Day 23 - A new thing

We hear a lot in the news about the renaming of things – events, places, celebrations etc. In some cases in order to be more inclusive or as recognition of how society has changed and developed, or how our views and opinions around historical figures and their works have shifted with time. As part of the study of etymology, of how words are used and changed over time, is a fascinating subject which unfortunately we have neither the time nor the space to get into it. Nevertheless, there is, alongside all this, a growing trend of ascribing this process as a ‘new’ or ‘modern’ phenomenon – part of what is often called in some more traditionalist news sources the ‘Woke Agenda’. However, to that I raise a prime example of inclusive naming that wasn’t even done in this century and was only just inside the second half of the last century. On 12th March 1958 ‘British Empire Day’ became ‘Commonwealth Day’ in order to be inclusive to all the members of the Commonwealth, as well as recognising an equality of states within the group and the loss of dominance of the UK. In the 1950s!

However, it is arguable that this change was inevitable. The British Empire never recovered from the stresses and strains of WW2 and, at the cessation of hostilities, began the long process of decolonisation that would last, if pushed to its furthest date, 1997. Now, whether the empire was a good thing or not is a subject massively beyond the short remit of this article and not a debate I intend to wade into. However, what is undeniable is the Commonwealth that emerged from it has been, on the whole, a productive and unifying partnership. From the Commonwealth Games, through to the economic and financial benefits, to the international condemnation issued under the 2013 Charter against "all forms of discrimination, whether rooted in gender, race, colour, creed, political belief or other grounds", as well as reinforcing the values of democracy, friendship and human rights.

All this to say, that often within churches we can be worried or scared of change. The natural human reaction is to maintain a status quo. However, when we embrace the changes we see around us – when we embrace a society that is becoming more tolerant, more accepting and more inclusive - who are we to not try and understand it but instead cling unquestioningly to the past. Shouldn’t we at least investigate new developments and changes and see if it is what God is calling us to do?

As we read in Isaiah 43:19 - "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

And who would want to miss out on what God has planned for us?

Harry Booton