This morning, on the nation, one of the geologists from GeoNet stated that the series of aftershocks in Christchurch would continue for a considerable time. He could not put a limit on this. The government has indicated that parts of the city need to be “retired” and new homes built on more stable ground. What is holding everyone up is the difficulties in finding stable ground. In the meantime, the Rose window, in the Anglican church, is destroyed, and the Dome of the Catholic Cathedral is being demolished.
At this time, it’s quite hard to consider the word. Today’s reading is again about the end times:
Luke 21:20-28
20“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside the city must leave it, and those out in the country must not enter it; 22for these are days of vengeance, as a fulfillment of all that is written. 23Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people; 24they will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken away as captives among all nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on the earth distress among nations confused by the roaring of the sea and the waves. 26People will faint from fear and foreboding of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27Then they will see ‘the Son of Man coming in a cloud’ with power and great glory. 28Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
A large amount of the discourse that has occured around this earthquake locally is about how people are exhausted and distressed and need (“the government” pronounced “gummit” in New Zealand) to provide a lot of counsellors. But there is simply no data that counsellors will help. The forest plot below is from a Cochrane review that supports this.
Now, counselling does not help. Seeing that the troubles we have are symptoms of the age when the Gentiles are continuing to trample the temple (it is currently a mosque) helps. But keeping our head up, and working for our neighbours, being righteous and doing good is what is needed.Not counselling. Not emphasising emotions, but increasing courage. For this period of distress will pass, unless we choose to continually live in it.