Saying yes
Sophia Jones reflects on some of the things God asks us to say yes to.
1. Saying yes to peace
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” He calls us to be people of peace and reconciliation. For those living under Roman oppression, this must have been hard to hear. Many were simply trying to survive—paying taxes, raising families, working, and worshipping—while waiting for the Messiah to come and overthrow Rome.
They must have been confused hearing these words of peace coming from Jesus. They must have been thinking, “Why, if this man is the Messiah, is he talking about peace and making peace?” “Why is he telling us to love our enemies?”.
We live in an age of war and conflict, and in our churches, we pray for peace and for all who suffer its effects. This week (2–4 June), the Anglican Communion’s mission agency, USPG, held its annual conference, “For Christ is our Peace,” rooted in Ephesians 2:14, to explore the Church’s role as an agent of peace in a time of global uncertainty. Speakers from across the Anglican Communion shared their experience and insight.
How do we say yes to peace in daily life? I think it begins by finding peace within our own hearts. For me, that happens in my garden—pottering about in my shed, or among the flowers and plants. It is my haven: a place of joy, prayer, reading the Bible, and deep peace.
The passage in Ephesians speaks of Christ being our peace and that he has broken down the dividing wall and the hostility between us. It is Christ, our Prince of Peace, who proclaimed peace to those of us near and far. We should always say yes to peace because Christ not only commanded it, but he IS our peace.
Let’s start with ourselves and trust Christ to guide our prayers for peace in our communities and the world. We can also act—campaigning, showing solidarity, and supporting groups that promote peace and reconciliation. As children of Christ, let’s say yes to peace.
2. Saying yes to the stranger
The Parable of the Good Samaritan is one we know all too well, yet it could not be more relevant for us today where racism is on the rise and where refugees and asylum seekers of colour are vilified and treated as inferior people. We are living in a world where being black or brown isn’t safe; where the national flag, the Union Jack has been co-opted by some groups to symbolise anti-immigrant sentiment and an intolerant form of nationalism; where racists and white supremacists misuse Christianity by developing extremist theologies and ideologies and falsely co-opt religious symbols and rhetoric to justify racial discrimination and violence.
I love the hymn When I needed a Neighbour. The word that stands out for me is need. The need for rescue, for healing, for food and drink, the need for warmth, the need to be clothed and for shelter. The man who was beaten and robbed and laying on the roadside was no doubt in need of all these things. It was the Samaritan - the one who had mercy on him, someone from a race of people who were despised and seen as outcasts - who said yes to meeting all those needs and more.
When we see headlines in the newspapers about immigrants, migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, how do we feel? Do we believe everything that we read? Do we look for the truth behind the headlines? Are we fearful of these strangers in our midst? Do we pray for them? Do we seek them out and offer help and support? Do we ever ponder and consider what violence or horrors they may be fleeing and what it took for them to leave everything and maybe everyone behind?
The theme for this year’s Refugee Week (Monday 15 – 21 June) is Courage. Let’s have the courage to say yes to reaching out to the strangers in our communities by showing love and kindness in whatever way God calls you to and when we next hear friends, colleagues, classmates or family blurting out racial slurs let’s have the boldness and courage to speak up and tell them they are wrong and that they are to show compassion and kindness.
3. Saying yes to the invitation - the Windrush generation
In Genesis Chapter 12, God calls Abraham to “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.” As the chapter progresses, Abram, as he was called then, obeys. He took all his possessions and left all that he knew in Haran and left with his wife Sarai and Lot his nephew for the land of Canaan.
As I reflect on the story of Abraham, I am reminded of my parents and their generation – the Windrush Generation. Most of them were not as old as Abraham – 75. They were young people from across the Caribbean who left their parents and their homes and said “yes” to the invitation from the British Government to help rebuild Britain after the Second World War.
Windrush Day is marked in the United Kingdom every 22 June, commemorating the arrival of the HMT Windrush in 1948. This event was the start of mass immigration from the Caribbean. The day celebrates the significant contribution of the Windrush Generation to British society.
Like Abram, my dad Ishmael had no idea what lay in store for him when he embarked on the SS Ascania at Kingston Harbour, Jamaica, headed for Southampton aged 20. He recalled that the ship stopped at several Caribbean and European ports before arriving in Southampton two weeks later. He enjoyed the lively atmosphere on board, especially after fellow passengers took over the ship’s kitchen, improving the meals. His cousin met him at Southampton, and together they travelled to London. During these early months, my dad worked as a carpenter and shared a room with his cousin and another friend from home, pooling their wages to cover essentials.
God promised to bless Abram and make his name great. The legacy of the Windrush Generation and the blessing that they have been to this nation has been immense, despite the adversity that they endured. And like Abraham, their legacy lives on in their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and also in Britain’s rich culture, industry, sports, the arts, the NHS, transport and more—something for which I am deeply grateful.
4. Saying yes to God's call
On 27th June Deacons will be ordained at St Paul’s Cathedral. To reach this point, they will have gone through a process of discernment and formation, which, I imagine, will continue throughout their lives.
When God called Moses in Exodus 3 to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses responded with fear and hesitation. Even after God’s reassurances, he still doubted his ability. Yet God met him in his weakness and provided Aaron to speak alongside him.
Jonah refused God’s call and ran away only to give in after being shipwrecked and swallowed up and spat out by a large fish.
When the Angel Gabriel told Mary that she was going to be the mother of the Messiah, she answered in Luke 1:30, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let everything you’ve said happen to me.”
How do we respond when God calls? Do we resist like Jonah, hesitate like Moses, or surrender like Mary?
After university, I first sensed God calling me to ministry which I understood then as mission. I pursued that path, but when the opportunity to serve overseas closed, the call remained and led me into international Christian humanitarian work.
When women were first ordained Deacons in the Church of England in 1994, I wondered if God might be calling me too. I felt drawn, yet I did not see anyone who looked like me.
After being given a new lease of life after battling with breast cancer, I answered God’s call to ordained ministry. I am on the Elizabeth Pathway. We are about 30 over 50’s, from all walks of life discerning God’s call to the priesthood. Towards the end of the first year, I will know if I will be going on to the second and final year.
Let’s be open to where and what God wants us to do. Discerning His voice is not simple, yet the invitation is – listen, trust and say yes.
About the author
Sophia Jones has worked as a Communications professional for over 30 years for some of the leading international humanitarian charities including Christian Aid, World Vision and the International Rescue Committee where she led Communications in east Africa for six years. On her return to the UK she led Communications at Mothers' Union and was then Director of Communications at the Diocese of Southwark. She is currently Interim Director of Communications Engagement and Fundraising at the Anglican Mission agency USPG (United Society Partners in the Gospel). Sophia is also a student on the Church of England's Elizabeth Pathway.
