Arthur says:

“Whatever happens, don’t be afraid.”

Arthur has a premonition about things getting worse. He wants to give Margaret a message that she might remember if things turn bad. She of course doesn’t want to hear that bad events might be coming. No one wants to envisage bad news when things are going well. So Arthur is planting a seed in her soul. It will rest barren and unnoticed there for some time. Unfortunately it will take unwelcome events to crack the husk of that seed and bring Arthur’s words to life. Eventually, in the right season, they will be relevant.

One of Arthur’s most common admonitions to his friends is that they not be afraid. To fear in the face of the unknown is to doubt the goodness of the world. He wants to teach people that even in the face of the most frightening and disturbing events they can continue to believe in a world and a life where everything is moving from darkness to light. Fear makes people selfish, aggressive, destructive and isolated. At their time of greatest need, they begin to doubt the very assurances they need. It’s in that hour of darkness that we need to hear the imploring of Arthur, not to be afraid.

The week of writing is the week of the horrendous earthquake in Christchurch. People’s lives have been ripped apart, their shelters are gone, and many families have lost loved ones. The aftershocks continue, and nothing seems secure or hopeful. It’s not surprising that people should be afraid, or that they feel the earth has betrayed them. In the midst of this awful destruction, perhaps the quiet voice of Arthur may be relevant: “Whatever happens, don’t be afraid.” There is goodness left in the world, there is love to be shared, there is the whisper of hope which may arise in days to come.

When everything seems lost, when all is broken, then the opportunity arises to find love rather than fear. May the love of Arthur surround the people of Christchurch, and all those who tremble alone.

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