Dear Trinity (10/11/24)
Pastoral Letter on our Cosmic Spasms
Dear Trinity, Jesus’ grace.
Hurricane winds, devastating fires, quaking, shaking rapidly changing landscapes. Spasms of weather seem to be mimicking cultural and societal convulsions. Jesus warned that before the end of this age, there would be ecological instability, geopolitical upheaval, and falling away from the community of Christ (Matthew 24.3-8). Jesus calls this time of greater tribulation, “the beginning of the birth pangs.” Whether that time Jesus prophesied about is now or still to come, it is important to remember a few things.
That time of increased instability, upheaval, and falling away is not the death of the creation, but birth pangs for what is to come–the new creation! Romans 8.18-22; Matthew 19.28. The so-called, “end times” is actually better understood as “end-of-this-age-times,” because God is planning a re-genesis! He will remake us and the whole cosmos by the power of his word (he has actually already begun!). He will make all things new, not all new things (Revelation 21.5).
While tempted to be fearful or anxious or to escape through various coping mechanisms, Jesus presents a stabilizing and sober stance: discern what is true (truth matters); and don’t let your love grow cold (love matters–Matthew 24.9-14). This is a great challenge during days of increased propaganda and the demonization/dehumanization of the ‘other.’ The mark of the church that does not fall away from Jesus is cruciform sacrificial love for neighbors and enemies, and an embrace of the truth of all that God has said in his word. Truthful love and loving truth–not either/or, but both/and. Dear one, hold on (endure) to our true and loving God—he is holding on to you!
Helmut Thielicke, one of my favorite writers, lived during the spastic season of the Nazi reign of terror. While everything around him shook, he preached confidently, “We do not know what is coming, but we know who is coming. The final hour belongs to us. We need have no fear of the next minute” (H. Thielicke, Being a Christian When the Chips are Down, 28).
Jesus’ peace, Nathan
PS: The webpage for our weekly podcast, Low in the Water, from the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination is live now. Check it out here!
Great words! Exactly what I was thinking but couldn’t write it as well as you. I’m using one sentence you quoted for my Facebook page.