Wordsurfers
  • Home
    • About
  • Sermons
    • The Beatitudes
    • Parables
    • Fruits of the Spirit
    • The Seven Churches in Revelation
    • Living in Christ
    • The Gospel according to John
    • Daniel
    • Other Sermons
  • Publications
  • Thoughts
  • Key Readings
  • Prayers
  • "Quotes"
  • Gallery
  • Video

At the Party

12/1/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
It happens at social gatherings.
 
First, the (almost) inevitable question:  And what do you do for a living?
 
Next, the deep breath followed by the fatal confession:  Actually I’m a Christian Minister, yes, a clergyman, one of those.
 
The reaction varies but quite frequently the recoil is visible, the person silently cursing themselves for sitting beside you or preparing their excuse to go talk to someone else. 
 
It’s hardly surprising, our image is none too positive these days.
 
On occasions I’ve hesitated, weary of the awkward pause and frowns from down the table for killing the conversation.  I’m tired of having to give lengthy apologies and assurances that I’m not a money-grabbing paedophile.  Once or twice out of mischief I’ve replied straight-faced, ‘I’m a government assassin.’
 
Such a different response!
 
Immediate smiles of recognition and nods of approval!  Slaps on the back and hand shakes all round.  Offers of names to add to your current ‘hit list’.  You’re a celebrity like 007 or Jason Bourne or at least you have a sense of humour.  Welcome to the party.
 
I really don’t mind talking about my work or my faith but I think the above responses tell us something of where we’ve got to as a culture and society.  Fictional characters like Bond, a womanising, alcoholic killer, are celebrated as heroes while real life pastors, flawed though we are, who nevertheless serve church and local community with a good news message of redeeming love are automatically suspected of villainy!
 
It’s nothing new.  Centuries before Christ prophets like Isaiah spoke about people calling evil good and good evil.  It was fashionable in their day to visit shrine prostitutes and sacrifice first born children to pagan god Moloch.  It was considered something of a civic duty, doing your bit to ensure good harvests and boost the economy.  A good thing overall.
 
Our generation is not so different.  People still practise immorality and kill children, it’s just called by different names.  Arguments for freedom, equality and human rights are taken to justify a wide range of sexual alternatives and the abortion of countless children.  Church members who in conscience dare to express reservation or appeal to women outside abortion clinics are demonised as engaging in ‘hate crime’ or even risk arrest.
 
The contrast is starkly illustrated in the Gospels during Passover week when Pilate gives the crowd a choice between Jesus and Barabbas who was in jail for ‘insurrection and murder’.
 
‘Release Barabbas!’ the mob roar, ‘Crucify Jesus!’
 
That could be us right there.  Give us Barabbas every time.  Society chooses rebellion and death and Christians can easily be carried along by the crowd.  From our armchairs we feed regularly on violence and sex for entertainment.  Or we’re simply too lazy to change channel, we shrug and let it seep in.  Then we tut-tut along with the papers over the incidence of knife crime or sexual harassment and look for someone to blame.  Such hypocrites we are!
 
But what if people chose Jesus instead?  What if we actually allowed Him to ‘rule over us’?
 
It would be challenging for sure.  We’d have to choose forgiveness over revenge, kindness over killing, respect and self-control over free lust.  Love for everyone, enemies included.  Reverence for the Maker and His laws.  And faith. 
 
Faith in the One Who took the blame for us.  Who beat death and lives that we might enjoy prospects of a present and future blessed in relationship with Him.
 
‘Love me as I am, don’t ask me to change.’  That seems to be a message we’re hearing a lot in this generation.  But what if I meet someone who makes me want to change and be better in every way?  Someone worth changing for?
 
That might make a difference.
 
I think I already have.  And I’m grateful for His patience and generosity, continuously forgiving and helping and inspiring me.  I want to follow and serve, even if it means speaking about Him in public.
 
I might even tell the folk at the party.
 

 


0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014

Proudly powered by Weebly