There are moments that are too overwhelming to comprehend, too brutal to believe, too wrong to justify, too painful to cope, when no words or actions can do justice to what has happened. Friday 15th March 2019 will forever be a day that encompassed all of those reactions for so many both here in New Zealand and abroad.
It may be that for a while to come whenever we hear sirens we will remember last Friday. Our heart maybe burdened with empathy when we read the names and see the faces of those effected. It is forever etched in our history, in our lives, as well as the history of our country.
As I sit and write these words I look out at the beautiful Port Hills, which stand like guardians over our city. They, like many Cantabrians, have seen so much horror unfold in our land over recent years. It is sometimes hard to reconcile and fathom what has happened.
But there are moments that touch our spirit, which cause us to smile through the tears and sorrow and give us the desire to want to continue living. The incredible outpouring of love and well-wishers will serve as a symbolism of comfort to those who are mourning, those who are angry and those who are healing.
Forgiveness is an act that Jesus modelled, even in his final moments on earth as he hung on the cross tortured and broken. If Jesus can look into the eyes of those who were beating him, killing him and forgive them then we can be encouraged to find it within us to do the same. While it is not easy, if we seek to be like Jesus then we must try. For unforgiveness will not bring justice, healing, peace or comfort to the broken, to you and me. Only forgiveness will.
God we pray once more for you to heal our beautiful city of Christchurch. Turn her waters of blood and tears into waters of healing and restoration. Let her name ring out across the world. Let her be a beckon of light, love and forgiveness. Turn the darkness of the situation around and use it for your purpose Lord, to redeem it from the enemy and to bring good from it. Lord we know that you can restore and redeem all that the enemy would seek to destroy and tear down.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Kia Kaha Christchurch xx
It may be that for a while to come whenever we hear sirens we will remember last Friday. Our heart maybe burdened with empathy when we read the names and see the faces of those effected. It is forever etched in our history, in our lives, as well as the history of our country.
As I sit and write these words I look out at the beautiful Port Hills, which stand like guardians over our city. They, like many Cantabrians, have seen so much horror unfold in our land over recent years. It is sometimes hard to reconcile and fathom what has happened.
But there are moments that touch our spirit, which cause us to smile through the tears and sorrow and give us the desire to want to continue living. The incredible outpouring of love and well-wishers will serve as a symbolism of comfort to those who are mourning, those who are angry and those who are healing.
Forgiveness is an act that Jesus modelled, even in his final moments on earth as he hung on the cross tortured and broken. If Jesus can look into the eyes of those who were beating him, killing him and forgive them then we can be encouraged to find it within us to do the same. While it is not easy, if we seek to be like Jesus then we must try. For unforgiveness will not bring justice, healing, peace or comfort to the broken, to you and me. Only forgiveness will.
God we pray once more for you to heal our beautiful city of Christchurch. Turn her waters of blood and tears into waters of healing and restoration. Let her name ring out across the world. Let her be a beckon of light, love and forgiveness. Turn the darkness of the situation around and use it for your purpose Lord, to redeem it from the enemy and to bring good from it. Lord we know that you can restore and redeem all that the enemy would seek to destroy and tear down.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Kia Kaha Christchurch xx