We would not have this problem though if we had an alternate source of energy. Well, we actually do, but for complex reasons, we can’t use it. Take natural gas for example. We are told we have lots of it here in Australia, but we seem to be sending most of it overseas. Next year (2019), Australia is expected to be the world’s biggest natural gas exporter. But even if we could access all that gas, perhaps not all of us can afford to convert our vehicles from petrol. Oh well, there’s still solar right?

Australia has lots of sun. And we have one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world to prove it. So why can’t we tap into power from the sun? And the answer is: capital. In order to utilise power from the sun to run our cars, we probably need to spend a motza on batteries and a squillion more on solar panels. We probably could afford the outlay to go fully solar nationally (through public and private investment), but generating enough political will to make it happen will take time.

It seems funny to be short of energy in a country where we are not short on options. A bit like running out of ice in the Arctic (which strangely enough may be a reality soon).

Or not understanding Jesus despite going to church for many years. It sounds a bit harsh except everyone here in Australia is free to read about Jesus. It’s not like the Good Book is banned in the country (not yet anyway). Most of us have a Bible and they are not hard to find! So why aren’t we reading the Scriptures more? Could it be that familiarity breeds contempt? It would be sad to die of spiritual hunger when spiritual food is all around us (Proverbs 1:20-33).

All brickbats, bouquets and banter welcome at pastor@pmbc.org.au