1 February – Rev’d David Muskett, Petersfield Methodist Church

How Did It All Go Wrong?

Much of the news, is about something that’s gone wrong.

Conflict in different parts of the world: Israel-Palestine, Ukraine, Yemen… The Post Office Horizon scandal… changing weather patterns that are further evidence of climate breakdown… various aspects of life in this country which seem not to be working as well as many remember they once did…

‘How did it all go wrong?’ we might want to ask.

There is a natural desire to find someone to blame – usually there’s someone who messed up. More generally, things that go wrong can be put to down to laziness and/or narcissism.
Laziness is taking the short cut. The end might be good and right but not putting in the effort to get there by the right route can often lead to errors that cannot be rectified and a failure to reach the hoped for destination.

Narcissism is the inability to acknowledge one’s own fallibility or responsibility and a seeking only after one’s own gain and benefit. My wealth, my power, my image, my status, my acquisition of more and more ‘stuff’ is all that is important.

In personal life, both laziness and narcissism lead to the breaking of relationships. Looking forward, the positive alternative involves humility and a desire and commitment to work hard at relationships with others and with God.

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles chapter 7:verse 14)

The we might change the world – starting locally, with ourselves.