People of Scotland, England, Northern Ireland & Wales, I love you! Inspired by the referendum on Scottish Independence, this is my confession: I spent the first 20 years of my life in Erskine, Renfrewshire. My Scottish mother grew up in Northern Ireland; my English father grew up in Scotland. On a regular basis we would visit our cousins in England, Northern Ireland and Wales; 2 of my best friends were born in England; and we regularly rubbed shoulders with fellow followers of Jesus from all 4 countries. I remember loving the diversity and unity. I don’t think I ever felt like there was much difference between Scotland and the others. And what little there was, I liked, I think (except maybe when the 5 Nations or a football game against England came around; or when we watched Braveheart). I grew up loving the Queen. I was fascinated by the pomp of Westminster, and often dreamed of becoming an MP. I remember crying the day princess Diana died; crying many nights with the Tartan Army, and with Gazza in 1990. I remember cheering for all the home teams in ‘Europe’, the World Cup and Euro qualifiers; singing all of our anthems with joy. I still choke up when I sing, “Jesus loves the whosoever...”. I loved my faith brothers and sisters from all over the UK, and probably felt more affinity with them than many of my schoolmates (though now I love and miss the people of Rashie & Parky too). I loved the uniqueness of the different people, parts and accents of these Islands. I reckon I have always felt equally British and Scottish. Despite having a thick Glaswegian accent as a kid and living my entire first 20 years in Erskine, I was often asked by friends why my family was different, and where we were from. Maybe that was because of our faith, our family story, or maybe it was because we were connected all over the place; I don’t know, but I loved all of that. I love connectedness. Growing up, the idea of Independence for Scotland seemed foreign, unnecessary and also unlikely; which was great, because unity has always been important to me. I am a strong believer in Interdependence and peacemaking. I try to practice and preach these at every opportunity. “No man is an island (unless his name is Madagascar).” We need each other. I consider myself a reconciler, trying to bring people together wherever and however. I think this perhaps is why I have always been so against Scottish Independence. I have seen it as a division, disconnection, a breaking, a divorce; that cuts to the core of my identity. If Scotland, England, Northern Ireland and Wales can’t get along, then where does that leave me, my identity, my family (biological and faith), and our story. For these reasons, until very recently, I have been totally against a ‘Yes’ vote. Over the last few weeks and months, I have been saddened. Due to the fallen nature of politics, most of the arguments I have heard from both the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns, have been mostly focused on the negatives. Both sides have seemed afraid to admit that there are positives in either option. There is definite benefit to the localization of decision making processes. But there is also great benefit to having more people around to help you through tough times. In an ideal world, I think we would figure out how better to work with our cousins, brothers and sisters in these Isles, helping each other establish our own unique identities, whilst also nurturing the larger family. To me, the way the world is moving as a whole, is to deeper wider connections, not isolation. Looking back, the obvious solution would have been greater devolution for all the entities of the UK (devo-max). I imagine if this was on the ballot it would win by a landslide. The vote could’ve been largely ceremonial. Sadly this option was taken from the people, it seems out of fear – the same kind of fear that tells a teenager that ‘You either do exactly what I say, or get out of my house.’ That rarely ends well. As I have watched and listened from afar, to the debates, radio programs, news reports, tweets, and Facebook statuses of you, the people I love and respect, I have come to see now, how you have been backed into a corner. I see now, why so many of you would want to Vote ‘Yes’, or how you could be undecided (forgive me for taking so long to get here and for my difficultness and argumentativeness along the way). I am actually quite glad I don’t have a vote. Choosing family OR self-determination; how could anyone make that choice?!?! I have walked a couple times with people who were forced to choose between family and what they felt like God was calling them to do. It is sad that people ever have to make that kind of a choice. And so, my prayer for you is this. That God, helps you all, to see what He thinks is best, for you, for Scotland, for your family, and for the other 3 home nations. I no longer presume to know what God’s will is in this, but I truly believe He knows what is best. I am willing to give this over to Him, and just try to follow. I have some sadness, but also a growing faith, that He will win. I commit to praying earnestly with you these next few days that this is what happens. I used to think that if Scotland became independent, I would lose part of my identity, I would lose my story; that one day I would return to live in Scotland, and it wouldn’t be my home anymore. Now I realise, that regardless of the man made political boundaries, if you are there, I will be at home, and we can all be one, whatever the borders. This Thursday, I will be with you; praying for you all, waiting with a renewed excitement, for the results. If it is a ‘No’, I will celebrate that we get to keep working with our British family, lamenting the brokenness, but hoping to be part of the solution, rooted in an ongoing story. If it is a ‘Yes,’ I will celebrate, that we get to step out, on our own, find our own healing, and help our English, Northern Irish and Welsh sisters and brothers, find their story too. What an adventure! I am at peace. God’s will be done! Come Thursday, Come! Thank you to those who helped walk and reason me through the journey so far. Let’s do this!
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 18:39:11 +0000
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