What are you living for?

Dedicated people will do nearly anything to get what they want. They have a clear and unswerving focus which they pursue with determination. Liesel Jones was interviewed recently about her preparations for the Olympics. At twenty two years of age she is attending her third Olympics. It hasn’t happened without a huge commitment and a gruelling training schedule. Athletes from other countries around the world have made similar sacrifices to have the opportunity to compete.

In contrast, Australia has been described as “the land of the long weekend”. We are known as a country that “lives for” its moments of pleasure. The rest of the week is seen as an “interruption”. For many people work is seen as just a way to pay the bills. In a similar way, schoolwork is seen as just being about getting an education so you can earn money. This kind of approach can mean that we spend a large part of our lives looking forward to something but not enjoying the present moment. After the weekend many people suffer from “Mondayitis”. It’s hard to get out of bed and go back to school or work. But have you considered that one seventh of your life is lived on Mondays? So, if you suffer from “Mondayitis” you could be wasting a seventh of your life!

The Bible teaches that there is more to life than looking forward to “weekends”. Every day can be filled with meaning and purpose when God is at the centre of how we live. The apostle Paul found meaning and purpose in life even in the midst of suffering and difficulty. His greatest concern was that Christ would be honoured in his life and his death. He knew that his future was uncertain. He was not afraid of dying for his faith. He knew that heaven would be a far better place. But his concern was not for his own comfort. He wanted to live in a way that pleased and honoured God. He valued his relationships with his friends and knew he could encourage their faith by staying alive.

So he was able to write to his friends in Philippi,

“Alive I’m Christ’s messenger, dead I’m his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can’t lose.” (Philippians 1:21 The Message)

Are you excited about life? Do you have a passion that motivates you? Are you drifting along wondering where your life is going? Do you have a sense of direction?

Proclaiming Christ is what matters

As we saw below, the apostle Paul was in jail for Jesus. But he believed that God was bigger than any restriction placed upon him by other people. He took the opportunity to share his faith with the soldiers who guarded him. His life had been totally changed by meeting the risen Lord Jesus. As a result, the most important thing in his life was telling other people about Jesus.

Some people tried to make his situation in prison worse. They told others about Jesus to create trouble for him. Others shared their faith out of a genuine concern that people might come to know Christ. Paul didn’t care what their motives were. He just wanted the message about Jesus spread far and wide. He put it like this,

“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is proclaimed. And because of this I rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18)

As a school student I met a mixture of people who claimed to be Christian. Some of them I admired. Others I couldn’t stand, they annoyed and aggravated me by their behaviour. But looking back God used them all. In different ways they challenged me to think about the place of Jesus in my life. So I’ve come to realise that the message about Jesus is more powerful than the imperfect human beings who share it. That’s good news!

Has an imperfect messenger stopped you considering the message about Christ? Look beyond the messenger to the person of Jesus. Have you been reluctant to let other people know you follow Christ because you aren’t perfect? Be encouraged, God works through weak and frail human beings like you and I.

Paul had discovered that encountering Jesus could change an angry hate-filled person into a loving and forgiving person. He wanted other people to experience the same kind of transformation. Chains couldn’t stop its power and neither could wrongly motivated messengers.

The message about Jesus is divinely powerful. Have you considered it seriously? Are you sharing it openly?

In Jail for Jesus

Are you tempted to complain about getting up early on these cold mornings? Do you wish you had less homework to do (or less to mark)? Would you like a bigger house, a better car or a longer holiday? It is easy to become discontent with our lot in life, especially after the holiday break from routine. Things can often look better somewhere else or for someone else. So, how can we keep things in focus and maintain a positive attitude?

I find it helpful to connect with people who are struggling to overcome adversity. It may be a health issue or unemployment. It could be difficulties in their family situation. Whatever it is, their courage and determination inspires and challenges me. It also helps me to put my temptation to grumble into perspective. It reminds me as well, about the importance and power of God’s message known as “the gospel”.

Reading about fellow Christians who have suffered for their faith also challenges and encourages me. It is relatively easy to follow Jesus in Australia. But in many parts of the world it is costly and dangerous to do so. Some people are imprisoned for their faith some are even killed. In other places the discrimination takes the form of limited job opportunities or being passed over for promotion. The early Christians also suffered for their faith. The apostle Paul is one example. He was imprisoned for his faith and later executed. But he was still able to stay joyful and trust God. He writes,

“I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the Christians here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah.” (Philippians 1:12-14 The Message)

Paul’s writing reminds me that God is bigger than all my problems. He is also able to use them to achieve his purposes. He is especially concerned about people and wants them to know about his Son Jesus. Perhaps you feel “chained” to someone, like the soldiers Paul had guarding him. Maybe they are God’s opportunity for you to share His love and message.

Or perhaps there is someone who needs your support and encouragement? You could sit with them at lunchtime. Maybe you could write them a note of encouragement, send them a text message or email or phone them. Some people just need a listening ear. Sharing God’s love in these ways can bless others as well as remind us of how blessed we already are.

Enjoy your freedom and ask God to use the difficulties in your life.

What do you see?

What do you see when you look at the people around you? Jesus often saw what others missed. People whom they ignored mattered to him. On one occasion he came across a man who had been blind since birth. The religious leaders saw a sinner. Jesus saw an opportunity to bring God glory by healing the man. How could they have looked at things so differently?

The religious leaders believed that if someone was sick from birth they must have sinned. Either that or their parents had sinned. This is still a common but unspoken idea today. If we are sick or someone else is sick we can think that it is a punishment from God. Now, it is possible that some of our sicknesses are a result of bad lifestyle choices or deliberate sin. But other sicknesses are simply the result of living in a sinful and broken world. In either case, God wants to help us find wholeness.

Jesus didn’t see a “sinner” who was being punished by God. He saw a person that God cared about. His actions in healing the man confirmed God’s love and power. They also changed the man’s life amazingly. His eyes were opened. He no longer had to beg for a living. But he did have to face criticism and opposition from people who didn’t understand what Jesus had done for him.

The religious leaders held an inquiry. They didn’t like the fact that Jesus had broken one of their rules. He had healed the man on the Sabbath. This was supposed to be a day of rest. They believed that Jesus had broken one of God’s rules. They were blind to the fact that he was doing what God wanted. They made their rules about God bigger than God.

When they interviewed the man he told them that he thought Jesus was a prophet. They labelled Jesus a sinner to which the man replied:

“Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” … We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing”. (John 9:25, 31-33)

They continued to question him and finally insulted and kicked him out of their meeting place. Jesus showed the man who He really was. “Then the man said, ‘Lord, I believe,’ and he worshipped him”. (John 9:38)

The religious leaders thought they had God worked out. The blind man and Jesus were both “sinners” in their eyes. They failed to see the man or Jesus as they really were. What do you see when you look at people? What do you see when you look at Jesus?

What do you see in the above picture – a young woman or an old hag? (Both are there)

He came at night

Nicodemus was a deeply religious man. He came to Jesus at night. He probably didn’t want his friends to see that he was talking to Jesus. He admitted that Jesus was a teacher sent by God. He also agreed that He had done some amazing miracles. But he was puzzled and troubled by his talk with Jesus. Jesus said to him,

“I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” (John 3:3)

This phrase, “born again” has been used to describe all kinds of things in recent years. I saw an advertisement for “born again” carpets! In North America it has been used to describe “born again Christians”. But for Nicodemus, an old man, it was a shocking and hard to understand idea.

“How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” (John 3:4)

Jesus explains the idea in terms of entering into a whole new dimension of life. This dimension is “the kingdom of God”. It is not a country or patch of land. It is surrendering to and trusting in the leadership of the Creator of the universe. It is coming under his rule and receiving his guidance.

But it is not simply about deciding to be different, or making better choices to please God. It involves starting life over like a newborn child. We are born into a new family. God’s Spirit comes to live in us and gives us the desire and ability to be like Jesus. Jesus likens the Spirit to a wind which blows wherever it pleases. We don’t control God. He is full of surprises, faithful but unpredictable.

How is this possible? Jesus goes on to say that he is the One who has come down from heaven and who has been to heaven. As we look to him and trust in what he has done, our sins are forgiven and we can experience “eternal life”. This life starts now, not at death. It is available to us because God gave his one and only Son to die on the cross for our sins. Jesus didn’t come to condemn the world but to save it. (See John 3:1-18 for the full story)

What do you believe about Jesus? Have you been born again?
Are you living in the new dimension of life Jesus spoke about?
Do you know the strength God’s Spirit can give?

Who is the greatest?

How would you define greatness? What do you look for in a “great” person? Heavy weight boxing champion Muhammad Ali was famous for his personal affirmation “I am the greatest”. It was one of the ways that he used to “psych out” his opponents before a fight. Nearly two thousand years earlier, Jesus was asked this question related to greatness:

“At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"” (Matthew 18:1)

They were on their way with Jesus to Jerusalem. They expected that when he arrived in the capital he would stage a revolution and overthrow the Roman invaders. Their question was a “loaded” one. They hoped that he would tell them who would be appointed as his key advisors in a government (“kingdom”).

Jesus answer surprised them,

“He called a little child and had him stand among them. 3 And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:2-4)

Instead of answering in terms of politics and power he put a little child in front of them. His message was – “change and become like a child”, “humble yourself”.

I thought about these verses after visiting our new pre-K facility last week. It was about three o’clock in the afternoon. A little child was asleep in the corner, unaware of the noise going on around him. Such trust and innocence struck me. I also envied the fact that he was able to have an afternoon nap! Little children are full of the joy of life. They are open, honest, and vulnerable. These are some of the qualities Jesus says we need, to be great in God’s kingdom. He continues by encouraging us to welcome children as if we were welcoming him.

Finally, Jesus warns those who cause little children to sin that they will be judged harshly by him. (Matthew 18:5-6) This is a challenging word as our nation reflects on the Government’s recent apology to aboriginal people. Ultimately, policies related to the “Stolen Generation”, aboriginal health care, life expectancy etc. are matters which have had and still have a huge impact on children. Beyond the word “Sorry” is the challenge to welcome and care for the children in our society as Jesus would.

Walking in the dark or living in the light?

Have you ever been afraid of the dark? This week I have been thinking about some of the times in my life when I have been in the dark. As a member of the scouts I went caving in the Bungonia caves near Goulburn. We were required to take two light sources with us into the caves, such as a torch and a caving lamp. Once we were deep underground our leader had all of us turn off our lights. When we held up our hands we couldn’t see our own fingers to count them. This reminded us of the dangers of caving in the dark. It would be so easy to get lost.

When I began training to be a pastor I moved in to accommodation at the college where I was training. It was a big, old building with lecture halls and meeting rooms downstairs and student rooms upstairs. I was single but most of the students were married and lived down the road in a block of flats. Often on a Monday night I would be the only person in this dark and creaky building. My room opened on to a long, dark corridor with bathroom facilities at each end. It took me a while to adjust to the darkness and silence. It is easy to imagine all kinds of things when you here a noise in the middle of the night in a building like that!

What is it about the dark that can cause us to be afraid? Sometimes, it is our fear of the unknown. We imagine people, “monsters” or other things waiting to get us. It may be our loss of control or fear of being lost. We can’t find our way in or out. We may also feel alone and unsupported.

Jesus describes living life without his help and guidance as being like, “walking in the dark”. He calls himself, “the light of the world!” John records his words in the Bible,

“Once again Jesus spoke to the people. This time he said, ‘I am the light for the world! Follow me, and you won’t be walking in the dark. You will have the light that gives life.’” (John 8:12)

He says the way to make sense of life and find our direction is to follow him. When he makes this claim he is speaking to a group of people who think they are very religious. They see themselves as better than other people and think they have the right to judge them. He points out that they don’t see others as clearly as they believe. He says,

“You judge in the same way that everyone else does, but I don’t judge anyone. If I did judge, I would judge fairly, because I would not be doing it alone. The Father who sent me is here with me.” (John 8:15-16)

Are you walking in the dark or living in the light? Following Jesus will give you “the light that leads to life”.

Like a strong wind

Have you ever felt like a tug-of-war is going on inside you? There are times when you know what the right thing to do is. You want to do it but you find yourself doing the opposite. It may be holding your tongue instead of lashing out. It could be shutting the fridge door instead of going back for more. Perhaps it’s stopping to help, rather than turning a blind eye to someone in need. This kind of struggle can sap our energy, darken our mood and add to our stress and anxiety. We long to be different but can’t quite make or sustain the change. The apostle Paul was a strong and mature follower of Jesus. Yet, he was able to share his own struggle in these words:

“It happens so regularly that it's predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God's commands, but it's pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.

24I've tried everything and nothing helps. I'm at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn't that the real question? “(Romans 7:21-24 The Message)

Paul goes on to write about the way in which Jesus comes to help us with this struggle. He says,

“The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. (Romans 7:25 The Message)

Opening up our lives to Jesus Christ frees us to live differently. It doesn’t mean that we are perfect or sinless. But we receive his strength to change, to overcome and to win the tug-of-war more and more often. We can also bounce back from our failures, receiving his forgiveness instead of wallowing in guilt or regret. Paul describes it like this:

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ's being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death.” (Romans 8:1-2 The Message)

In what areas of your life do you struggle to win the tug-of-war? Have you asked for Christ’s help? Have you experienced the wind of Christ’s Spirit blowing the black clouds away?

Life is not a dress rehearsal

The sudden and premature death of film star Heath Ledger has devastated his family, friends and fans. His promising career and outstanding talent have been lost. Confusion remains about the cause and circumstances of his death. But tributes to his talent and concern for others continue to flow in. He appears to have stayed connected to his roots and to be more focused on using his gifts, than with gaining fame or money. In the midst of this grief and support “some US religious groups have vowed to picket any (memorial) service to protest the actor's portrayal of a gay cowboy in Brokeback Mountain.” (www.theage.com.au 27/1/08)

What is it about such events that grab our attention? Why does it stop so many of us in our tracks? Perhaps it is because it reminds us of the uncertainty and value of life. As I heard the news I was reminded of the saying, “Life is not a dress rehearsal”. We only get one “shot” at it. So, we need to live it to the “max”. For some people, the uncertainty of life causes them to shrink back in fear, to play it safe, to avoid taking risks in case they get it wrong. For others, it challenges them to seize the opportunities that come, before they are gone.

Don’t be fooled into “wishing your life away” by just living for the weekend or longing for the next holidays. Count every day as precious and see it as a gift from God. “Seize the day” as Robin Williams so aptly put it in “Dead Poets Society”. Don’t ask, “What could go wrong today?” Instead consider, “What can I do today that will help me to grow and learn as a person and as a member of society?”

Second century Christian St. Irenaeus said: - "The End of man is the glory of God; the glory of God is a man fully alive." We were made to bring glory God. So, when we live life to the full, we live as God intended us to live. Living like this brings praise and honour to God. In the words of Jesus, “In the same way, let your light shine before people, that they may see your good deeds and give glory to your Father in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16)

What about those planning to picket Heath’s memorial service? It seems to me that this is an insensitive and unhelpful way to lodge their protest. Even those with whom we may disagree deserve respect and compassion in their grief.

The Government of God

We have a new government! For some people this announcement has brought great joy and excitement. Others have received the news with anxiety and uncertainty. During the recent election campaign it was repeatedly stated that, “If you change the government you change the country”. Many people are now waiting to see what changes will follow.

Before the birth of Christ many people were longing for a change of government. They lived under Roman occupation. They waited for God’s special messenger (Messiah). The prophet Isaiah described his coming like this:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, n Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

Whoever wins or loses at election time the Bible tells us that there is a higher authority guiding and directing our government and those of other nations. It is the government of God and it rests “on the shoulders” of Jesus. His life reflected the aspects of the Messiah described by Isaiah. He was (and is) a person of wisdom and strength. He paid the price for our peace by dying on the cross. He proved his identity as the Everlasting One by rising from the dead.

Good news

Jesus began his public ministry by making a “policy speech” setting out his agenda for change. It set out what he had come to do, and it echoed the words of Isaiah 61 which had also predicted the coming of God’s anointed messenger. He said:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,
to release the oppressed to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.” (Luke 4:18-19 NIV)

This is the kind of government that Jesus Christ brings. It comes through the prayers and actions of those who follow him. It also comes through the guiding hand of God on people who do not even claim to know him. It began with the birth of a baby in Bethlehem whose arrival was announced by angels with these words:

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)

How will you celebrate the good news of his government this Christmas?