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A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Rev Lynne Gibson

Good morning.

It has been wisely said that a text without a context is just a con – and it is important to read the words of the prophets in their ancient context. Thousands of years ago, many had no hesitation in speaking out against failing and corrupt leaders of church and state, and people who had wandered far from God.

Words which are firmly rooted in their historical and political context still resonate on multiple levels with us today. Yet we are wary of the interweaving of politics and church or religion or faith. Some of us have grown up watching party politics sneak into our pulpits.

And yet, ‘those who do believe that politics and religion do not mix, don’t understand either’ – words attributed to two different ‘wise men’: Albert Einstein and Mahatma Gandhi.

Can we detach what we believe from how we speak, act, vote and govern? How can faith, which runs deepest and most strongly through us, be compartmentalised? How can values of integrity and compassion be irrelevant in our world?

I have been humbled recently to see a new generation of brave writers, speaking out about the state of their nation: men and women unafraid to preach about the values of the kingdom of God.

While we think that we live in a ultra modern age, where we are masters of our destiny, scripture reminds us that in thousands of years, little has changed. People are still people, with all of their faults, led by failing and fallible leaders. God is still a God of love and compassion, waiting to welcome us back home to himself.

That’s a message which our 21st century prophets still need to proclaim from our pulpits, and our media mountain tops.

Lord, give us a faith which speaks and witnesses to your love and mercy, and teach us when to speak and when to keep silent. Amen

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