8^th February 2016

In recent years a diverse and impressive body of research such as quantum physics and cellular biology has supported the conclusion that we need to understand our world from a holistic perspective. Are the seasons of drought simply a matter of fate? Are they explained by natural meteorological causes like El ninio or is there a wider dimension? 

We now know that the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of life are inseparably inter-related. It is quite legitimate then to ask, “How is the health of our environment and drought conditions in particular to be understood from a spiritual perspective”?

The ancient story of creation in Genesis says that the planet originally was ‘very good’, (very functional) until the relationship between the Creator and the created order was broken and fully affected. The magnificent creation and the crown of creation, humankind, remained special but they were damaged and spoilt much like a handful of gravel being tossed into an intricate heart-lung machine. While there is a promise that as long as the earth endures the seasons would continue, St Paul understood the entire creation as being affected and frustrated. He likened the creation now to being in a state of ‘groaning’ as if it was in a state labour giving birth to something that was not yet complete.

Jesus made it clear that God had no favourites when it comes to climate and the weather. The sun and rain would continue to fall on both the just and unjust. Yet the Genesis story and the Biblical narrative that explains how the pattern of the seasons were sustained or not sustained, often corresponds to the relationship that existed between God the Creator and the faithfulness of His people. Was this just a primitive way that the ancient world understood the natural world or was there more to it?

There are at least fifteen times in the Bible when the natural order was disrupted and rain was with-held. The Eastern view of Biblical writers believed God was responsible for sending rain in blessing or for withdrawing it because of Israel’s disobedience and spiritual indifference. (Deuteronomy 11:10-17, 28:12,23,24) This physical dysfunction was likened to a spiritual drought in the hearts of God’s people.

In our supposed enlightened worldview we would say geography, not God, is responsible for the weather patterns that visit humankind. The Bible records a range of other contributing causes like invasion or infestation as often leading to disaster and famine. Theses catastrophes certainly remind us that there are some dimensions beyond our ultimate control and understanding. Not only are there extreme natural conditions that we cannot control but spiritually and morally we are seriously flawed. We are self-focused rather than conscious of God.  With a serious abuse of power we habitually exploit planet earth and one another so that it becomes obvious that we urgently need someone greater than ourselves to intervene and be part of our lives. Instead of being addicted to the materialism and consumerism of our age we need to be spiritually empowered, turned around and transformed in such a way that we are willing to be accountable.

Biblical insights suggest that drought was never an end in itself. Through the mystery of pain, hardship, and tragedy there came an opportunity for national and personal reflection on what it meant to live in relationship and harmony with the Creator. It was St Augustine who said, “Thou hast made us for thyself O God and our hearts are restless until they rest in thee.”  Nationally, socially, economically and as individual people we need to rediscover a conscious awareness of what it means to live in humble dependence and in a restored relationship with the Creator-designer of the universe.

Jesus Christ insisted that above everything else a holistic life meant starting with giving first priority to seeking the Kingdom of God. A spiritual beginning takes place when we personally choose to trust Christ and to surrender the control of our lives to him. This is not a future guarantee of what it means to be ‘drought-proof ’ or of a way to avoid, fire, flood or famine, but it means that we will be equipped to face hardship and the uncertainties of life from a new perspective. The Apostle Paul wrote, “If anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old is passed away; see, everything has become new.”

It is not too late to pray for a cloud burst to end the drought, but it needs to be a cloud burst that brings both moisture and a spiritual birth and to the heart of our dry nation.

Rev E. A. (Ted) Curnow.  2016