finding a new eden

July 6, 2020

Good afternoon,

" We will not go back to normal. Normal never was. Our pre-corona existence was not normal other than normalized greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion, extraction, disconnection, confusion, rage, hoarding, hate and lack. We should not long to return my friends. We are being given the opportunity to stitch a new garment . One that fits all humanity and nature. "   Brene Brown ( 2020 )

Prophets, futurists and seers have often looked into the future, to see where we can be a more excellent society. The Reformation was to be a revolution that would be good for all people. The two world wars in the last century were supposed to end all hatred. I do not see how we can believe that war will bring lasting peace. We know there is vast inequality in our world, when just a few billionaires have more than half the monetary resources of the whole earth.

But, how do we restructure the whole world ? None of us want to see anyone in poverty, so how can we make sure that health care, access to water, access to food, and good housing can be seen as human rights ? Even as we live through the pandemic, we hear different voices about how it is passed to people, what is the best way to stop it, and all the controversy on wearing masks.  There are seemingly double messages all over the news and social media. Is it possible to come together to make the world a more safe and equal place ? Can we return to Eden ?  On all media, there are so many experts trying to tell us what the world will look like in six months, a year and two years. Who are we to believe ? What are we to do ?

" The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. "      Revelation 22:3-5

The above passage is near the end of John's vision. It is written to a community under threat from the Empire and their lions. John is trying to tell the community that God is in control, and that there is a new vision at the end of this time of persecution.  He is trying to comfort them with a vision of safety and compassion. What is our message from the church to the community about a new vision for the world ?

Prayer

I have not heard the answer from you yet, O Lord.

You want all suffering to end,

but you have given us freedom in our faith and life.

Help us not to look out only for ourselves and Canada.

I do not know what heaven on earth looks like.

O Lord, help me to see new visions.

for the church,

and your earth.         AMEN

Fred

Tread on bold new paths !

Fireflies flash the direction

Hope springs eternal           Monica Pieper Landoni 2020

Fred Redekop

Pastor

Poole Mennonite Church