Peace in our times

Politicians and religious leaders spend a lot of time and effort attempting to bring 'peace in our times'. Lasting peace is elusive and impossible purely by human effort and ingenuity. Most people fail to see that if they don't deal with the underlying causes of unrest, the problem will never be identified, and peace will never be created.

Our approach to producing peace often fails to dig deep enough. Jeremiah, the ancient prophet of Israel, faced this shallow approach to peace. He wrote on more than one occasion, 'Peace, peace when there is no peace?' Jer 6.14, Jer 8.11. People then, as in our day, were looking at life in a very superficial way. They had treated the word of God with contempt by ignoring what it said. The reason there was no peace was the sinful lifestyles of people. The same is true today. We cannot expect to have peace when we break the moral code of God (as nations, families and individuals) and flagrantly ignore the principles that are for our good. Scripture says, 'Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people,' Prov. 14. 34.

October - A month of change

 

This month brings many changes, noticeable in October maybe more than in any other month, writes Bert Cargill of St Monans Gospel Hall. Daylight hours get less, mornings and evenings get darker. Fields become bare and brown, and gardens are losing their attractive summer colours. Fruit trees have been emptied of their bounty, but then the beauty of the autumn colours in the woods and forests is a special wonder while it lasts. The beginning of the month feels like a bit of summer, but the end of it can be like a cold winter’s day, big changes all in the space of a few weeks.

 

These changes in the landscape are predictable and beautiful in their own way, but looking round the political landscape at home and abroad things are not at all predictable. No one knows how all these conflicts, demands and proposals will eventually work out! Already they are affecting our daily lives, increasing the costs of fuel and other things. 

The challenges of life

 

Life can be challenging and often presents unexpected obstacles. I am currently in Aberdeen attending the wedding of a young man and his bride, whom I have known since he was born. He is the youngest son of dear friends. Unfortunately, his grandfather passed away suddenly just over two weeks before the wedding. They are a very close-knit family, and they would have loved for him to be present at this special occasion.

 

I feel the need this month to reach out to those of you who are struggling. Unfortunately, life often involves suffering, and we all grapple with this reality. It's common to feel angry when life presents us with such complex challenges. As hard as it may be to accept, the Bible teaches that nothing in life is random or without purpose. Nothing happens without God's permission. This doesn't mean we understand why things happen or believe they are fair. 

The Key to Kindness

 

Kindness is at the very heart of the Christian gospel. The Bible calls us to embody compassion, forgiveness, and love, and history shows us powerful examples of this lived out in the UK during the 20th century, such as the work of the British Red Cross during wartime relief efforts.

In reality, kindness is not optional for Christians. It is commanded. Scripture reminds us to “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This verse captures the essence of kindness, rooted in God’s forgiveness and love. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrates kindness to the marginalised: the leper, the Samaritan woman and the tax collector, to name but three. His acts were not mere politeness but radical compassion that broke social barriers.