A snapshot of what’s going on in the world right now takes us to multiple distressing, perhaps discouraging events. The endless Russian and Ukraine conflict, the instability in the Middle East resulting in subsequent wars in Gaza and Lebanon, the collapse of the Assad regime in Syria and the nuclear threats and mass killings in Iran are just a few that seem to gain heavy media coverage.

Other atrocities seem to receive less coverage like the situation in Nigeria, a nation grappling with acute inflation, rising poverty and widespread insecurity, including kidnappings and jihadist threats.

Shall we give in to fatalism or despair? Certainly not. Now is not the time to retreat into the prisons of anxiety and melancholy.

Paradoxically, humanity is very polarized right now and is making a choice. The choice lies in the individual, not in humanity as a whole. For this reason, humanity is splitting. There are members of this species that are seeking greater truth based upon unity, love, caring, equality, peace and non-violent resolution to challenges.

Is it just a coincidence that the rate of conversion to Christianity is thriving all over the world? Is not this thirst of greater truth the very foundation of the ‘good news’ of the gospels of Jesus Christ? Where else can we find the ultimate truth which gives life its true meaning? We are at liberty to choose. We either succumb to the darkness around us in despair or surrender to our Saviour Jesus Christ who is ‘The way, the truth and the life’ (John: 14:6)

Evidence shows rapid conversions to Christianity are occurring globally. A “quiet revolution” is taking place in Middle East and North Africa, with reports of up to a million or more Muslims converting to Christianity in recent years, despite severe risks of persecution in countries like Iran, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.

In Europe, a surge of conversions to Catholicism has also been noted, particularly among young adults in France and the UK, which saw a 45% increase in adult baptisms in 2024. Again, in the United States, while mainstream Christianity is experiencing a decline, there is a noted, specific trend of Gen Z, and some people from ‘no religion’ backgrounds, turning towards conservative Christianity.

The desire for truth is inbuilt in every human being. The search for meaning is a constant thirst. This is echoed in the famous quote from the Confession of St. Augustine “You have made us for yourself O Lord and our heart is restless until it rests in you”

The hard times and conflicts in a fallen world arouse an instinctive desire for authenticity. The desire for truth is a search for what is real, rather that what is comfortable or familiar.

Our calling as Christians is not a calling to despair in the face of such cruelty and violence around us. We are called, in the words of Saint Teresa of Calcutta to “light a candle instead of cursing the darkness”

When Jesus followers were turning their back on him because they found his teachings difficult, Jesus questioned his disciples “And you, would you also like to leave? And Peter replied “To whom shall we go? You have the words that give eternal life.” (John 6:66-68)

This article was published in the Sunday Times of Malta (1st March 2026) Gordon Vassallo