The prophetic voice challenges the mainstream worldview, bringing us God’s word as a truth-tipped javelin (to use Eugene Peterson’s phrase.) The prophets used vivid imagery, shocking language and bizarre human theatre to convey God’s truth. Satire is another tool in the prophetic armoury.

I’ve just listened to the new album from Casting Crowns (‘Healer’). This contemporary Christian group often speak to my heart in prophetic fashion, seeing the issues of our modern Western society through the lens of Scripture. Many of their songs have a prophetic ‘bite’ to them (‘Stained Glass Masquerade’ points to the hypocrisy often seen in churches; ‘City On A Hill’ shows us the need to refrain from internal divisions, for example.) The final song on the new album (‘2nd Opinions’ – listen here) has a jaunty country and western tune that houses bitingly satirical lyrics about how we value the world’s opinions and soundbites more than the truths of God’s word. I laughed out loud at the line ‘it’s high time we turned our interest to God’s word instead of Pinterest’, but as with all satire, once the laughter fades, the truth has a chance to linger and change us.

The song looks at our tendency to want a cosy life, following our heart ‘where ere it leads’ without the need for discernment or obedience. It speaks of our reluctance to change (‘it’s just the way I am – I got all the proof I need right here in my Enneagram’) and the beliefs that sound Christian but only go so far, never acknowledging the need to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Christ. It talks about our desire for conformity and compromise, believing all roads lead to Heaven without understanding ‘there’s one throne and I’m not on it… Jesus is the truth, the life, the way.’

The fact that God is a loving heavenly Father directly causes Him to act in loving ways towards His children. This does not mean that life is without troubles or struggles, but it does mean that we don’t go it alone and have direct help from the God who made all things.  Jesus promised that as we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, ‘all these things will be given to you as well.’ (Matt 6:33) The Bible affirms this promise in many other places:

• The Lord bestows favour and honour; no good thing does he withholdfrom those whose walk is blameless. (Ps 84:11)

• I was young and now I am old,yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. (Ps 37:25)

• Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you. (Ps 9:10)

• God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Cor 9:8)

• Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (James 1:17)

The antidote to worry lies in absorbing these truths about God’s character and trusting that out of His grace and mercy, He will meet all our needs and help us in our everyday lives.

During the first lockdown of 2020, we often used to walk in Howell Woods and were blessed to see all the wildflowers growing there, especially the bluebells in May. I particularly like the random nature of wildflowers, how they just seem to spring up in different places, bringing colour and diversity to the woods. They remind me of the wonder and wildness in life and the fact that God cares so much about beauty to give us these little pictures of perfection.

Jesus spoke about the flowers of the field as a sign to us of God’s care (and ultimately to point us to His provision): ‘Why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?’ (Matt 6:28-30) So much of our lives is spent in pointless worry, fretting about the necessities of life as if we were responsible for everything. In commanding us not to worry about these things, Jesus used the illustration of wildflowers. They represent beauty, extravagance and diversity, and most of all, point to a God who looks after His creation.

Winter is a barren season, when few flowers flourish. But spring is coming, with all its glorious wildflowers, and if you are feeling burdened and anxious, fretting about the practicalities of life, I recommend going on a walk and looking at these flowers, holding God’s words to you in your heart as a reminder that when we seek His kingdom and righteousness above everything else, He will sort out the practical things and provide for us. (Matt 6:33-34)

The command ‘do not worry’ (Matt 6:25) is very direct and specific. Worry is defined as feeling anxious or troubled about actual or potential problems. We human beings are very good at worrying. It’s probably the default mode for many people, and largely arises because we like to be in control of things but have to face the fact that there are so many things in life which we can’t control. This creates tension in us and the inevitable consequence of wanting to live as masters of our own destinies leads to problems, with worry, anxiety and fear being the most usual outcomes.

Jesus reminded us in this passage (Matt 6:25-34) that to worry about these basics of life is not what God wants, focussing our attention on the spiritual as well as the physical: ‘Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?’ (Matt 6:25) Yet He does not despise the physical and is well aware of our material needs, reminding us that the God who cares for the sparrow and wildflowers will surely provide for us (see also Phil 4:19). As Corrie Ten Boom said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, it empties today of its strength”, so it is important for us to live in the security of a relationship with a loving heavenly Father if we are to live without worry.

This morning at our morning service, we were privileged to hear about the charity Africa’s Gift. 

Ken Dunn, former deputy headteacher of a Sheffield school, set up this charity some years ago and now works in many countries in Africa, including Lesotho, South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi and Zambia. He spoke about the practical difficulties encountered in something as basic as cooking everyday food, since this has to be done in a cooking pot which involved women walking miles to gather firewood and water and then having to cook for 3-4 hours. Such a method involves smoke inhalation, which is one of the primary causes of death in the area.

The charity works to supply rural villages with cooking pots, which effectively mean that there is no smoke from cooking and people can leave the pot to cook without having to stay there all the time. This enables people to do other things and many women use this additional time to make beautiful jewellery.

A business has now been set up so that these cooking pots can be fabricated in the countries themselves by local people so that they can be helped further. Africa’s Gift also works to plant trees and to help with education, involving schools, university students and church members in mission trips.

Check out the website for further details. We are happy to collect shoes which can be used to raise money for the charity.

Ken Dunn from the charity Africa’s Gift will be speaking at GPCC on Sunday 30th January at the 10.30 a.m. service. Africa’s Gift supports largely rural communities in southern Africa (principally Lesotho, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi) and Uganda, working closely with community members to effect change through the development of practical solutions to clearly identified needs. You can read more about the charity here.

Ken and his wife Karen (who works at Furlong Road Methodist Church in Bolton-on-Dearne and is a member of Dearne Churches Together) live locally and we are excited to find out more about this charity. Ken will be bringing a pop-up shop of items made in Lesotho and will be showing a video of the work they do in different areas. They are also involved in taking teams of students and volunteers to help on practical projects in these countries.