On Reflection

From the manse window

IT came as a bit of a surprise, and now it’s all over and done with! Of course I’m referring to the General Election.

The election campaign, the manifestos, rosettes and posters of every hue, the war of words and the various parties promising the electorate the kingdom of heaven – all over!

Party leaders seemed to clash continually on issue after issue as they passionately advanced their own policies – and the poor voters were left more confused than ever.

Undoubtedly there are many election issues in these times on which the political parties have placed varying degrees of emphasis and importance as they vie for our support, but clearly one of the most vital issues of the day for all of us, election or no election, is peace – peace in the world, peace in our hearts and peace in our lives.

The subject is synonymous with the life message and mission of Jesus Christ.

The purpose of him coming in the beginning was peace.

He came, remember, declaring that the world could never give us the kind of peace that he had to offer.

Jesus’s manifesto was peace, from cover to cover, and he dedicated his short earthly life to that very cause, and he died on a wooden cross as the Prince of Peace.

At this point in history, when international relations are extremely sensitive and fragile, we give thanks for those who engage in open and positive reasoning together.

I am sure that all of us give thanks for every positive stride that could ever be made in the “peace” direction.

But still there are wars, still there are conflicts, and still there is so much unrest in the world.

I am therefore positively certain that all of us, regardless of our political or even our religious persuasions, would readily and fervently endorse this heartfelt desire to secure true, lasting peace for all people and for all nations.

Christ our leader has chosen us to follow him and to support him, and it is only by doing this that his campaign may be vigorously fought and triumphantly won.

May we never let him down – may we ever rally to his call and to his cause, for it is only by virtue of such loyal and faithful support that Christ’s manifesto will become policy in the world of our time.

In many ways Jesus Christ as a leader is unique – not least in the sense that we did not choose him as our leader – he chose us instead.

But perhaps he’s unique in this respect, also – that when our leader promises us the kingdom of heaven, he means it!

Next week: Rev. Andrew Watson takes part in a charity car wash.