Take heart, Christian

Dear Friends,

It’s not hard to feel that everything is going against Christians in the UK at the moment. There are proposals to extend marriage to same-sex couples, a possible ban on wearing a cross in the workplace if the employer requires it, and now perhaps the extension of Sunday trading hours beyond the Olympics. It’s easy to start feeling sorry for ourselves.

First, we need to get some perspective. It has been estimated that, on average, of all the Christians alive in the world today, one in every two hundred is likely to be martyred. That would mean at least one person from our church! That statistic should sober us somewhat, and help to keep us from self-pity.

Further, and more important, is the assurance that, with Christ, we are on the winning side. If you need reminding of that, it’s worth reading Psalm 2 again: ‘Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. “Let us break their chains”, they say, “and throw off their fetters.”’ And what does God do? “The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them … saying, “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” So there! The puny efforts of proud human beings to defy God are ultimately so pathetic, they are laughable. They are the ones who need our pity, and our prayers. So, take heart, Christian.

Chris Hobbs,

Vicar.