The last in our series of Lent Devotions comes from Habitat Ireland's Chief Executive, Jenny Williams.
As I think about the journey Jesus made to the cross, I remember the love which took him there and the joy and hope we have in knowing that the cross was not the end.
In a world where nothing seems to be certain, Easter reminds us again of God’s faithfulness. No matter what situation we find ourselves we have a loving God who will journey with us.
The journeys that I have made over the last few weeks have taken me to Athlone and Letterkenny where we plan to launch the next Habitat ReStores, to Crumlin Road and Newtownards where I heard first-hand about the journeys volunteers have made when given an opportunity to serve the community – from mental ill health to wellness, from insecurity to finding confidence and purpose. I also had a car accident when travelling home from a meeting in Ballina and was so thankful for all the support I received!
The impact of war with Iran has had an impact on journeys globally, so many people haven’t been able to travel as they had planned because of the disruption to flights and many have been worried about being able to get home.
For Habitat colleagues working across the Middle East; in Jordan, Egypt and in Lebanon war is close. In Lebanon in the last month the conflict has displaced nearly 1 million people, 20% of the country's entire population.
I imagine the journeys of those families forced to flee, grabbing whatever they can, holding their children close or helping older relatives make their way to an uncertain future.
And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6: In response to Micah’s call Habitat’s mission to put Gods love into action is alive, active, powerful.
When we put God’s love into action we demonstrate that God’s kingdom is present here and now. Whether its homes, toilets, loans, technical support or reaching out to help families forced to flee from the horror of war we know that Habitat builds hope.
We know that we don’t have all the answers, but can be part of the solution when we commit to journey with people, to walk in their shoes and dare to feel their experience. In Lebanon that means supporting our colleagues to make living conditions in collective shelters better for some of the 1 million people forced to flee. (You can donate to support our appeal here)
“People say, What is the sense of our small effort? We must lay one brick at a time, take one step at a time; We can be responsible only for the one action of the present moment. But we can beg for an increase of love in our hearts that will vitalise and transform all of our individual actions, and know that God will take them all and multiply them, as Jesus multiplied the loaves and the fishes.” - Dorothy Day
Loving God, Help us to know that, even when we are surrounded by sadness and suffering, we can be people of hope and not despair.
Give us the gift to be beacons of joy and hope in our communities and our world. Amen,
