Making a Difference
It was encouraging to read Iain Duncan Smith’s article in The Herald Tuesday 5th February as he commented on the social deprivation of the great city of Glasgow. Sometimes when politicians wax eloquent about areas of concern which you know they haven’t either got a clue about or no lasting interest, just an opportunity to grab a headline, you feel the tide of cynicism begin to wash over you. However this is not the case with Iain Duncan Smith. I know from those who have met him and indeed helped introduce him to the troubled undercurrents of Glasgow’s social imbalance he was deeply moved and has continued to visit the city, even at times when the spotlight has moved away from him on his return to the backbenches of Westminster.
Much of what he wrote is a disturbing reminder of how bad things can be in the city but he also highlighted the invaluable work that many voluntary societies have been doing, and continue to pioneer without a great deal of assistance from anyone else. It is their determination to do something to alleviate some of the problems that many of our fellow citizens face that has caught Smith’s eye and moved his heart.
On Wednesday night 30 January 2008 several hundred people from the Glasgow Baptist community met at Newton Mearns Baptist Church to pray, and pray specifically by name for those in government and councils who can help to make a difference to the troubled lives of many in the areas of deprivation in the city. It is so easy to become cynical and treat our politicians as our enemies rather than our servants. It could make a huge difference if we prayed more for them even as the Bible instructs us 1 Timothy2:1-2. Such praying is never wasted!