The autumn winds whine and screech round the house,
buffeting the bushes and trees outside the prayer window. They sound ferocious,
but they have cleared the clouds and a cool sun shines out of a blue sky,
highlighting the russets, oranges and golds of the dying leaves.
My favourite tree stands firm in the assault. Three trunks
of some girth twist round each other before stretching skywards. A trinity of
trunks. They don’t move. All around them, thinner branches bob and bend, leaves
let go and drift away. Rooted deeply in the rich soil, though, the Norwegian
elm (or is it a maple? Oh, gosh, I don’t know my trees…) stands.
Having done everything, Paul advises the Ephesians, stand
firm. We woke to discouraging news that the leaders of Russia and China and
possibly India will not be coming to COP26. They must represent more than half
the world’s population. We need them onside. Other major nations are lobbying
to back off limitations on coal and fossil-fuel production and use. The news is
bleak.
Even in the face of climate catastrophe, we can’t find global
unity.
God help us. What can we do? Pray, pray, pray. Do what we
can to reduce our own negative impact. And finally, retain faith in the Lord of
Creation, that he is able. He’s not been caught on the back foot. He has a
plan, an ancient, good plan.
So, even as I hear dispiriting news, I will not waver in the
adverse winds. I will stand firm, abiding in Jesus, rooted in faith that he is
Lord of all the earth, and trusting him to act.
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