FEATURE
as a central element. Our
calling as human beings is to
be the ‘image of God’ towards
our neighbours and fellow
creatures. Being God’s image
means reflecting God’s generous,
loving, nurturing character, a God
who has ‘compassion on all that he
has made’ (Psalm 145:9, NIV).
The second thing that has transformed
my faith is understanding how our
relationship with God is profoundly
connected to our relationship with the
land. Biblical faith is never abstract,
but (like the coming of Jesus) rooted
in a particular place and time. All
the Old Testament festivals, except
Passover, were linked to the changing
seasons and the earth’s fruitfulness. I
spent my first 30 years living in many
different ‘homes’, and have now lived
in one part of urban London for more
than 20 years. Putting down roots,
into the community and the ecology of
Southall has become deeply interwoven
with my faith. I do my thinking and
praying as I walk along the canal, put
out the recycling, and help my wife on
her allotment. I’ve moved away from
believing that this world is simply a
waiting room for heaven, to seeing it
as a place full of God’s fingerprints, as
holy ground. Like the Israelites in exile
(Jeremiah 29:4–7), I’ve learned to plant
gardens and eat what they produce,
to work and pray for the peace and
flourishing of the city God has called
me to. Whether we’re in a place long or
short-term, praying for God’s kingdom
LWPT8462 - Preach Magazine - Issue 2 v2.indd 33
to come on earth as in heaven, is not
just about words – it’s about learning
to earth our faith in the places God has
planted us.
Thirdly, I’ve become increasingly aware
of how money and possessions are a
barometer of my relationship with
God. Jesus had much to say about
this, but as western Christians we’re
so surrounded by consumerism that
our lifestyles are often no different to
our neighbours’. Learning to live more
simply, sustainably and joyfully is
deeply challenging when it’s countercultural – particularly when combined
with bringing up children in the midst
of peer pressures. We’ve found that
having friends to share with and keep
us accountable is vital. As a family
we’ve taken lots of small actions that
have bit-by-bit released us from being
possessed by our possessions. Our
first step, nearly 20 years ago, was
deciding to use washable nappies
on our children. This involved lots of
unpleasant hard work in washing
smelly nappies, but saved a massive
amount of waste from landfill and
also saved money. Other significant
milestones have included changing
33
to a green electricity provider, getting
an electric car, and resisting the
temptation to fly on holiday wherever
possible. Our eating has changed too –
we’re now vegetarian most of the week,
with meat as a special treat – meaning
we not only respect the life that has
been sacrificed, but can afford to get
free-range or organic meat. We try (and
often fail) to be generous with what
God has given us, sharing with others
and accepting their hospitality too.
As we look forwards, it is my dream
that communities of Christians can
become beacons of light amidst what,
according to scientists, is a very gloomy
environmental future. If we can start
living out the good news that God
loves and cares for all c ɕ