‘LG’: ‘Life’s good’!

The brand of my Television is ‘LG’ which originally stood for ‘Lucky Goldstar’. Although I hardly watch TV, when I do switch it on the at present associated marketing tagline ‘Life’s Good’ would be displayed.

It’s good to begin the new year on a positive note.

Life is good. When I walk around the fields behind the Moravian Settlement in Ockbrook and see the cat playing in the grass, when I see the lush green fields and listen to the birds, when I meet people walking their dogs and striking up a friendly conversation, I can wholeheartedly say, ‘Life’s good’. When I think about sitting with friends over a good meal and exploring the depth of life or just having a good time, when I see the grandchildren growing up happily, when I notice the goodwill and mutual support in our churches and communities in Ockbrook and Leicester, including Wesley Hall Community Centre, and also including all communities which you, the reader, may have in mind, what else can I say but, ‘Life’s good’.

I am fully aware of the fact that there is also the other side of the coin. (All names in the following paragraphs are not the real names of the people).

Much hardship is going on. Andrew was living in a shed for 18 years! He is now supported by a charity so he can have a fresh start in life, and he is ever so grateful.

I think of Gunda who suffers from regular seizures. She was evicted from her house. Since then, she is sofa-surfing with friends and acquaintances. Her two children are looked after by her parents.

I think of Jamal and his wife Amna, with their children Yasir and Roua. They fled the cruel war in Sudan. Jamal came first. His journey was tremendously risky, and he was fortunate enough to survive. His wife could follow him legally, and the children were born here.

Amna’s dad is displaced in Sudan, her mum lives in a refugee camp in Chad, and many of their relatives and friends either died in the war or are unreachable and their fate is unknown.

Countless people are struggling in our part of the world and across the world.

Life’s good? There are the holy moments when life is good even when most people would say it is not.

I think of Kira on her deathbed. I can see the smile and the peace on her face. I know that deep conversations preceded her illness before it became terminal. Conversations that included forgiveness for wrongs done or suffered, conversations that brought a deep peace to all around Kira and to herself.

We live in a time when we as Christians are challenged in many ways. This prompts us to think anew about our calling.

When I had the opportunity of speaking with a Cuban colleague of mine about the purpose of the church, he said something that stayed with me ever since, ‘The church is a hospital’.

In life we are not continuously on one side. There might be times when we are more the patient, and times when we are more the nurse or doctor; times when we are more in need to receive and times when we have more to give; or there could even be a relative balance between the two.

In any case, I firmly believe that as long as we are pilgrims in the world, we are called to support each other, and this could be anyone: our direct neighbour or those far away; and we must not forget those we may not naturally love or feel drawn to. After all, this is what Jesus did. He crossed many boundaries. He has eaten with those who were despised by the religious leaders. He engaged in conversation with those ostracised by society. In his presence healing and wholeness came to countless people.

I found this thoughtful quote, ‘The gospel doesn’t need a coalition devoted to keeping the wrong people out. It needs a family of sinners, saved by grace, committed to tearing down the walls, throwing open the doors, and shouting, ‘Welcome! There’s bread and wine. Come eat with us and talk.’ This isn’t a kingdom for the worthy; it’s a kingdom for the hungry.’ (Rachel Held Evans)

Life’s good or at least is getting better when we join in in what God wants us to do: like Jesus, breaking down barriers and creating a space of welcome that in turn will become a space for increasing wholeness.

Friedrich von Bodelschwingh was a German pastor and health advocate born in 1831. He realised that life is not good for too many people, so he started a charity, Bodelschwinghsche Stiftungen Bethel, to help epileptic patients and which later cared for people who are marginalised in various ways. This organisation is still very effective today.

Bodelschwingh expressed how churches can live up to their calling when defining ‘hospitality’: ‘The deepest meaning of hospitality is that we give each other a home on the way to our eternal home.’

We are all pilgrims in this world, and no-one can stay here forever.

So, isn’t it the best thing to do, that we fore-shadow what will be, and that we help each other on our journey? Whatever background, religion, culture, nationality etc we come from, we have in common that we are in need of giving and accepting hospitality so that life can become good. We are woven together, and interconnected, not only with human beings but with all of creation.

When we experience the goodness of God running towards us, permeating and flowing from one to another, a joyful love for each other: Life’s good.

Having just celebrated Christmas, we are reminded that God came in Jesus to share our journey through life. As followers of Jesus, we are called to share our journey, our love, with everyone we meet and interact with so that in the end we can say: Life’s good.

Br Joachim Kreusel

Bishop of the Unitas Fratrum