JOY IN THE CITY

Last night I was at a big youth event in central London, organised by BiggaFish, a company who work with excluded and demotivated young people to develop their talents.  There was live music and teenagers had come from all over London as it was a rare chance for under-18s to party in a club / concert atmosphere.

It was really encouraging to see so many young people dancing and having fun.  Many of them were black boys and girls.  A group of boys at the back of the crowd were dancing so outrageously, really enjoying themselves, which is something rarely seen among moody groups of teenage boys who like to stand "screw-face" staring at the floor with their hoods up.

It gave me hope for a time of real joy in the city.  This is the vision of a time when God's kingdom is reigning:

'Old men and women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each with staff in hand because of great age.  And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in its streets.'

(Zechariah 8:4-5)

Zechariah here gives a glimpse of life as it should be, and what the church is working for.  A time when children can dance and play like children should - and can live to an old age without fear of their lives being cut short.

'I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.  And this city shall be to me a name of joy, a praise and a glory before all nations of the earth who shall hear of all the good I do for them.  They shall fear and tremble because of all the good and all the prosperity I provide for it.'

(Jeremiah 32:8-9)