Hello,
Are our streets safe anymore?
This week people were horrified to hear of a sword attack in London during which a teenage schoolboy was killed and others injured. What with the rise in knife crime and gang violence, it makes us all question how safe our towns and cities are for our children.
The Bible paints a picture of an ideal society in the Old Testament book of Zechariah. In the EASY translation of Zechariah 8:5 it predicts that one day “Many boys and girls will play in the streets of the city again”. Wouldn’t that be great, to have such freedom and safety, not just for our local neighbourhood but also for those children caught up in war zones such as Gaza, Ukraine and elsewhere? Eugene Peterson’s Message rendition puts it this way: “Old men and old women will…sit on benches on the streets and spin tales, move around safely with their canes — a good city to grow old in. And boys and girls will fill the public parks, laughing and playing — a good city to grow up in.”
Jesus Christ himself welcomed both children and adults from all backgrounds with joy and acceptance. He told his followers to love all people, including our would-be enemies. Maybe that’s a place to start to help make Zechariah’s vision come alive today.
Let’s love others just as Jesus loves us and make this world a safer place.
Warm regards,
Gavin
About the Writer:
Gavin Henderson is the National Ministry Leader for GCI in the UK and Ireland.