“…for if you keep silent at this time…. but you and your Father’s house will perish. And who knows, whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this “ Esther 4:14 .
The speaker is Esther’s cousin Mordecai. There is a possibility of a Jewish genocide in the story. Haman has set out a plan for the Jews to be eradicated. Esther must enter the King’s room without permission, and her life might be ended. Her dilemma is whether to risk her life for the life of her faith community ? What would you do ?
There is an international agreement to abolish nuclear weapons. The “ big” countries who own these weapons of mass destruction have not signed on yet. The group advocating for this action won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017. If we do not work towards this, then our world might not survive. It seems the United States under its current President wants a new nuclear arms race because he thinks he can win the race. It is crazy to think like that. It is taking the world hostage with these earth destroying weapons. And the money used could save the poor children of Yemen and elsewhere. Speak to Harold Albrecht, Prime Minister Trudeau, the UN Secretary, and yell it into the sky as well. Why would anyone want to own a nuclear weapon in their own backyard ? To scare people, and make them fear for their lives ? That is just wrong policy.
What do you think of the changes in the weather we have had in the world in the past few years ? Those wildfires in California, the drought here in Ontario, those hurricanes in Florida, the flooding in Bangladesh, and the the four hottest years on record ? Maybe it is just a cycle. We have not had carbon emissions in any other cycle ? Carbon emissions is the outlier. It raises the temperature of the planet. And I am guilty of having too large of a foot in this world. I use too much carbon. How do I stop my out of control life ? We cannot stop our/my addiction ? The United Nations report on climate change is scary. They are not trying to make us feel guilty. They say that we need to change our lifestyles all over the world . We will not change because we feel guilty. That never works. What must I do today ? Do you still think it is just another cycle ?
Tuesday January 1, 2019 begins a new year. Maybe our faith has called us to such a time as this. It might just be the time for all of us to become activists. The problems and concerns are enormous for all of us little people to deal with us alone. Can we work together ? We cannot just throw up our arms or just throw up, and give up to despair. We must remain positive, and work the best for the entire planet. These are planetary problems, so our governments and international organizations must be our leaders. We must write to them because we can, and must invite them to find plans to save us all, from ourselves.
Jesus said the Kingdom is for our children. We must act as caregivers to the planet , so that our children and grandchildren can live in this kingdom we call Earth. Let us all have a great year in 2019. We have to, for the Kingdom
Fred Redekop
Ponder Anew 