To borrow a saying, if I was paid a penny every time someone asked me why God doesn't just prove he's there, I would be rich. I've been asked this a number of times recently - no money though.
Sadly, it seems when God does provide incontrovertible proof; the proof doesn't have much staying power with humans. The revelation seems to quickly wear off. There's so much evidence of this; from the Jews in the Old Testament forgetting their miracle working to God, to first hand experiences of people healed in prayer and then walking away from God. Indisputable evidence is a poor motivator. Consider; we have proof that we're changing the climate to the detriment of all, and we won't engage in any substantive action. No-one denies that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer, yet few respond. We know our politicians are largely at the beck and call of lobbyists, yet voting apathy seems to be at an all time high. Drugs destroy, yet we take them. Materialism fails to bring joy, yet we are passionate for acquiring the latest offerings. And so it goes on. Yet belief ... now belief, there's a strong motivator. Well, blind belief; not so much - that vaporises under pressure. Although belief rooted in fear; that gives rise to violent jihadists. But belief founded in hope and joy; now there one finds sacrifice and service that seems indestructible even in the face of death. Why is that? Is this why God does not simply show himself in undeniable proof? For even Lucifer, in the very face of God, and knowing that he was not God, yet still chose to rebel. It seems this is not only a human condition. Belief is our individual conclusion based on evidence presented. Belief cannot be taught, only discovered. And what we learn for ourselves is more valuable than any knowledge we're taught. Because its mine, I examined it, I reasoned it, I realized it, I articulated it, and so I believe it because I know it. Of course I continually re-examine it. And when I come to the same conclusion (whether I like it or not), the belief gets stronger. There's a lot of beliefs I find uncomfortable and maybe wish were not true, but I can't deny evidence and still be honest with myself. This Christmas, will you re-examine your belief?
0 Comments
From Gavin in the land of Saudi Arabia
I thought I would reflect on one of the overriding impressions I have had of this desert kingdom over the past 3 months or so. It has struck me like the chill of an Arctic breeze. Saudi Arabia is a theocratic monarchy; less politely stated a dictatorship where people cannot freely exercise their rights by way of voice or vote. Perhaps the one freedom they do have is to consume and the malls are enshrined for this outlet of personal spending gratification. So entrenched is the foundation of Wahabi Islam that religion defines everything from a 5.30AM prayer call to black clad women who almost don't seem present across the day. But is is its exclusivity and seeming contorted sense of itself that is arresting as to my own pursuit of spirituality. As bewildering and dysfunctional as this can be one needs to suspend judgement. Jesus' injunction to 'love one's enemies' means in a sense viewing something that patently one doesn't like, differently from how ones default abhorrence reaction instinctively springs to life, it seems. This does not imply that one accepts unthinkingly, say the precepts of Islam as interpreted via culture then conflated as religion - Wahabiism, as 'truth'. That remains one's own prerogative. The vexing emotions, that one constantly has to deal with, are up for scrutiny here ! I have just finished a wonderful novel - 'Forty Rules of Love' (Elif Shafak) that explores Sufiism, mystical Islamic spirituality within a love story and presents the faith in a different light yet with many similarities to Christianity - where love over-arches fear; compassion and servitude duty, punishment and reward. Reiterated, I observe that one doesn't have to reject or deny the essence of Islam at source and I begin to understand this more and more albeit the practice thereof slower !Perhaps Jesus encourages us to de-emotionalize - walk with love in our hearts. Why deny yourself this to instead be fuelled by negativity which can cloud thinking, muddle emotions, deflate the spirit. So I must embrace this and attempt to practice non reaction to what slaps me in the face like a big, cold fish at times - to love what is apparently 'different' more. In so doing I in turn will learn to love myself deeper, to be slower to anger, which is imperative in order to love others more. Paul teaches that we are transformed by spiritual renewal and awareness so that we are set free from legalism - we grow to do things because we 'want to' rather than 'have to'. This has brought my own faith into sharp relief and question. To what extent do I exclude others from my sense of faith or how accessible do I make that faith ? No non Muslim may come anywhere near Mecca or Medina. It is exclusively for the spiritual elevation of Muslims. How close can a non -hristian come to our centres of faith? Does the church make a separation between those who ostensibly are part of the 'church' and those who who aren't by declaration of non faith or non attendance. Sometimes in Saudi Arabia it seems that Wahabiism would work best in the 7th C. How contemporary is Christianity in the 21C? Does the appeal to spirituality resonate with real issues in the same century? How genuinely welcoming are we? Is our gathering one to warm yourself at - alive and heartening or otherwise? I'd like to look at these questions more finely as they pertain to St.Barnabas and some of the thoughts I have had about the church and its future, next time. For now I leave you with some words from 'Forty Rules of Love' which suggest the transformative power of love : This world is like a snowy mountain that echoes your voice. Whatever you speak, good or evil, will somehow come back to you. Therefore, if there is someone who harbours ill thoughts about you, saying similarly bad things about him will only make matters worse. You will be locked in a vicious circle of malevolent energy. Instead for forty days and nights, say and think nice things about that person.Everything will be different after forty days, because you will be different inside. Best blessings, Gavin. Messages from a Mom When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. (John 16:21) I don’t know if sorrow is the right word, I certainly wasn’t too sad about giving up being the size of a minibus, but joy, joy is perfect. As I prepared for the journey to hospital at 4am that winter morning, I took one last look at my enormous belly in the mirror and muttered ‘See you in a bit’ to the little miracle that had blossomed inside me for the last nine months. Neither my husband nor I remember much about the journey to the hospital, we were both incredibly nervous and locked in our own private conversations with God. We’d marked the evening before by going to watch the sunset on Signal Hill trusting that, by the time the sun rose again, we’d be parents. It was a deeply meditative and introspective time, neither of us entirely sure about what was about to happen, how it would change things, and whether everything would go as we hoped. We really had to give all our unspoken fears over to the Lord as we’re told to do in 1 Peter 5. Nothing prepares you for the birth of your first child. No antenatal classes that we so diligently attended, none of the numerous blog articles I spent nine months pouring over and none of the anecdotes from all the other mothers who had been there before. That is because each of us, from our birth to our final moments have been individually and intricately knitted together by God’s own hand. And, as it says in 1 Corinthians, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. How. Incredible. Is. That? We are each of us a living breathing piece of God’s own art! Although I was doubtless one of many women who lay on the hospital theatre bed that day, my little delivery was an individual miracle and unique blessing, each of her downy little hairs numbered (Luke 12:7). And as I peered under the folds of countless blankets at her little button nose, I sighed, made in God’s own image, He must indeed be perfect. When I say nothing prepares you for the birth of your first child, I’m not talking about the sleepless nights or the sudden demand to be able to change a nappy while disposing of the last at breakneck speed, often in the back of a (moving) car, I’m talking about the emotions that pour forth from every inch of your being the single moment you hear their first gasp for breath. I thought I’d experienced joy before and, happily married, I was pretty sure I knew what unconditional love felt like, but the love you feel for your children is the sort of perfect love described in 1 Corinthians 134-7. My husband was a different man, transformed by love, his face shone with pride and adoration as if it was the Lord’s own face shining upon him (Numbers 6:25). Seeing this love, it is remarkable and reassuring that our Heavenly Father loves us in the same way, He is delighted by our every triumph and shoulders every one of our sorrows. Watching our little girl, cradled in her Father’s arms, safe from the world, I was reminded of the scripture that says, ‘He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for His children it will be a refuge’. Proverb 14:26 Over the first few days, as we welcomed friends and family, I noticed how our precious, perfect gift from above (James 1:17), brought similar joy to all who held her. I feel so privileged to have been able to give my Mum her first grandchild; the Bible says that Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, (Proverbs 17:6). When I first saw my Mum hold her granddaughter when she was just a few hours old, it was a truly beautiful moment. When my husband’s parents joined us to meet their seventh grandchild I realised how infinite love really is, they immediately fell in love with her as if she was their first grandchild all over again. One thing is for sure; babies bring out the best in people. Remembering the love and tenderness everyone showed her, from hospital staff to grandparents, and seeing how strangers soften when they see her 18 months later, it makes me wonder at what age do we stop loving other people like this. We are all somebody’s son or daughter, each of us has been that little child, and in the Lord’s eyes we are still as precious and certainly as vulnerable. Perhaps we should look upon each other as the children we all still are and afford everyone the same unquestioning love and affection we so naturally bestow upon the young. Surely the perfect unconditional love we have for our children is too good to be limited to them alone, in fact we are instructed to, ‘love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.’ (John 13:34-35) So my challenge today is to try to see other people as our Heavenly Father sees them, as His children, who He loves like a father loves his flesh and blood, for ‘so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.’ Romans 12:5 From: AO Notes
None of the major events behind the beginning of the church in Philippi could have happened simply by the ingenuity of Paul and Silas. It was God who:
Coffee/tea thought: God was behind the establishment of the church in Philippi. Let’s ponder the truth that this same God is still active in our churches and in our own lives. by Abigail Sometimes in my life I get the feeling that God is being more like a god and less like a father - like I’m getting some hard lessons minus the lovingness. This of course is not true, as God is God Our Father and is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. I know this more than ever when I look at the relationship between my son and I. I am reminded of the dynamic between Our Father’s love for us and what our perspective should be. It is a beautiful reminder of the trust I should have in Him, the simple belief that all He says is true, regardless of how I may feel at the time.
Isn’t this what God our Father wants for our relationship with Him? To trust Him unwaveringly. To depend on Him 100%. To not only believe that He knows what is good for you but to believe that He is fundamentally and unshakably good, even when He is silent sometimes, even when it feels like He is somewhere else and even in the midst of being pruned. To still come to Him with the faith and heart of a child. Our church is called St Barnabas - "the encourager". Here's an fascinating essay on how information plays with our responses, and perhaps leaves us with some thoughts on how to really be "An encourager".
"Surely by the time Elijah wandered off into the desert to die, he would have been a hard guy to discourage. ..." Full essay HERE. Its a well known adage that one can feel lonely while in the midst of a crowd. We've all (I presume) experienced it; being the one standing in the corner at a party, walking alone in a foreign country and not understanding a word around you, or feeling alienated among old friends at a school reunion. Sadly, this happens even in a church.
But there's a much more insidious, and dare I say widely prevalent loneliness that is of far greater consequence. I seem to have been unknowingly circling this topic and its now crept closer and surprised me (see: where's our conversation, how to speak wisdom, suppression and expression of public passion). I'm talking of the loneliness found within relationship. Again sadly, I think Christians are no more immune to this than those outside the church. If I even look back at only the last few weeks I'm conscious how often I've seen this loneliness. The retired couple who tolerate each other out of habit, the extrovert who let his guard slip and exposed a hole of loneliness, the person who's dying and isn't letting anyone into their fears, and all the ones living on the edge of a divorce that they don't see coming. This is the loneliness that hides under cover of friendly social norms. Its the loneliness that grows because we can't find someone to share a passion we hold dearly. All relationships have some measure of this, and it naturally causes little pools of sadness that there is something that another doesn't share. This is perfectly normal, to be expected, and most people cope fine. In some ways a slice of loneliness can help one find empathy. But when that absence of a connection lies in an area of deep felt passion, of a feeling that we find hard to express, it becomes the cause of deep frustration. No wonder artists are often deeply unsettled people, they're struggling to share something burning inside. Its no wonder that painters and musicians need their art to find some way to connect their deep passions with those around them, to find an expression that will create a sharing in relationship - its something we're all hungering for. I like to talk to myself - it helps. But having someone else to share my passion is even better. Those who have a close friend with who they can really converse are truly blessed in this world of digital isolation. Those who marry a friend, likewise. But many people only have social circles of shallowness. There are all too many relationships where all they have are conversations of convenience; what maybe started as a lust never grew into love. Thinking about this type of loneliness explains a lot, especially about why couples break up. If something is deeply important to me and I have no-one to share that passion, then I'm lonely in that area. Perhaps this is a root contribution to divorce - this loneliness even in relationship? This is the only explanation I can find for one person I know who was close to me. He divorced his wife for no clear reason, and could (would) not explain it to me. Increasingly I'm thinking that he allowed the slices of loneliness to grow ever larger until they consumed his love. We have to fight this loneliness in relationship, and the church should be on the forefront of that battle. And that makes me think of about another friend, and another, and another ... all have measures of loneliness ... have they let their passions nurture a loneliness within their relationship? (And I also wonder if that is why many lifestyle Christians don't have this loneliness? Perhaps because there's no passion that they desire to share?) The title is with apologies to this phdcomics post. This leads to a pleading proposal. I live a life of frustration over conversation. On the one hand I have limited energy for extrovert time (that time when you have to put your body into gear so that your mind can do the social engagement thing). On the other hand, when I do switch on the external functions, I'm often disappointed by the result - especially in Christian circles. So when I recently read a blog post where the author invited people to continue the conversation by buying his book, I reacted. I actually wrote an email to him (his blog does not allow comments!). Saying "buy the book" is not conversation, however good the book may be. Books have other purposes. As a Christian I am frustrated by the dearth of opportunity to actually have real conversation. There's no shortage of topics. In church circles it gets even worse: it seems that leadership are (necessarily?) consumed in tasks (see meetings!) rather than available for true conversation, while those in the pews shortly share various degrees of naiveté or insight (and how do we know which is which?). There are some who try to cross the divisions, but generally "conversation" is perhaps more a case of messages being pushed at each other - albeit with the best of intentions. Conversation is one part listening, one part reflection, and one part speaking. We've really got that last part down well! Twitter, snapchat, blogs(!), tumblr, facebook, even lowly email: we troll the universe demanding the impossible while denigrating the possible, pushing out abbreviated "speak" at high frequency into a void of mindless ears and eyes. Do we abbreviate so we can get it out quickly, or do we do it frequently because we abbreviate; is it all a personal gish gallop rooted in our intellectual insecurity? Even within the church's culture of yesteryear its preaching, teaching, singing, notices, instructions, reactions, functions, pleasantries in the foyer, and inanities over tea until we wave "bye" and say "see you next week" meaning "... maybe, all else being equal, and if nothing more pressing comes up". Conversation takes time and commitment. We really haven't got that down well! So I propose that our next decision could be to stop talking, and start creating ... spaces. Spaces in time, spaces in places, spaces that are inviting, spaces that are listening, spaces that are reflection, and spaces that are conversing.
Very occasionally we post someone else's writing rather than that of our own authors: this is one of them. See below this post for our regulars. From The Cost of Discipleship by Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) (pg. 45-49) Cheap grace is the deadly enemy of our Church. We are fighting today for costly grace. Cheap grace means grace sold on the market like cheapjacks’ wares. The sacraments, the forgiveness of sin, and the consolations of religion are thrown away at cut prices. Grace is represented as the Church’s inexhaustible treasury, from which she showers blessings with generous hands, without asking questions or fixing limits. Grace without price; grace without cost! The essence of grace, we suppose, is that the account has been paid in advance; and, because it has been paid, everything can be had for nothing…. Cheap grace means grace as a doctrine, a principle, a system. It means forgiveness of sins proclaimed as a general truth, the love of God taught as the Christian ‘conception’ of God. An intellectual assent to that idea is held to be of itself sufficient to secure remission of sins…. In such a Church the world finds a cheap covering for its sins; no contrition is required, still less any real desire to be delivered from sin. Cheap grace therefore amounts to a denial of the living Word of God, in fact, a denial of the Incarnation of the Word of God. Cheap grace means the justification of sin without the justification of the sinner. Grace alone does everything they say, and so everything can remain as it was before. ‘All for sin could not atone.’ Well, then, let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself on the world’s standards in every sphere of life, and not presumptuously aspire to live a different life under grace from his old life under sin…. Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession…. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate. Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man’ will gladly go and self all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble, it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him. Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son: “ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God. Costly grace is the sanctuary of God; it has to be protected from the world, and not thrown to the dogs. It is therefore the living word, the Word of God, which he speaks as it pleases him. Costly grace confronts us as a gracious call to follow Jesus. It comes as a word of forgiveness to the broken spirit and the contrite heart. Grace is costly because it compels a man to submit to the yoke of Christ and follow him; it is grace because Jesus says: “My yoke is easy and my burden is light.” On two separate occasions Peter received the call, “Follow me.” It was the first and last word Jesus spoke to his disciple (Mark 1.17; John 21.22). A whole life lies between these two calls. The first occasion was by the lake of Gennesareth, when Peter left his nets and his craft and followed Jesus at his word. The second occasion is when the Risen Lord finds him back again at his old trade. Once again it is by the lake of Gennesareth, and once again the call is: “Follow me.” Between the two calls lay a whole life of discipleship in the following of Christ. Half-way between them comes Peter’s confession, when he acknowledged Jesus as the Christ of God…. This grace was certainly not self-bestowed. It was the grace of Christ himself, now prevailing upon the disciple to leave all and follow him, now working in him that confession which to the world must sound like the ultimate blasphemy, now inviting Peter to the supreme fellowship of martyrdom for the Lord he had denied, and thereby forgiving him all his sins. In the life of Peter grace and discipleship are inseparable. He had received the grace which costs. I watched a video titled "They became what they beheld" (watch it - thought provoking and fun) - sadly its a truism that we most often become what we spend time beholding.
The video spoke of "the wisest words I know", and yes, in context there were wise words along with many other provocative phrases such as "clear speaking is generally obsolete thinking", and "the problem with full statement is ... it leaves no room for participation". But the video mentions "the wisest words I know"? Last night at 4am I was wrestling with this. In the morning I asked another person "What are the wisest words you know?", and received a quick answer from the surface of their thinking, as one might expect. What are the wisest words? Are there wisest words? There are of course wise words for a situation, but what are the top-most, best possible, all time greatest of wise words? That's like trying to ask what is wisdom's gravity; what words lie at the centre of wisdom's pervasive, all impacting, inescapable influence. Here are some examples of wisdom from my two most favourite authors. They live(d) a century apart, one was a firm Christian, the other is a serious atheist, yet each reflects the other and together they reflect ... truth?
I love such words because they touch a truth I know deep inside but have never been able to express. I think wise words are simply this, no more, no less: words that give a voice and life to what we know on the deepest levels to be true but have never known how to express. Of course they're not always relevant! What are the wisest words I know? What words tell me a truth I've not been able to voice? What words, like gravity, hold everything else together? "Love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, for that is the source of all Joy. Love my neighbour as myself, for that is the truck to transport my joy." No joy? Garbage truck! No truck? Useless joy! No joy, no truck? I'm a fly beholding the fly paper, and I will soon become what I behold. That's wise. (I think) |
Important: The views expressed on this blog do not necessarily reflect the official position of our church
Like to Write? Archives
June 2015
|