It has been a momentous week in the Middle East. Families have been reunited, refugees have returned to their ruined homes, and – as I write this newsletter – a fragile ceasefire holds. But whilst we all hope that this moment of respite may develop into a long-term, just, political solution, there are already cracks in the foundations. Peace is more than the absence of war: deep wounds, devastating loss, and the long work of reconciliation remain.
Dare we hope for a just solution to the situation? On one view, the Christian view of world history is not encouraging in this regard. On the Mount of Olives, Christ told his disciples to expect wars, famines and natural disasters as well as bewilderment and apostasy amongst his followers. This fragility of experience is also echoed in our own lives. We all know that one moment things can be going swimmingly, but in an instant everything can be turned on its head through unpredictable events – a medical diagnosis, loss of employment, a serious accident.
But despite all this, Christians still have hope because we believe that God’s story ends in redemption, not desolation. We are promised that one day God’s peace will settle like a river, swords will be beaten into ploughshares, and mourning will give way to joy. This may be the work of eternity, but even so we have our own part to play. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians, God has made us to be active participants in the creation of his kingdom on earth: ‘For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building’.
Duncan McCall
