Luke East
The King’s Birthday Honours list was released this past week. In a world that often looks bleak and unforgiving, it is joyous to be reminded several times a year of those among us who, regardless of faith, are doing things that bring glory to God.
In recent years, we have seen an array of local heroes honoured for their selfless service. As Christians we are called to do likewise and those honoured give us examples to strive towards.
As Christians, we are called to be Christ’s hands and feet. We are called to a life of service. The decline of religion reveals a deeper societal collapse. In recent decades, community spirit has given way to ‘me-ism’. No longer do we echo the words of John F Kennedy and ask what we can do, but rather what is in it for me? We focus too much on our individuality and forget our role in the broader collective.
Amidst this backdrop, churches can be seen living out the love of Christ through the many social and community services they provide and support.
‘Me-ism’ has sadly pervaded our politics too – our beautiful country should be a place free of poverty and squalor. No child should go to school hungry, no pensioner should be left to lie in soiled sheets unable to afford care, nor should a parent have to choose between eating or paying the bills. But this is New Zealand today.
Our economic system has the power to generate huge wealth, and as scripture teaches us, we have a duty to use that wealth to do good. We have a social contract to care for our neighbour, to support those who are struggling. We should fund public libraries, schools, parks, healthcare, a penal system that provides justice and healing, and a welfare system that supports people to recover so that they can return to meaningful work, because these things make a society.
They break down divisions and help spread love. Christ called us to love, how can we do that if we are unwilling to bear the costs of building a country that cares?
It is often said that the church should be above politics – above party politics, certainly. But the church cannot be above politics itself, not if it is to truly live out the call of the Gospel to fight injustice, pursue peace, and love well.
Our God is one of love, He has no party affiliation and calls us to love indiscriminately. As we read daily of the struggles faced by those throughout our land, it is clear that politics is not the answer – people are. Regardless of the decisions made in the Budget, we are His hands and feet, we are the ones who must uphold our social contract and care for those around us.
Those honoured over King’s Birthday weekend show us the many and varied ways that we can all serve our communities and be a light in the darkness for those most in-need.
