Journey to Life
Journey to Life is our way of understanding ourselves as individuals and as a church of St Aidan’s Parkdale. We’re part of the greatest journey ever undertaken, and still being worked out.
Journey to Life is God’s story understood through seven decisive movements. It’s revealed to us through the pages of what we call the Old Testament and New Testament, which covers the history of Israel, the coming of Jesus and beyond, till the fulfilment of time.
These seven movements are as follows:
- A Beautiful Start. Life is not a cosmic accident. It has been set in place, ordered and good, with humans made in the image of their Creator as the pinnacle. Those humans are called to reflect that image by care for one another and the creation. It was a beautiful start. All was set for flourishing. Yet…
- Paradise Lost. We questioned God’s goodness, and instead of walking with Him, we chose to walk according to our own ways. Evil came to the world, such that violence and hatred escalated. Driven from Paradise, we are given over to endless wandering, never satisfied, and selfishly desiring our own way.
- Promise of a Future. Yet God had not forgotten His love for creation and desire to somehow restore the trust and fellowship that had been shattered. A promise comes to our forefather Abraham. That God would bring descendants to him through whom blessing would come to all people everywhere. Abraham believes the promise, despite being elderly and childless.
- A Forever Kingdom. Israel’s history is one of turmoil and violence. Instead of honouring the holy God and following the ways outlined at Sinai through Moses, they pursue the gods of the peoples around them. During the period of kingship, under the reign of David, the promise comes for a forever kingdom, one in which a son of David would reign forever. This hope seemed far away as other nations reduced Israel to servitude. But a remnant preserved the hope that a Messiah would come.
- Victory for Life. When the new king comes, hope is kindled afresh for Israel’s restoration. He heals the sick, gives sight to the blind, raises the dead, and fulfils Messianic expectation. Yet it is not a political kingdom he creates, but a movement grounded in his self-offering death for the sin of all people at every point in history. Truly a self-offering, confounding our Jewish forebears, yet truly achieving victory through resurrection from the dead. Launching a radical new era for us and all humanity.
- For Everyone Everywhere. The story doesn’t finish there. Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to be our helper, that we, too, may live a new life, a resurrection life, as we align our story with His. And let others know, of every kind and every place, the good news of this victory. And this is our story today as we participate in restoring people and restoring creation as God wanted it to be.
- Eden Restored. The final hope to which we look is the ultimate destiny when God makes all things new. The Victory has made this possible. Resurrection life is both now and for always as we follow the One who has pioneered and achieved all this for us. There is an amazing future.
This is our history. Our people. Our story. The present and future are shaped by it. It motivates us with thankful hearts and willing service. We have much still to learn, as the journey continues. Yet we know where we’ve come from and discovering more of who we are, and we’d love you to discover this Journey to Life with us.