Guy Mason - October 2011
28 Sep 2011
“The best city in the world”
It was recently announced that Melbourne has vaulted Vancouver to become the best city in the world to live, according to the latest Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Survey.
In a ranking of 140 cities around the world, Melbourne was given a score of 97.5 per cent. According to the EIU, every city is assigned a rating of relative comfort for over 30 qualitative and quantitative factors across five broad categories: stability; healthcare; culture and environment; education; and infrastructure.
It comes as no surprise (at least to me) that Melbourne has hit the top of the charts. It is a magnificent city. I have lived here my whole life and feel deeply blessed to have been born into a culture full of diversity, passion and creativity.
This announcement caused me to reflect.
Firstly, we Melburnians must be thankful. Whether we have grown up in this city or transferred for work and new opportunities – all of us have much to be grateful for. Melbourne is a gift to us.
Secondly, Melburnians must be generous. To those who are given much, much is expected. According to this research Melbourne sits in a unique category of wealth, affluence and security. The large number of our global family does not occupy this same position. Many in our world, through no fault of their own, live in poverty and need. As Melburnians we have much to offer others. We have opportunities and a responsibility to step out of our comfort zones and use our experience, training, knowledge, resources, finances in service of others so that they, like us, can be given a go.
Thirdly, Melburnians must be realistic. Regardless of your worldview, our life at the top will not last. Whether you see yourself as a theist, atheist or something in between, we all agree on one thing – our life will at some point end. Whether age eight or 80 we will leave this world. And it doesn’t matter if you live here or Mozambique the saying is true – “naked we came into the world, naked we leave the world.” A day will come where the comforts and security of this age will have passed. You can either choose to consume as much as you can or live in light of that future reality and get ready.
As a believer in God, I approach this day with joy filled hope, knowing that in Jesus there is a new city to come – a city marked by perfect and everlasting joy. A city where we will live in renewed bodies. A city with no more mourning, crying, suffering and pain. A city where we will see God face-to-face and dwell with him forever. A city we can enjoy through faith in Jesus.
This great city called Melbourne will then be transformed. It will be made new. And it will shine with such radiance that it will make its former state look as nothing in comparison.
I look forward to that day – a day made possible by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Until that day comes, I will – by God’s grace – seek to love and serve this city for his glory. I will do it with a thankful heart. I will do it with a generous life. I will do it with expectant and confident hope in a savior who has always been good to his word and our city.
Guy Mason is the pastor of City on a Hill. Services are on Sundays at 10am (Hoyts, Melbourne Central) and 6pm (Arrow, 488 Swanston Street).
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