Inspire

Harmony Week is a national time of cultural respect and acknowledgement to all those who call Australia home, from the indigenous peoples to those born thousands of kilometres away. It is about creating a culture where everyone belongs, everyone is valued and where we understand and respect our diversity and recognise it makes us stronger. It is a day where our message is “Everyone belongs”.

There are about 300 different ancestries in Australia, all contributing a part of their culture to make Australia the incredibly rich and diverse country it is. Australians are at their best when we are inclusive and when we value people because of their differences. 

Peter wrote about harmony many years ago when he challenged people saying ‘Finally, everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble’ (1 Peter 3:18).

Peter knew this was God’s design for humanity, to live in harmony with God and each other. He and his friends were in Jerusalem after Jesus had risen from the dead. There they experienced the power of God’s Holy Spirit on them. What happened next was a miracle. Peter and his friends stood and spoke to a huge crowd of people from many different nations who were gathered in Jerusalem for a festival. 

As the nations heard the men speak, they realised that every different nation heard their own language, even though Peter and the others didn’t know any other languages. God had given them a powerful gift to proclaim a powerful message. By speaking in many languages, the message was clear. “Everyone Belongs”. God sent a clear signal to all nations that God is a God who wants everyone to belong and he wants us to be people who help others belong too.

It is my prayer that Harmony Week gives us an opportunity to reflect and act upon improving harmony in our relationships with each other and with God. 

Excerpts from a piece by Fiona Cran

Submitted by Megan Fyffe