AJ On .. Problems

“As our world faces the increasing problems of climate change, enable your Church to find her voice to share your truth and challenge the ways of rampant materialism, militant politics and subversive disinformation. May the Church speak a prophetic voice to the world, and so bring about that transformation which is a sign of your eternal reign. Amen.”
Peter Taylor, President, Methodist Church of New Zealand.
 
We acknowledge that the comment above is from:
The Methodist Prayer Handbook 2024/2025: Praise and Protest ISBN: 978-1-85852-526-6 p76
 
Doesn’t hold back does he? Powerful stuff isn’t it? What is your initial reaction? I will make a guess and say somewhere between ‘How dare he say that!’ and  ‘He’s right, isn’t he?’
 
I agree it is not comfortable reading. Ironically, it seems to fit in with comments made by a prophet towards the end of the seventh century BCE (nearly 3.000 years ago). The district zoom bible study meeting is about to discuss the very person – Habakkuk! He remonstrated with God. ‘Why are you silent in the face of injustice?’
 
There are many things that seem wrong in the world, that seem alien to us, that surely a loving God would never allow to happen. I do not know why. I do not have all the answers. I do know we have free will. Free will has consequences. Look around you and see the result. We can make differences if we choose. We can make big positive differences if enough people choose to do so.
 
Christians believe pain and suffering of this life are only temporary. If we submit ourselves to God’s will, we can look forward to eternity with Him in heaven, where suffering will be no more.