I am writing in a trip to Lancashire, a trip I have been planning since September this year. Particularly anxious to meet Australian charismatic minister Brett Murphy who has seen the Free Church of England Church in Morecambe grow into a vibrant community.
In reflecting on a tumultuous 2024, it seems that “Good will” that the angels proclaimed seems to be in short supply. It seems that division and suspicion abounds indeed.
Scandals abound, families divide, hurt all around.
What motives do we have to believe in cultivating “Good Will” ? We have the Christmas reminder that God coming into our midst in Jesus is the greatest motive and one we need to be reminded of not in the traditional setting every Christmas, that gets tiring and gets worn. The “Good will” is not confined to just a celebration but quiet meditation of this fact must be had staving off the temptation to let the buzz of Christmas in family, in TV, Internet, even in special Church celebrations to reflect deeply what “Goodwill” means.
It means that the desire to spread suspicion and negativity must give way to speaking from insight that Christmas is about birthing the new things of God.
Then a focus not on conspiracy but careful preparation. There is a definite insight in God in how He desires to bring the new things in that it is to transform the human heart from self centredness.
There are two dimensions to Good will that we need to know. The vertical, in that God fills the heart and changes the focus. From me, my and I. To Jesus, Father and Holy Spirit. Then horizontal in that God makes all the conditions for true community and unity.
What our society needs is the Church to realise this Good Will from the Church and to filter out to the world in word and deed.
Maranatha!
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