A message from Neville Naden, Indigenous Ministry Officer, The Bush Church Aid Society of Australia.
As we approach another Australia Day, I pause to reflect on the blessings we enjoy as Australians, the challenges of our shared history, and the call to reconciliation. Above all, we give thanks to Almighty God, the giver of every good gift, for His provision and care for our nation.
26 January marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, a significant moment that shaped the Australia we know today. For many, this day is an opportunity to celebrate the freedoms, opportunities, and beauty of this country. However, it is also a time to acknowledge the harm colonisation brought to First Nations peoples – the dispossession, pain, and injustice that still impacts communities today.
From the earliest days of European settlement, faith in God was present. The First Fleet’s chaplain, the Reverend Richard Johnson, preached his first sermon on Australian soil from Psalm 116:12–13: “What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits toward me? I will take up the cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord.”
These words remain as relevant today as they were in 1788. They remind us that our response to the blessings of this land should be one of thankfulness and dedication to God. As an Indigenous Christian, I reflect on the choice I have in responding to our history. I can meditate on the wrongs that have occurred, or I can focus on the good that God has done through it all.
God, in His great mercy, has brought hope and restoration, even in the face of pain and loss. We see His hand in the resilience of First Nations peoples, the richness of their contributions to Australian society, and the growing movement towards reconciliation.
This Australia Day, let us turn our hearts to God in gratitude and commit to:
- Thankfulness: Acknowledging that every blessing we enjoy – from the beauty of this land to the freedoms we cherish – comes from the hand of Almighty God.
- Reflection: Facing the truth of our nation’s history, recognising the harm caused to First Nations peoples, and seeking to understand its ongoing impact.
- Action: Partnering with God’s work of reconciliation by building meaningful relationships, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives, and advocating for justice and equity.
May the blessing of Almighty God guide us as we walk this journey together. Like Richard Johnson and the First Fleet settlers, let us call upon the name of the Lord, seeking His wisdom and grace for our nation. Together, we can honour the past, embrace the present, and move forward in hope towards a future of unity and peace.
Image: Neville Naden. Image credit: BCA