The Big Picture

The Rise Above Edition

“Four walls. Wash basin. Prison bed.”

It was back in 1980 when Cold Chisel released ‘Four Walls’, a song describing the tedium of being imprisoned. 41 years later, I heard a radio announcer claim that it was a perfect song for the 2021 COVID lockdown. ‘Feeling blah during the pandemic? It’s called languishing’ read the New York Times headline. “Languishing – a sense of stagnation and emptiness.” (NYT, Oct 4, 2021).

For many people, though, the dominant emotion through lockdown was not just emptiness but a sense of being overwhelmed. Normal supports were absent. We were deprived of regular connections. Fear and anxiety prevailed.

How do we cope when faced with such challenges? In fact, how can we not just cope, but flourish? How can we rise above this flood?

Psalm 20 depicts the prayers of God’s people when threatened by a vast invading army. Yet the tone is not one of fear, but of confidence. How?

Their confidence is grounded in God’s character. He is the one who answers prayer (v. 1). He gives help, and has demonstrated it for generations (vv. 1-2). Ultimately He is the one who saves (vv. 3-9). While the hostile army might be armed to the teeth and boast superior weaponry, victory belongs to God (v. 7).

Israel’s armies before the time of Solomon didn’t utilise horse-drawn chariots but we know that Egypt boasted chariots and cavalry, and David faced enemies with chariot squadrons (Exodus 14:9, 2 Samuel 8). Warhorse-drawn chariots provided speed and bulk, and would have induced fear in opposing foot-soldiers.

We are reminded of the importance of not being seduced by the strategies of others. We also need to remember that it is not our clever plans or resources that produce fruit. At CRU ® we should be thankful for our relationship with schools which has grown over the years, our beautiful campsites, our intentional camp programs, the skills of our staff and volunteers, and so on, but they aren’t the source of success. God is the giver of life and growth.

Psalm 20 reminds us that those who don’t acknowledge God and who refuse to bow before Him ultimately will do so. “They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.” (v. 8). We rise above the tide of circumstances by relying on God and acknowledging His greatness and provision. “We trust in the name of the Lord our God.”

As you read this “Rise Above” issue of CRUview and our Annual Report, I pray you will catch a new and wonderful vision of God’s work, and praise Him.