Team Rector Writes for November

“Remember – and be Ready…”

Dear Friends,

This month, we rightly remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation in time of war, particularly the two World Wars. Yet, in looking at the state of our world today, we can see how war is a present reality in many places. And there is also a deep anxiety that things could escalate in a way that will affect all of us.

A few weeks ago, the journalist Allan Little wrote an article entitled ‘War may be coming. Are we psychologically ready?’ He pointed out that our government ‘wants us all to start preparing for severe disruption to our lives … to stockpile canned food and drinking water, strengthen our civic resilience, and plan for the possibility of war.’ Furthermore, the Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Richard Knighton said recently that the threat from Russia means that Britain is living through the ‘most dangerous’ period of his 35-year career in the armed forces.

In the face of this threat – particularly that posed by cyber war – how psychologically prepared are we for the increasing prospect of another war? How prepared are we, for example, to make sacrifices in other areas of our national life in order to strengthen our defences?  As we remember the terrible human cost of war, it is tempting to keep our focus on past wars, or else on conflicts ‘out there’. However human nature being what it is, conflict is always part and parcel of the ongoing struggle for a better world, and it affects all of us one way or another.

In a world whose future is now overshadowed with existential threats, whether caused by escalating war, climate crisis, or unchecked rogue AI development, where – we might wonder – is any hope to be found?  Christians believe that the costly hope we have been given once and for all by God is through the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In Jesus Christ, we believe that God has opened a path to true and lasting peace for the whole of creation which, one day, will be fulfilled when Christ returns. At the end of this month on Advent Sunday, we shall be reminded of Christ’s call to “keep awake” and to “keep alert and pray”, as we look forward in hope to God’s promises being fulfilled.  

In the meantime, we are not left on our own. God in Christ walks with us and shares our struggles to overcome evil with good. As we turn to the Lord in faith, and seek the help of His Spirit, God will surely give us what we need to face the challenges of today, and also to prepare for whatever tomorrow may bring.

Every Blessing,

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