Eternal what?

There are many thoughts that might initially come to mind in relation to the “Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer” (see this article), now under construction after a £40 million fundraising target was met.

We might, quite apart from anything else, naturally feel somewhat cynical about the whole idea – an understandable reaction, perhaps, given the cynicism-soaked era in which we live. We are all marinaded in a media-enhanced weary distrust of most things at the moment.

We might, also, feel somewhat suspicious on the grounds that the project does not originate from “our” part of evangelicalism. It is hard, for example, to imagine the FIEC, Evangelical Movement of Wales, Free Church of Scotland, Co-Mission, ReNew, Presbyterians, Grace Baptists and so on, among many other groupings, embarking upon such a scheme.

And we might also question whether – with its £45.7million total price tag – it is really good stewardship of the Lord’s money. After all, think how many churches could be planted, or pastors employed, or meals for starving people provided, or evangelistic tracts printed!

But let us also consider things from another angle. Our natural cynicism – well, is that always a healthy attitude, especially given that this project is all about creating a “landmark of hope,” according to project leader Richard Gamble? Isn’t hope rather needed today? And isn’t hope in Christ a great thing to be pointing people towards?

As for the plan not originating in “our” particular stream of evangelicalism, well, let us just consider the possibility that the Lord is able to work through other strands than our own, remembering Jesus’ words in Mark 9v38-41, when the disciples voiced similar concerns.

And as for the cost, let us not forget that there is a time and a place for lavish – extravagant and even reckless – acts of love for Christ, as John 12v3-8 reminds us. Moreover, if this structure is visible to millions of passing motorway drivers, railway and airport passengers (as it will be), might it not be an effective way of evangelising some (e.g. Muslims?) whom tracts and pastors may never reach?

At the end of the day, we do not have to have a firm opinion on whether it is right or wrong, wise or unwise. Either way, it is going ahead. So given that is the case, let us indeed pray the Lord is glorified through it, and that many people come to faith in Him as a result.