak truth to the powerful King, and it’s like a plot from East Enders!
King David fell in love with Bathsheba while her husband Uriah was away at war, and she became pregnant. When Uriah returns the King conspires to get him sent back into battle, but not just any battle, but one where Uriah will surely be killed, so that the King can then take Bathsheba as his wife.
It all works out just as David planned and he thinks he has got away with it, but the prophet Nathan challenges the King’s behaviour, and the powerful King is brought to his knees by the bravery of the prophet. Nathen speaks truth to power: he said what needed to be said. It was risky, but he did it because the truth needed to be told.
We can sow seeds of hope in our communities and our world when we dare to speak truth to power and it needs to be done for the sake of all creation, for we live in a world where the powerful too often think they can get away with anything. This is what happened this week when people went onto the streets not to hate or be violent but to show solidarity with those who were at the blunt end of the hatred last week. People gathered to protect immigration centres and to show support for the diverse communities that fill our land. Speaking truth to power isn’t just about words, it is also about actions.
What other power might we need to speak truth to? I’ve decided that one power is social media, as it has a lot of power in our world, and this week we have heard how some of the terrible violence that filled our streets last week was caused by that power: people spreading lies and misunderstandings. We need to be looking out for these things, and when we can, we need to challenge them.
Of course, it is not always that easy and we cannot always speak out. But there are always times when we can, so it is important that we are prepared to look for those times. Sometimes it might be as simple as gently questioning a friend about something they are sharing. Look out for the times: do not stay silent if you can speak out.
We all need, from time to time, to be like the prophet Nathen, for when we do we sow seeds of hope in our world and I know that as those who are being attacked in the hate-filled posts see that people are supporting them and questioning the hate, they are filled with great hope.
We live, Dear God
in this time and this place.
Be with us, for we cannot live without you.
We live, Dear God
in this week and this world.
Be with us, for we cannot live without you.
We live, Dear God,
Needing courage and strength.
Be with us, for we cannot live without you.
May you sow seeds of hope in your community this week.
Rev Anne
