A quiet life

"I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people — for kings and all those in authority..." 1 Timothy 2. 1-2

I recall returning from the military front line with the conviction that the spiritual front life is wherever people are. That is to say, we all live and serve on the front line of life. Even those caught up in the drama of military struggle, which can seem more significant - even nobler - are only fighting for the opportunity for their families - and themselves - to live quiet and ordinary lives. Indeed the author of the 1st Letter to Timothy continues:

"... that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness..." This is what the Creator intends for his creation. The trouble is that the creatures he has established. to maintain a sufficiently benign environment in which all may flourish, have queered the pitch by treating our common home as a bottomless pit of resources to be plundered, rather than caring for it as a precious yet fragile ecosystem to be shared and conserved.

Christian Aid is reminding us of the obligations we made to each other through our governments - most recently at the COP 26 talks in Glasgow - to get serious about putting our house in order. It did not go far enough and it is not going fast enough. And those who are suffering most are the least responsible and the most vulnerable. Yet it is coming to us all!

The apostle Paul, who is the author of this Letter to Timothy goes on to remind us that God's intentions for us are not confined to living faithfully in this world but include our being prepared for life in the next. This requires our knowledge of TRUTH and that is found uniquely in a relationship with Jesus Christ, as Saviour and Lord.