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Good morning

50 years ago today the British and French governments announced their intention to build a tunnel under the English Channel. It took another 30 years before the Tunnel was actually opened, despite the original hope that the project would only take 5 years to complete. Nevertheless, the longest undersea tunnel in the world now carries around 23,000 passengers per day and some have classed the ‘Chunnel’ as one of the 7 wonders of the modern world.

It takes a particular strength of vision to sustain a project that takes so long to complete – how many times along the way must there have been questions about whether it would actually happen, and any number of doubters and detractors. Those responsible for carrying and communicating the vision needed to be fearless, determined and yet believable – convincing leaders, with integrity and an ability to keep the dream alive.

And of course these are the kind of characteristics we look for, and need, in leaders of all kinds – from big business and politics, via faith leaders, headteachers and chief constables, right the way through to parents and popstars. And it’s right that we should expect high standards of those who take on roles of influence at any level.

But it’s also right that we should reflect on our attitudes to those in such positions. Do we, as individuals and a society, encourage and support those in leadership, particularly when the going gets tough, or do we simply look for every opportunity to criticise and tear down?

Merciful God, help each of us to see our own responsibility in taking forward the vision of a better world. Give wisdom and integrity to those in authority, and grace to us all as we learn to work together for the common good. Amen.