Posted on: 22nd September 2022

Here at Leeds Sanctuary, we are preparing a campaign around the Cost of Living Crisis. Many of us have already noticed the sharp increases in cost for many essential food items, and while the new Prime Minister has announced energy price caps for homes, businesses are already struggling to pay their bills. In John 10:10, Jesus states that he “came that [we] may have life, and have it abundantly”. How do we hold the truth of the difficulties in our lives with the knowledge that God is good, and makes abundant life available to us?

Romans 12:15 tells us to “mourn with those who mourn”, and throughout the Bible we can see there is value in lamenting with people we encounter who are experiencing challenges. God’s ways are higher than our ways, (Isaiah 55: 8-9) and there is a power to acknowledging that we don’t always know why things are happening as they are.

Sometimes it is enough for us to provide a safe space for discussing challenges, and at other times we can acknowledge the blessing of resources we have, using them to be the hands and feet of Jesus by attempting to meet a need. There are countless examples of Christian organisations across our city who do an incredible job of meeting people and supporting their needs, whether that’s food and shelter, counselling, etc.

Finally, we can campaign for justice where we know there is unfairness. Walter Brueggemann suggests that “the story we tell about scarcity is a fantasy… It is a story invented by those who have too much to justify getting more… That story is not true because the world belongs to God and God is the creator of abundant life.” For those of us who have experienced abundance in God’s blessings, we are called and inspired to campaign and lobby for change so all of our basic needs can be met in a fairer and more Kingdom shaped society.

We would love to welcome you to join us in our campaign on the Cost of Living Crisis. Head to www.leedssanctuary.org.uk, or follow us on social media @leedssanctuary for more information.