Through the Storm - Pastor's Pen for Easter Sunday 2025

A break in the storm, Ohope, 2019

I write this as Cyclone Tam whistles around the manse and church, from the midst of a storm. Power is out, trees are down, some roofs are off, in various places around the land. Flights and ferries are cancelled. Easter camp would not be my first choice this year and holiday plans have been modified for many. We are reminded of the randomness and physical effects of the weather on this long, thin mountainous land of Aotearoa.

Figuratively speaking, we live life through and in spite of the storms it brings. If we zoom in on our own lives and the lives of those we love, random challenges always come. They test and build our faith in God and other people. This can bring disappointment or joy.

There are storms aplenty as we zoom out to world events. Internationally, politics and economics have been shaken by an abrupt change of posture and policy by the United States government.

The words of Jesus are recorded in Matthew 24:4-8; “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of birth pains."

Tensions come and go between nations and among human beings. Easter reminds us that God's people are to be a people of peace and hope. Through the death and resurrection of Jesus, all things will be reconciled in Him. Isaiah foreshadowed this reality; "for I am about to create new heavens and a new earth..." (Is 65) and Peter, realised what had happened at the cross; "He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10) It is for us to recognise the Easter reality, and live out our baptism into the risen Jesus, no matter what storms come. Shalom