Beyond Brexit by Eileen Padmore
No, this is not a political rant. It has very little to do with politics at all. Was the word 'Brexit' even in the English language five years ago? Now, it seems to have taken over. But it's not about the word either and sorry, no writing tips – unless to say don't side-step around tricky subjects!
What concerns me is the polarisation. You have to be in one camp or another with each convinced they are hanging on to the coat tails of democracy. Even strong families are split down the middle and some think the constitutional crisis the worst since the civil war.
Christians in both camps are convinced that God is on their side and I am not neutral. Several friends have invited me to sign petitions that my conscience has led me to decline. I respect their views but my response has been a plea to agree to differ and instead, follow the guidance laid down in the Bible to pray for our leaders – even if we don't like them. Tough, because it takes the power away from us and gives it back to God where it belongs.
That is my more rational self. Underneath I find intolerance, anger and a judgemental spirit.
I was once privileged to attend a talk by Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche communities worldwide. This loving giant of a man said, 'If you press the right buttons I can get very angry. That is because I am a mess. But it's OK with God so long as you own up to being a mess.'
He was so right. I think there is a spiritual battle raging over this nation for which Brexit is the focus but that has much deeper roots. Nationally we are in a horrible muddle but instead of identifying the cause, we castigate each other.
Disaster has threatened before. At Dunkirk only a miracle could save us. Queues formed outside churches in response to the King's call for prayer, whilst the Prime Minister made reference to victory in 'God's good time.' But the recent film about Dunkirk (which took enormous pains to be authentic) failed to acknowledge any part that God might have played in the miraculous deliverance of those 338,000 men from the Normandy beaches.
In the words of a former Prime Minister, 'we don't do God.' He embarrasses us so we keep him private, play him down or bring him out on state occasions wrapped securely in the safe distance of tradition and pomp.
Yet the Bible is at the heart of Westminster. Every day MPs walk over that beautiful Pugin tiled floor in Central Lobby with its encircling Latin inscription from Psalm 127 which translates: 'Except the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.'
Perhaps as a nation we need to repent and ask for help. I take comfort from the growing number of prayer groups formed for that purpose.
Eileen Padmore has retired from a life spent in health care and academia, having worked in Sierra Leone, Zambia, Eire and Northern Ireland (in the troubles) as well as inner city Birmingham and Leeds. She has had articles published in Woman Alive, Christian Writer and contributed to the popular ACW Lent Book. Last November she claimed NaNo 2018 winner at first attempt. Married to a professional musician, the family includes a feisty springer spaniel and a large African tortoise.
What concerns me is the polarisation. You have to be in one camp or another with each convinced they are hanging on to the coat tails of democracy. Even strong families are split down the middle and some think the constitutional crisis the worst since the civil war.
That is my more rational self. Underneath I find intolerance, anger and a judgemental spirit.
I was once privileged to attend a talk by Jean Vanier, founder of L'Arche communities worldwide. This loving giant of a man said, 'If you press the right buttons I can get very angry. That is because I am a mess. But it's OK with God so long as you own up to being a mess.'
He was so right. I think there is a spiritual battle raging over this nation for which Brexit is the focus but that has much deeper roots. Nationally we are in a horrible muddle but instead of identifying the cause, we castigate each other.
Disaster has threatened before. At Dunkirk only a miracle could save us. Queues formed outside churches in response to the King's call for prayer, whilst the Prime Minister made reference to victory in 'God's good time.' But the recent film about Dunkirk (which took enormous pains to be authentic) failed to acknowledge any part that God might have played in the miraculous deliverance of those 338,000 men from the Normandy beaches.
In the words of a former Prime Minister, 'we don't do God.' He embarrasses us so we keep him private, play him down or bring him out on state occasions wrapped securely in the safe distance of tradition and pomp.
Yet the Bible is at the heart of Westminster. Every day MPs walk over that beautiful Pugin tiled floor in Central Lobby with its encircling Latin inscription from Psalm 127 which translates: 'Except the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.'Perhaps as a nation we need to repent and ask for help. I take comfort from the growing number of prayer groups formed for that purpose.
Lord in your mercy ............ hear our prayer!
I agree, Eileen. We have as a nation turned away from God. (And I’m not referring to people who have come more recently and who follow other religions.). We need to turn back to God, and put him at centre of our lives.
ReplyDeleteYou point to growing numbers of prayer groups. The small church that we have is actually very vigorous and very thoughtful but it struggles to evangelise.
To be fair, Eileen, it was not PM Tony Blair who said 'We don't do God', it was his media secretary Alastair Campbell. Blair quite rightly, though I am sure his faith influenced his policies, kept explicit mention of it out of his political life because he was called to govern for the whole country, not just the Christians. In my belief there is no such thing as 'a Christian country' - only Christian individuals and communities, who may certainly seek to serve their country but have no right to impose the requirements of their faith upon it.
ReplyDeleteI think we do have a strong Christian heritage that has strongly influenced all our major institutions and that we are now intent on throwing overboard at a rapid rate. It is in that sense that we have / have had a Christian country.
ReplyDelete