As a long-time fan of U2 – I first learnt about their existence in my own Year 12 year, and I’m now in my 50s – I am excited when a new album is imminent. (I’ve already pre-ordered their next one, due out in the next few weeks …). Part of my excitement is that, sometimes, their lyrics read in the form of modern day psalms. “In God’s Country” was part of their iconic “Joshua Tree” album. As an album, it wrestled with the increasing tension in the late 1980s that was being felt in the United States of America, as to whether it’s national identity reflected an allegiance to the God of the universe.
Closer to home, the statement “This is God’s Country” is an expression often uttered by main characters in iconic outback scenes in mainstream Australian movies. And yet, today, we as followers of Jesus have a stronger and deeper sense that we now live in a society that is marked by post-Christian ideology and practices.
I believe this gives us great opportunities, to mark in clear ways why our faith is different – why being a follower of Jesus is life-changing, eternally important and an irresistible call on people’s lives.
The constant wrestle is how and when to speak, how and when not to speak, how and when to act, & how and when not to act. I am sure God wants us to lay these concerns at his feet, praying for His miraculous works in the public and private lives of all people.
If you see an opportunity to make a difference – to bring God glory through what you do in the lives of those who need the Gospel message, let me encourage you to act. God’s amazing tapestry of planning in our lives never ceases to amaze me. Last night, on the evening of the announcement of the result of the national plebiscite postal vote, I found myself in the company of Christian Education National leadership and another CEN Principal, speaking to Victorian State Parliamentarians who are policy makers in the area of education for the next election cycle.
Wow! What spectacular timing, given how long it takes to organise these meetings. Of course God was in it; my prayer is that this will be the beginning of an important dialogue. I pray that these discussions will result in lasting relief and permanent solutions for us in the areas of funding, our ability to employ the staff we believe should be in our school and in the curriculum we are obliged to teach. Please join me in this prayer.
And finally, this (edited) lyric from U2’s song “Yahweh” may act as a starting prayer / a modern psalm to reflect on in this vane.
Take these shoes
Click clacking down some dead end street
Take these shoes
And make them fit …
Take this soul
Stranded in some skin and bones
Take this soul
And make it sing
Yahweh, Yahweh
Always pain before a child is born
Yahweh, Yahweh
Still I’m waiting for the dawn
Take these hands
Teach them what to carry
Take these hands
Don’t make a fist
Take this mouth
So quick to criticise
Take this mouth
Give it a kiss …
Take this city
A city should be shining on a hill
Take this city
If it be your will
What no man can own, no man can take
Take this heart …
And make it break
educating 4 life, too 
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