Two of my kids have just sat their year 12 History exam. It’s fascinating to look at how the actions of humanity have shaped and affected our world. Wars can be traced back to human action, whether it was to increase someone’s empire, enrich a nation or settle a long-held grievance. Similarly, some people live in poverty because other people refuse to share resources. Children die across the world from easily preventable diseases because we refuse to give assistance without getting something in return. We pollute the air, land and sea in our efforts to ensure unrestricted economic growth. Our actions have consequences and the world we live in has been shaped by the consequences of our actions.
In our readings today we are presented with an account of how our world is, and how our world is going to be. In Luke, Jesus warns His disciples that before the end of the present age there will be wars, uprisings and disasters. He encourages them to endure these events as they are to be taken as evidence that the world is not right. They are to look forward to the time to come with hope. Our other reading from Isaiah shows us how life is going to be one day. It will be a new creation marked by peace where no one goes without. As Christians we are to live for this coming time so we show others the hope we have.
One of the things I like about Christianity is that it does not sugar coat the problems of the world. We accept that the world is not right, and we acknowledge the real issues we face. We also accept this is as a result of not living how God has called us to live. What Christianity offers in the face of this is an alternative way to live. An assurance that the way things are today are not the way things will always be. War, poverty, disease and death will not endure and one day will be consigned to history. As Christians we are to live differently in this world to show this other way to live. We are to offer hope that things can, and will, change for the better. We are to look forward to this time to come when all is well.