To my brothers and sisters in Christ in the UK,
This blog is not about telling you how you should feel politically about the decision to leave the E.U. I am sure there were many of you who voted on both sides. Voting on a matter as weighty as leaving the E.U. is a matter of conscience and we will all have different positions that we sincerely hold.
The decision to leave will have further political ramifications, that much has already been confirmed with the resignation of our Prime Minister David Cameron. Scotland too will almost certainly seek a second referendum for independence. And of course, we now have our relationship with the E.U. to negotiate and clarify.
However, I want to come back to the theme of sojourning: spiritual sojourning.
Paul speaks of spiritual contentment (Phil 4:11) as well as the peace of God that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7). It is in uncertain times such as these that we must look to Christ for our stability and assurance.
Our country has a long history of political change: the waves of Roman, Saxon, Viking and then Norman conquests. The Civil War that resulted in us becoming a republic under Oliver Cromwell and the beheading of King Charles I. The Acts of unions with Scotland (1707) and Ireland (1800). The decline of the British Empire. Times change. Politics changes. And if our contentment is placed in governments, or institutions or political treaties then our worlds will inevitably fall into confusion and we shall have no peace.
Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's vision of a great statue made of gold and silver, bronze, iron and clay (Daniel 2). The statue represented the various kingdoms of the ancient world, each one succeeding the last. And a stone cut from a mountain was hurled at the statue smashing it to pieces. This stone represented the kingdom of God. It is an everlasting kingdom.
As Christians, we are sojourners in this world precisely because we belong to this everlasting and enduring kingdom. Despite the tremendous change that has taken place in the world over the past two thousand years, God has faithfully preserved for Himself a remnant: His Church. We are members of God's Church - the bride of Christ - and as such we are part of something bigger and greater than any one country or even group of countries. We are part of a history and tradition and kingdom that goes all the way back to Christ. Take heart in this fact. Draw strength from this continuity. And ultimately find rest in the cornerstone of the Church, Christ Jesus Himself (Matt 11:28).
Paul suffered tremendous hardships in his ministry to the gentiles and still found contentment in plenty or in want (Phil 4:11). Let us look to the example of the apostle Paul. The referendum result has been described as a seismic shift in the political life of the UK. The result tells of a nation divided (52% to 48%). Our country is in need of healing. How though will we be able to provide the hope, counsel and reassurance people will be looking for if we ourselves are so caught up in our political affiliations and directing our energy in a political cause?
Please don't misunderstand me; I am not disparaging politics or the importance of our civic duty. There is nothing wrong with supporting a political party. However, my point is that there is something profoundly liberating about being first and foremost a child of God, rather than a British citizen; about finding our identity in Christ (Gal 2:20) rather than in our country. The Church is the pillar and foundation/buttress of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15). Therefore, let us be the pillar we are called to be. Let us provide our country with the hope, light and truth of the Gospel that it so desperately needs at this time.
Remember, Jesus said foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head (Matt 8:20). As Christians this is fundamentally our reality in this world. We are not of the world (John 15:19).
We are sojourners.
But our sojourning does not mean we are impoverished or to be pitied. We have something the world can never take away from us. Something the world looks for in vain. Let us treasure the kingdom of God as we should (Matt 13:44) and remain joyful amidst all the disappointment and uncertainty this world brings.
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