As we pass through 2024, and human society continues recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to wage war on each other—both literally and metaphorically. In eastern Europe and western Asia, amongst other places, people continue to kill and destroy. Even in regions that are ostensibly at peace, crimes and injustices continue at various levels. Will there be no end to this? In this earthly life, I believe, no. We cannot know for certain what will befall us here: to live a long life, or a short one; to meet a peaceful end, or a violent one.
A Christmas carol refers to “the weary world,” and I think that description is true, now more than ever. But I also believe that this earthly life is not all there is, or will be. My hope rests on one man: the one who said, two thousand years ago, “Come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Our longing should be for a rest not merely physical and temporal, but spiritual and eternal.