In 2008 the US presidential campaign became one of the most
intriguing in recent years. A moderate republican and the democrats looking at
either the first ever female president or the first ever black president. There
was a significant sense of anticipation in the States and around the world.
Barack Obama ran a very memorably campaign with the mantra of ‘yes we can’ following his every move. Maybe
things would be different this time.
In our own islands we saw the 1997 general election swing to
Labour and huge anticipation of a nation looking for real change and things to
be different. Only in 2010 did we see
another opportunity for renewed hope with the first coalition government since
the Second World War. Maybe things would be different this time.
Politicians of all
flavours seem to promise more than they can ever deliver, and I think that is
where some of our scepticism comes from. Political leaders (and religious
leaders) seem to inspire hope only to see people knocked off their pedestal.
We’re tired of hypocrisy and genuinely seek change. No matter how often history
seems to repeat itself there is a hope deep inside us longer for something
more, something better. “Maybe things
would be different this time.”
Maybe our expectations are too great, do we actually look to
our political and religious leaders to bring about the change that is so
desperately needed in our world? We see things that are wrong in the world and
we ask ‘who’s in charge, they should fix
this.’ We can identify the things
that are broken and wrong, but who’s responsible and who has the power and
authority to deal with it.
However I don’t think that our expectations are unrealistic;
it’s just that we often put our faith in the wrong places. For real ‘Change we can believe in’ Firstly I
need to recognise that I need to change,
and secondly I need to recognise that I
need the power of God to change me. This is the kind of change that doesn't
disappoint.
We've being talking at Glasgow City Mission about Change in
the people we serve. A hope that the power of God will have a significant
effect on their lives. This is not a vain hope for change is core to the
Christian message. It’s about sinners becoming saints, broken becoming whole,
lost becoming found, warmonger becoming peacemaker, and the dead becoming
alive.
Glasgow City Mission is having an evening of celebration and storytelling. It’s open to all and will
include stories from our clients, an opportunity to hear from Bethany Christian Trust and their award winning ‘Passing the Baton’ programme,
as well as a time for worship and prayer for the city.
Come and hear how you
could be part of change.
Sunday September 15th 6.30pm at St Silas Church Glasgow.
Further Details are on www.glasgowcitymission.com
