City Temple Cardiff

They say the British are obsessed with the weather but after the past few weeks its no wonder. For a small island we experience such a huge range of weather conditions that long term forecasting is virtually impossible. These weeks of snow, ice and record low temperatures were labelled more than  ‘cold snap’ and more of a ‘cold spell’ - whatever that means.

On a global scale the experts are still debating the impact of climate change - certainly a harsh winter will do nothing to convince those sceptical of global warming. Yet, climate changes have significant impact on our world.

Jesus took the climate conditions as the basis for a key lesson in spiritual principles. He observed the peoples concern with the seasons and their ability to forecast the weather yet rebuked them that they did not know how to read and interpret the times. He was teaching them that there is a spiritual as well as a natural climate and there are spiritual signs of the times which those who seek the Lord will be able to understand.

We live in a climate that is spiritually challenging at best luke warm (the Laodicea church) but in many ways  cold and hostile to the gospel. Yet, God is moving by His  Spirit through His people to warm up the climate. We are called to believe for and to live for spiritual climate change where we increasingly warm up our world to the good news of Christ. Remember, however cold it may seem, He is “the God who changes times and seasons” (Daniel 2)