God speaks. God speaks life. God speaks life to us.

Tasmania is experiencing a tumultuous summer. This new year has seen already many parts of our beautiful state affected by the destruction of bushfires.

As I mentioned in my pastoral letter at the time, in the wake of the bushfires have come ‘tear-streaked faces of broken dreams and the charred ruins of hard-won homes, businesses, farms, shacks and community facilities.’

In times of adversity our so-called ‘first world problems’ fade away.  The rawness of human frailty and the true sense of our community are revealed.  What we have seen on display are deep human bonds, generosity, empathy, goodwill, and cooperation from Tasmanians in all kinds of circumstances.  Such qualities are a deep blessing, for which we are grateful.

Tasmanian Anglicans have shared in the aftermath of this tragedy both directly and indirectly.  I am very grateful to the ministry of the local church teams, chaplaincy response through the Tasmanian Council of Churches, and Christian individuals who have demonstrated the love of Christ in practical ways.

Please continue to support their ministries in prayer, hands-on assistance where appropriate and through the Tasmanian Anglican Bushfire Appeal.  Some of you have already given to the Appeal and I am very grateful as this allows direct support through grass roots parish pastoral support to those affected by the bushfires.

In the midst of this tragedy I have been heartened by the witness of Christians who have faced the bushfires and bear loss.

As followers of Christ we are not immune to tragedy. Yet, we have a faith, a trust and a hope which strengthens us. The sure hope which Christ gives enables his followers to walk as he did, actively embracing and assisting the hurt and the vulnerable. This is so even when we have suffered ourselves.

Trusting in Christ’s strengthening presence we work and pray for the healing and recovery of our communities.

It is not without poignancy that our current bushfire season so soon followed our celebration and remembrance of the incarnation of Christ at Christmas.  As Christians we confidently call upon God in the midst of trauma and pain because we know that God knows of trauma and pain.

‘Immanuel: God with us’ is the heart of Christmas. Christ is ‘God with us’ and Christ lived this earthly life and experienced its joys and sorrows.

Our encounter with God in Christ is the key to our capacity to respond to suffering.

The Tasmanian bushfires, coming so hard on Christmas, remind us of Christ’s call to ‘come follow me’ in every circumstance of life and his promise, ‘I am with you always, to the end of the age’.

Truly, Christ is with us always, even in this bushfire season, assuring us of the strengthening and comfort of his presence, ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.’ (Matthew 11:28)

As we emerge from this tumultuous season of tragedy and trauma, let us not forget the burden of those who will need to rebuild and those assisting them.

We walk together in the sure hope and assurance of Christ’s presence that sustains us all: ‘Immanuel, God with us’.

May the Holy Spirit burn into our heads and hearts the promises of Christ in all the circumstances of this year.

** To read all the articles from the Tasmanian Anglican magazine, February 2013, please read here.