The Crown and the Curse

This Easter we are going to be reflecting on Jesus being crowned as “king of the Jews” with a crown of thorns. His coronation was enacted, not on a throne with a gold crown, but on a cross with a crown of thorns. This crowning of him as “king” was done in mockery by the Roman empire, but also by the Jewish leaders and religious authorities who rejected him as Messiah and Son of God. However, there was far more going on with that crown of thorns than either the Romans or the Jewish leaders understood.

To understand what was really taking place, and its significance for them and us today, we need to go back to Genesis. The separation of humanity from God because of our pride and disobedience to our creator. However we understand the narrative of Genesis, we see that part of the fallout and consequence of our rejection of God was the cursing of the land, as well as spiritual death and suffering. This is the account we read in Scripture.

Genesis 3:16-19  To the woman he said, "I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you." To Adam he said, "Because you listened to your wife and ate from the tree about which I commanded you, 'You must not eat of it,' "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."

The scourge and curse of sin and pride and putting self over God our creator, led to broken relationship between us and God, between humanity itself (men and women), and to the ground becoming a place of toil and hard work and thorns. Christians often roll all of this up into the phrase “the curse”, which altered all God had created that was good, and in harmony, and perfect relationship. However we try to cleverly discuss the problem of evil and suffering, we can never quite make it neat and tidy. Someone once said trying to explain evil and suffering is like trying to hold three big watermelons in two hands. We might not have neat answers, but we know its reality and we live under the shadow of the “curse” and the presence of evil and suffering, and thorns (physical and metaphorical).

Jesus mandate was to come and free humanity and all of creation from the effects of this curse and to reverse the power and rule of evil and destruction and entropy. He came to reveal God to us, but also to carry upon himself the curse, and in doing so break its power. So as he hung on that cross he bore on his head, not a crown of gold, but a crown of thorns – the king of kings bearing the weight of the curse represented in a crown of thorns. Paul writing to the Galatians sums it up.

Galatians 3:13  Christ redeemed us from that self-defeating, cursed life by absorbing it completely into himself. Do you remember the Scripture that says, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"? That is what happened when Jesus was nailed to the Cross: He became a curse, and at the same time dissolved the curse.

Having broken the power of the curse and grave, Jesus rose victorious and is crowned in glory having redeemed all of creation and freed us from death, decay, and the thorns of bondage. Praise be to Jesus our saviour. The head that once was crowned with thorns, is crowned in glory now and lifts us up to glory with him.

Grace and Peace - Garry

First Things

There are many things that occupy our minds, perhaps more now than ever. As our world increases in complexity we have to deal with technology, and we have the ability to know what is happening in every corner of the world rather than just our own geographic area, which isn’t always helpful. In Jesus day they worried about things too, maybe just different things related to food security, health, and occupying forces. But they like us had to pay taxes, deal with family complexities, and clean their houses (without vacuum cleaners!). But Jesus encouraged his followers to narrow their focus as they sought to live in the “kingdom of God”. That phrase was not about a distant vision of rainbows and unicorns, but in Jesus words – a reality that is now among you; God here now time has come. So live in the reality of that in the way you order your life and thinking. This was a challenge, because life was still hard, the Romans still occupied their land, and they still had to deal with the uncertainties of life. And yet Jesus spoke these words.

Matthew 6:31-34 (NIV) Do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the ungodly run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Eugene Peterson’s paraphrase/translation of this passage in The Message helpfully picks up on Jesus intent.

Matthew 6:31-34  What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

I like the way he puts flesh on “the kingdom of God” by using the phrase “steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative”. That seems to capture better the essence of what Jesus was declaring. God is now among you, so put on his glasses and see the true reality around you. That will help you not to worry about things you can’t control and which don’t really matter that much. C.S. Lewis picks up on Jesus call when he said “Put first things first and second things are thrown in. Put second things first and you lose both first and second things.” When we loosen our grip on being preoccupied with getting, and start to respond more to God’s giving and focus on what he is doing right now, then other less important things will find their place. That takes trust and faith, but Jesus is always good for what he promises. He has never failed, and his words are a firm foundation on which we can build our lives as we keep first things first.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Leaving your Mark

I was frustrated and a bit angry when I turned up to church two weeks ago on the Sunday morning to see the front had been heavily graffitied overnight with spray paint. I was also curious what “zone 3” meant and why we were in zone 3, and who had decided to leave their mark on our building. People have been writing their names into stone and on trees and other places for centuries, so it is not a new phenomenon. I reflected on who the people might have been who defaced the church, and their reasoning for wanting to leave their “mark” for all to see. I also had to acknowledge that in my teens I also had a  personal “tag” and was responsible for some “marks” left around Urrbrae High School and on more than a few school desks.

Why do we as humans often feel the need to make our mark, or to create something that others will see that somehow makes us feel better about ourselves, or gives us some sense of meaning or importance? It may not be as inconsiderate or jarring as graffiti, but many people want to make a mark somehow so that they are remembered or feel like they have built something or created something significant that forms some kind of legacy. The reality, however, is that few of us will have buildings or grandstands named after us, or have our names mentioned in reverent tones long after we are dead.

Many great world leaders from centuries past have places that mark their time and achievements, such as a grave or an artifact or written documents or decrees. You can visit sites or see things like Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus and get a sense of their impact and power. As I have been reflecting on Advent again, it struck me that with Jesus, there is nothing physical or monumental about any aspect of his life that you can touch or go and see. We don’t know really where he was buried, we don’t have anything he wrote, we don’t know exactly where he was born or have a house that he grew up or lived in. We don’t know exactly where he died, and there are no actual relics that can be proved to be directly connected to his life. I think God intentionally ensured that this would be the case, because as humans we tend to then go and worship those things.

The ”mark” Jesus left from his extraordinary life as the Son of God, was his impact on people and their changed lives. He didn’t raise an army or build a church or establish an orphanage or a homeless shelter. He just impacted people and changed them in radical ways that then in turn lead to them changing the world. Jesus life I would argue changed the world more than anyone else who has lived, yet he left behind nothing to show for it apart from the changed people he intersected with. So for you and I, the question is how are we impacting those around us and are we being people of positive change? Will the impact of our lives on the lives of those around us extend beyond our time on earth in ways that are life giving and reflecting the love and presence of the Holy Spirit? Jesus came to us and gave himself, and the greatest gift perhaps we can give to others is also ourselves and what we bring to their lives. Who has impacted your life and how can you live to be a positive Jesus shaped impact on someone in your life?

God’s greatest gift to us was the gift of his presence.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Teach us to pray

Jesus the Rabbi called his apprentices to follow him, to be with him, and to live in close proximity with him day in and day out. As they did, they began to observe his practices of prayer, going away to be with the Father and then coming back to engage in the crowds and teaching and healing. They saw a connection between his prayer life and his daily life – and it was attractive. So even though these Jewish men would have known off by heart many of the Jewish prayers they were taught as boys growing up, they still made this odd request of Jesus. Teach us to pray. They already knew how to pray, so what were they asking? Maybe it was something more like – “teach us to pray in the way we see you praying”, because it is different to what we know or grew up being taught. I’m kind of with the disciples more and more – God teach me to pray, because I am not sure I have fully experienced all you meant prayer to be. Do you know “how to pray”? Do you feel you would like to learn from Jesus more about prayer, the kind of prayer he engaged with the Father?

Tyler Staton in his book “Praying like monks, living like fools” (Hodder and Stoughton 2022) says that prayer is first and foremost about “presence” than it is about anything else. Prayer, like with Jesus, is a free and deliberate choice to spend time with the Father – to prefer his company. The foundation of prayer does not start with outcomes or lists, because if it does we will end up disappointed with God. Prayer must start with presence. Our challenge is that we are born into, swim in, and are bombarded with messages that tell us life is about the “market place”; about transactions, about getting stuff or getting “experiences”. The economy and social status and how much we have or don’t have is what drives so much of our society. For me now, every phone call from someone I don’t know, every business I engage with, even interactions I have with other Christian leaders feels like some kind of transaction – they or I want something. There are very few spaces or relationships that are just about presence. No wonder my and our prayer life can feel like a market place; a transactional deal making extension of the economy. Just like if I work hard my life will improve, if I pray right or be a good Christian then God will “bless me”. But how often am I present to the Father, simply to just be with him?

The time Jesus got most upset and angry was when he cleared the temple and flipped tables and walked around with a whip in his hand driving the merchants out. They, like many of us, had turned his Fathers house of “prayer” into a transactional market place – an economy, far from presence with the Father. Jesus angry cry was “stop turning my Fathers house into a market!” Stop turning prayer into a transaction. The Father wants us just to come regularly and be with him, just like a dad wants his little child to hang on the couch with him for a bit each day. Our prayers need to start there, just enjoying God, sitting in his love. And when after some time we do want to ask him about some things, knowing he isn’t grading our prayers like some essay or deciding how to answer them based on how good they are or if we deserve them. Learning to just be with the Father takes time, and for some of us we carry deep wounds about prayer and deep disappointments from past experiences. But relational healing does not happen with silence and distance – so come to the Father. Prayer is more about being than receiving, more about thanking than asking, more about love than transaction. So as an apprentice to Jesus, may we like the first disciples ask – teach me to pray.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Sanctified - say what?

1Peter 1:1-2  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

Sanctification – now that is a Big old word; one I as a kid heard a lot but never really understood. Maybe to be “sanctified” was to become like Mrs Watts, who was about 100 years old and attend our church at 88 Lockwood Road Burnside every Sunday and prayed a lot about sanctification. I thought it meant to become something like her and I didn’t want to really become like her. But the problem with big words is that they lose their very simple and transformative meaning by having too many letters – like supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.

According to Baker's Dictionary of Biblical Theology, the generic meaning of sanctification is "the state of proper functioning." To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer. A pen is "sanctified" when used to write. Eyeglasses are "sanctified" when used to improve sight. In the theological sense, things are sanctified when they are used for the purpose God intends. A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he or she lives according to God's design and purpose. When an item or object is used for a purpose other than which it was intended, then it is described as “profane” – another seemingly complicated word. But again, when we get to the meaning behind it, we understand it.

Profane - verb: to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt : to desecrate or cheapen. Many things including human beings are used for things they were never intended. Playdough was invented in the 1930s and was intended to be the best wallpaper cleaner around. This didn't happen, of course, and 20 years later the inventor's son remarketed the product for kindergartners. Now we can’t get it out of carpets and off walls! Playdough has been profaned! But even though outside of life with God, people cheapen or desecrate their humanity and others, this does not change their worth or value in God’s sight. A $100 note being used to wipe your butt is still a $100 note with the same value – it is just being profaned rather than sanctified.

So because you have been chosen by God through the work of Jesus and received freedom from “profanity” and death through the sprinkling of his blood (Old Testament image of sacrifice ritual when blood was sprinkled on people and items to cleanse them – only ever temporary), you can now live for the purpose we were created for by our creator God. You are “sanctified” by being returned to your proper state of functioning! Jesus says; I know you and love you and you have value and worth in my eyes – come apprentice to me and re-discover your life. No shame, no guilt, no pretending, no cultural Christian rubbish. Just you and me – born again, free to be.

So am I sanctified? Now that I understand it I can say I am; but it is an ongoing process thanks be to God. My prayer is that you are too.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Listening to the Shepherd

We are currently in a series looking at God, and specifically Jesus, as shepherd of us his sheep. In the time the Bible was written, shepherds had very close relationships with their sheep and they knew them by name and the sheep knew and would follow the voice of the shepherd. This ability of sheep to be trained in this way and to actually be led around by a shepherd without fences and in modern times even across busy roads with cars and traffic, shows that sheep are not stupid. Jesus says in John 10:3-4 that the sheep know his voice and will follow him.

John 10:3-4  The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.

Would you say that you know and listen to the “voice of Jesus” in your life, or do you feel that God is distant or silent or non-communicative? We need to be honest in this space, but also trust that it is possible to get to know the voice of God more clearly, and to trust that God actually wants to communicate to us and lead us through life. So if your desire is to hear the voice of Jesus more, then how can you help that to happen? If God is desiring to speak, how can we tune in and learn to hear his voice?

I think the answer to this question is both simple and complex all at the same time, much like any other human relationship you have with another person. If we think about God speaking more like we would approach our relationship with a person, then I believe we will find him more accessible and less distant. So practically, imagine having coffee with a friend. Firstly you have to show up, and this might mean making time for God, going to church, making time in your day to actually focus on him. Secondly you need to sharpen your listening and cut our other voices. If you are in a coffee shop where there is lots of noise, you need to look at and focus on the person across from you and tune out the person on the table next to you. So with God, we need to reduce the distractions, create some space and silence so we can hear his voice better. Turn off your phone, find a space conducive to connecting with God (garden, beach, lounge chair with a coffee or tea).

Before we meet with a friend we probably have been in communication with them, so reading God’s communication to us (the Bible) is also really important in hearing his voice because he has spoken in lots of ways already. God is not on “speed dial” or a hot line; we have to be willing to engage with what he has already communicated to us. As we get to know God through scripture, through being more intentional in making space for him, in tuning out other voices and distractions, then we begin to tune in to his voice more clearly. But this takes time and practice. Part of prayer is about coming in an attitude of listening, not just “worrying in God’s general direction” with a list, and then hurrying off and complaining God never speaks.

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would be our guide and would lead us into all truth, so as we do these practices, offer yourself and your ears to the voice of the Spirit and be expectant that God will begin to reveal his whisper and voice over time. Value “wasting time with God” and over a few weeks and months I believe you will notice a shift and be able to tune in more easily to the voice of the Shepherd of your soul.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Be with, become like, live like

There are different streams in the Christian faith tradition that at times are unhelpfully pitted against each other. For example the charismatic stream may be emphasized in one church whereas a social justice stream may be what is valued most in another church, and so it goes. These divisions are unhelpful when compared to each other, or valued over and against one another. Every healthy church should be charismatic (spirit led and empowered), Word focused (grounded in Scripture), justice oriented (care for the poor and the marginalized), contemplative and prayerful (creating space to be still and hear from God), holy (seeking to live lives that reflect God’s character), and incarnational in the presence of Christ through sacrament and daily living.

Similarly, there can be an emphasis on personal faith vs community gathering (church) or mission to the world around us. Again, when we put these against each other or value and uphold one above another, and judge people accordingly we miss the beauty of the whole. Having said that I think there is an order that can be helpful in keeping us on track which is unrelated to importance or hierarchy. Jesus call to us and the thrust of much of Paul’s letters to the early church is for us to be followers of Jesus such that by being with him, we become like him and then live like him. It is hard to become like someone if you never spend any time with them. Similarly without being with someone and becoming like them you can’t really live like them. This process of formation, or transformation, that Jesus calls us to as followers is one of humility and emptying ourselves.

The image we find helpful in the New Testament is that of metamorphosis, where by a caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly through the miracle of re-formation and transformation. As we spend time with Jesus with an openness and desire for the Holy Spirit to change us, we become more like him in our nature and character, and in doing so become more like the Father. As we become more like Jesus, it is much easier to live like him, freely and lightly, rather than following a bunch of rules or morals. If we try to live in Christian community without first being with and becoming like Jesus, we will find it hard to forgive, to serve, to have compassion and grace. Similarly if we try to do mission or work in the world without first being with and becoming like Jesus, then it can quickly become about our efforts and just doing good deeds.

But as we spend time with Jesus through prayer, solitude, scripture reading, fasting, reflection on nature, practicing gratitude; we will find it easier to love in community and to serve on mission. In fact as we are changed these things no longer become tasks to do in order to be a “good Christian”; rather they become our lived practice flowing out of our essence as people shaped into the image of our creator God – true image bearers. So if you are finding Christian community hard, or living out your faith difficult and discouraging; can I encourage you to step back and take a break and spend some regular time with Jesus each week. These practices done with openness are what it means to abide in the vine and allow the Holy Spirit to begin to do that transformation that we can’t do ourselves. In doing so we will learn to live into Jesus invitation to come away with him and learn to live freely and lightly. To learn the unforced rhythmus of grace.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Letting God Speak

You probably have been at events or parties where you find yourself in a conversation with a few people and it is hard to get a word in, so you don’t say much. I have certainly found myself sitting with people at times, wanting to say a bit more or be more involved in a conversation, but there is just no space to speak. Some would say you just have to jump in and “force” your way into the conversation. However, that is not my style and if you have to do that, the other person or persons obviously aren’t that interested in what you have to say anyway. We are not always good at listening and often prefer the sound of our own voice, or to be disseminating information rather than creating space for others to share.

People sometimes say they wish that God would speak to them or that they would be able to hear his voice more. I wonder if half the problem at times is that we don’t give the Spirit space to speak; God is like the person hanging around who gets ignored or is never asked what they think. There are different ways we can create more space for God to speak to us, including things like solitude and silence, engaging more in prayer and reflection, being in nature and focusing on his beauty and creativity. However, one of the primary ways God speaks to us is through his Word, or his story if you like in the Bible. Regularly reading God’s Word has been for me one of the primary ways that I have learned to hear God’s voice, and gain discernment and wisdom about how he wants me to live my life and follow him.

We are only a few days into our January reading of Matthew’s gospel, but I have already been struck by how God has “spoken” to me and reminded me of things by just engaging in listening/reading, and then asking the three simple questions. Where is God in this reading? What is God saying to me personally through this reading? How can I apply that in my life today? It seems that when we give God space and time, and a medium to speak, and we ask the right questions, then he actually has a bit to say. We can tune in to a deeper truth that helps us make sense of our world, and gives us wisdom and some practical things about God’s very real call on us as followers of Jesus. This practice can be helpful on your own, but there is also a real benefit in reading Scripture with another person and asking the same simple questions together. Recently I have begun catching up with two other guys once a week to read scripture for about half an hour after work, and asking those same simple questions together. I have been amazed how helpful it has been. Can I encourage you, if you would like to experiment with that, to find another person or two and just start this simple practice. God wants to be heard, and he has already spoken so much if we are willing to give him the time to listen.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Hidden and Revealed

God in the coming of Jesus, revealed something that people had been waiting for and longing for, for centuries. In the advent stories recorded in the gospels, some amazing events took place with angels appearing to people, miraculous births to old people and a virgin, a star appearing in the east leading sages to come find a king, two old people in the temple seeing the baby Messiah God had promised he would reveal. However, despite all these huge revelations and powerful events, a lot of the story was hidden and unseen. Much of it went by unnoticed by the vast majority of people, including those who should have been looking and known better – namely the religious leaders.

But it seems over history that this is often the way of God. He reveals himself in unexpected places, to unexpected people, and often on the margins to those whose hearts are right but who may not be highly regarded in society. Mary is chosen by God to carry his Son, but she is nothing special and comes from an out of the way country town way up in Galilee. In the coming of the long awaited Messiah who will change the world, there is a hiddenness in the way he arrives. Mary is young, insignificant in many ways. She lives a long way from the centre of power in Jerusalem. She is poor, which we know because they could only afford two young pigeons when Jesus is presented at the temple, as opposed to a lamb which more well off people were supposed to bring. Yet Gabriel visits her and says she is highly esteemed, and that she has been chosen by God to carry the long awaited Messiah.

The wise men had the revelation of the star and made a long journey in search of a great king based on what they had seen, even though they were foreigners. The religious leaders of Israel however, knew the answer about where the Messiah would be born, but didn’t even bother going the short distance with the wise men from Jerusalem to Bethlehem to see if actually what they were saying had merit. They knew better and of course God would not reveal something to foreigners that he hadn’t revealed to them! They were the religious leaders of the people after all. So it was hidden from them but revealed to those who had eyes to see and faith to follow.

The shepherds were also fairly humble folk, certainly not priests, and were out in the fields tending sheep when God chose to reveal to them the amazing news that the Christ child had been born. Like the wise men they responded and sought him out to worship him, but only a few of them saw the angels and received the message. It was an amazing revelation yet at the same time very hidden from the majority of people. As with all these things, it seems that is the way God works. On the margins, to the least, revealing himself to those whose hearts are open and responsive to him. God is still working around us in our world today, but in places that might be more hidden and not always seen by the majority of people. He reveals himself to those who are seeking, to those who are expecting, to those who are longing for his presence. This advent, can I encourage you to look for the presence and work of God in your life and around you in unexpected places. Take time to pause and seek to see where he is at work and what he is doing and what he might be trying to reveal to you. Ask for eyes to see his work and a heart that is open to the move of his Spirit afresh as we remember his coming – Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Joy to the world, the Lord will come!

Grace and Peace - Garry

Listen to my Words

Matthew 7:24  "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock”

In Greek and Hebrew, the words “listen” and “obey” have the same root word and could in many cases be used interchangeably. The sense when we read about “listening” to God in Scripture, is that if we don’t obey or put in to practice what we “hear”, then we actually haven’t heard in the first place. Jesus so often talked about having ears to hear such that the hearer would then re-order their life or their thinking. Jesus in the Gospel of John is presented as the Word, who was from the beginning, spoke the universe into being, and continued to speak creativity and life and power through his human voice while on earth. When we read the Bible, at times we lose that sense of this “Living” Word sitting behind and within the text. The words on the page are communication from someone living and dynamic, similar to us reading a letter from someone, with the knowledge of the person who sits behind the pen.

Eugene Peterson says that when we lose a sense of the “Living Being” and “Word” behind Scripture, the text itself is like a dried or desiccated object that is devoid of life and flavor and bursting juiciness.  Rather than nourishing us, it can suck the life out of our mouths so to speak and leave us more dehydrated than we started. Jesus is the living water and the life that sits within and behind the text. So as we read the Bible, we should approach it with ears to hear that living voice of Jesus. And with a heart attitude that comes open to be re-ordered based on the voice which will speak to us through the otherwise dry words on the pages. Paul writing to Timothy says that Scripture is “God breathed”, again giving us that sense of the Spirit or “wind”, or breath of God that is seeking, not to give us regulations and rules, but to communicate his essence and breath his life once again into his beloved dust.

I have been reading through the Bible once a year for the past 7 years, and this has been a really good discipline for me, and very helpful on many levels. Yet I must confess that as I lie in bed reading every night, I don’t always come with an expectation of encountering that Word of life, or with ears to hear and a desire to allow God to re-order my life and heart and thinking through his Word. But I am trying to do that more and to see the person behind the words as I would someone I know who has written a personal letter to me. In recent months when I have woken up early I have tried to get into the habit of not just lying in bed and thinking, but instead getting up to spend time in the psalms.  I grab a coffee, sit on the couch, and still my heart seeking to slowly read a psalm several times. In between readings, I seek to be open to God’s presence, to his voice, to his personhood and desire to communicate to me. However, this needs to be paired with a humility to hear and then to obey and allow him to re-order my thinking or day or attitudes. As I have practiced this, Andrea has commented and noted that on those days, something is different in my spirit and being. I feel it too, and that gives me encouragement to keep going and to know that this Word is alive and is able to change me if I am simply open to come and to be, and to hear.

So can I encourage you to enter this “Word”, to come to Scripture seeking to hear and encounter the one behind the words on the page. The Spirit who has spoken from the beginning, and continues to speak now, and desires to communicate to you such that we might draw near to him and order our lives around his life, which is living water and life to the full. This does not mean everything becomes easy, that our troubles disappear, that our difficult relationships instantly become easy. But it can change us and help us approach this things more lightly and freely in the Yoke of Jesus.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Consider the Lilies

Luke 12:27  "Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.

Spring is just around the corner, and the reason I know that with certainty is not because of the calendar, or phases of the moon. The reason I know for sure that spring is on its way is because of one thing that has interrupted my life in the last week – sneezing! I have always suffered from bad hay fever, and even had two years of treatment every month where I was injected with a concoction of pollen in small doses to try and desensitise my nose and body. I can remember being on a farm a few years ago down at Mt Gambier during hay making season. My hay fever was so bad I couldn’t even leave the house.

So this past week I had a day when my nose started to twitch, and I began to sneeze and I knew immediately there was pollen in the air. My body is so finely attuned to it. Once I registered the change, I then began to notice all the beautiful blossom that has boldly sprouted forth, even in the face of ongoing cold and rain. The beautiful whites and pinks of the ornamental plum and pear trees that line the streets on my drive in to work each day. And so I have been “considering the flowers of the field” and thinking about their beauty and what they can teach me.

Most flowers are delicate and soft, emerging for just a few short days, bringing us joy, beauty, and hope for the summer to come. But they are incredibly fragile as well, and within a week their soft petals will be strewn across the road and in the gutter, turning into brown slush – humus. But Jesus tells us there is much to learn from humble flowers. Why put so much effort into such beauty, which lasts such a short time? On a practical level, we can just write it off as the need to attract bees for pollination so the plant can reproduce. However, I think there is more to it than that. God, the divine artist, has woven incredible beauty into something that could be more practical. Partly I think so that we could appreciate it; that we could find joy and hope coming out of our dark winters. And partly to show that God is so infinitely good and creative as he clothes the flowers.

Jesus says that despite their short life and inevitable return to the dust, these flowers are more beautiful and amazing than the richest greatest king who ever lived, and all the gold and treasures he possessed. He too and all his “stuff” would return to the dust or be taken away by others. However, Jesus in stopping on the side of the road and pointing out the flowers to the disciples is a reminder that God is good, that we can put our trust in him, that we worry about far too much. If that is the care he gives to flowers, then we can trust that he also cares for us, and that even in our dark seasons of life there is hope that beauty and new life can, and will emerge.

This week as you drive around or look at your garden, take time to notice the flowers. If your nose starts to fizz and you sneeze, then remember the flowers and consider the love and care and goodness of God, not just to them but also to you whatever circumstance you find yourself in. And as you notice the flowers, remember that God loves you and delights in you and will always be with you. He is good and he calls us to surrender our worries and cares to him and take time to reflect and notice his presence, and to find hope in his resurrection life.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Preventing Drift

Anyone who has owned a boat will know that securing the mooring line is one of the most important tasks to avoid an expensive disaster. A boat that becomes untethered to its mooring will drift immediately. The result will be either an expensive collision with another boat or wharf, being washed ashore and damaged, or drifting out to sea and being lost altogether. As we begin a new series looking at the return of the exiles in Ezra-Nehemiah, the metaphor of drift becomes abundantly clear and important in a spiritual sense.

The story of the returning exiles, and our story so often if we are honest, is that we have a natural tendency to drift from God if we don’t intentionally keep ourselves tethered to him. For the returning exiles there were high expectations of building the temple, re-establishing the covenant, and living again as the people of God in the land he had given them, but subsequently thrust them from some 70 years earlier for their rebellion. Yet as we read the story, which covers about 105 years, we find that once again the people drift so easily from God. They start abusing the poor, marrying foreign women which leads them into idolatry, neglecting the worship and building of the temple, and exploiting and enslaving their own people.

I’m sure they didn’t intend to do any of these things when they set out from Babylon with high hopes of returning home to their land and to the free worship of God again as his beloved people. But it happened; they drifted, and drifted badly. They became disconnected from God and their relationship with him, to the distress of both Ezra and Nehemiah who were seeking to keep them faithful to God and his covenant. It is easy for us to look from afar with a judgmental eye and tut-tut about how we would not have done that. But I am not so sure. I think if we are honest we all have a tendency to drift, and that is part of the human condition and the shadow side of free will.

But there are things that, like a mooring line, can keep us connected to God and stop us drifting and coming to grief, or causing damage to others or the world around us. These things are simple in themselves, yet so easily are viewed as legalistic or a “to do list” to be a “good Christian”. Rather we should see them as life saving graces that help us keep our souls intact, and our relationships healthy with God and each other. They are sometimes called “Spiritual disciplines” and for good reason, because if we are not disciplined in them they just won’t happen – and we will drift. They include the simple steps of daily Bible engagement, daily honest prayer with God, regular time out to be still in God’s presence, preferencing God in all aspects of our life, and being in community with others who can help encourage us in our spiritual journey. Of course there are others, however, these basic activities carried out with an open heart to God will keep us tethered to him and prevent us from drifting. In reality they are no different to the ways we need to keep connected to another human being, be that spouse, parent, friend or sibling. Without regular connection, we drift relationally. These are not rules – they are the lifeline of our souls, and we disregard them at our peril. Jesus himself practiced them regularly and we would do well to walk in his footsteps.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Reading and Praying the Psalms

We are currently sitting in a short series looking at a few of the Psalms; reflecting on God’s character and attributes revealed in them as the Psalmists converse in prayer and praise. The Psalms are a great place for anyone wanting to learn how to pray; how to approach God honestly at any stage of life, be that joy, anger, frustration, hope, or discouragement. Sometimes we don’t know how to pray or how to approach God, and so we just don’t. But when we read the Psalms we are reminded that there is no “right way” to pray. God just wants us to come to him as we are. Come as you can, not as you can’t. Pray as you can, not as you can’t.

There are few airs and graces in many of the Psalms, and David and the other writers don’t hold back from their feelings, their experiences, their doubts, their wishes that their enemies would be smashed. I find that honesty so encouraging as I read them; they are so relatable and human in their struggles just like me. They had great highs and also very deep lows; yet they were still able to declare Gods faithfulness, and praise him for his love and compassion. If you are familiar with them, you may have a few favorites as I do that you go back to from time to time for strength and encouragement. Personally, I love Psalm 1, 84, 91 and 139 just to name a few.

If you have never tried the exercise, I would encourage you to go and find a quiet place one day for an hour and try to write your own Psalm. Essentially, it is just a conversation with God; an honest opening of your heart, thoughts, questions, reflections on God, or remembering perhaps what he has done for you or us as believers. It doesn’t have to have a special style or cover any particular points; rather it is just a heart to heart as you would with a dear friend or trusted loved one. Eugene Peterson in talking about the Psalms and prayer says: “Prayers are tools not for doing or getting, but for being and becoming.” So often we end up turning our prayers in something to “do”, or as a means to get an outcome or solve a problem. But actually, they should be ways for us to learn to “be”, to become our true selves, to know who God really is, to allow the process of prayer and honest conversation to shape us more into the character and nature of God – Father, Son and Spirit.

Jesus was intimately familiar with the Psalms and he quoted them often – including the ones that spoke prophetically about him. He would have memorized many of them and even on the cross he quotes from Psalm 22 as he is suffering. Jesus also took time out regularly to go to solitary places and pray, and I am sure he meditated on scripture in those times and especially the Psalms. So can I encourage you to enter afresh in to the prayers of the Scriptures; not with any agenda other than to connect with God and grow deeper in you conversation and honesty in prayer and presence. Just be and allow the words to shape you as you soak in the prayers of those who have gone before. May their honesty and truth teach us that we are to come as we can, not as we can’t. To pray as we can and not as we can’t.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Seasons and Change

This week I was taking some time out to do some praying and being still in the botanic gardens. I sat under the massive plane trees and watched the autumn leaves floating down in a continuous procession. No matter how hard they try to cling on, greater forces dictate that they will fall. The position of the earth around the sun is something the leaves have no control over, yet it impacts their very existence and future. They will fall no matter how hard they try to cling on. It got me thinking about seasons and change in our lives. Sometimes we see change coming, at other times change is instant and unexpected; a bit like being hit in the head with a baseball while smelling a rose. Things like accidents, cancer diagnoses, redundancy – all catch us off guard and we have no power over them. The process of aging as well means we will go through seasons whether we like it or not; some will be rewarding while others mean loss and grief.

Yet as I watched the leaves fall, I noticed occasionally the wind would blow through in a big arc, catching and lifting all the leaves on the ground in a unified dance. I could tell where the wind wave was, and where it was moving by watching the dance of the leaves. I was reminded that even in the midst of changes and season, the Spirit still blows where it wills and God is still at work in seen and unseen ways. God allows change and created seasons, yet he is also outside of, and more constant than the seasons we go through. Sometimes we try to fight change, sometimes we discern the seasons we are in while at other times we remain in denial. There are seasons for us personally, but also for our families, in our church, and in our wider communities. In Scripture we find many verses that speak of seasons and change. These are but a few of those.

Acts 1:6-8  So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them: "It is not for you to know the seasons or times the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Luke 21:25-28  "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."

Daniel 2:20-22  and said: "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.

Galatians 6:8-10  The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Whatever season you are in, no matter whether you are feeling in a place of growth or dormancy, know and draw hope from the fact that God allows seasons. Even in seasons of loss we are not alone, his Spirit is with us and we are encouraged to continue doing good in the unique places we find ourselves individually, and as a community of faith. What season are you in at present? What season are we in as a church? Can you discern God’s presence and grace with you? Do you feel able to talk to Jesus about your season and what the future holds? This week as you notice the colours of Autumn, allow them to be an opportunity to commune with God about the season of life you are in.

Grace and Peace - Garry

The Discipline of Celebration

I’m not sure what your first reaction is when you hear the words “spiritual disciplines”? Maybe you feel immediately something negative, something you have to do; a chore or practice that you know might be good for you but you actually hate. Something like jogging or not eating chocolate in Lent. But I want to emphasize the joy of the disciplines, and one in particular. There are many spiritual disciplines that we are called to practice and which help shape our lives, and hopefully transform us internally. Richard Foster in his book “Celebration of Discipline” share 12 disciplines, yet the one he says undergirds the others is the discipline of celebration itself. Foster says: ‘Without a joyful spirit of festivity the Disciplines become dull, death-breathing tools in the hands of modern Pharisees.’

The Christian church, particularly in the West does not do celebration well. I’m not talking about hyped up Pentecostal worship services; we have those in spades. I’m talking about a deeper celebration that envelops all of life and particularly bubbles up in the marking of seasons and events in life where God’s goodness and the joy of relationship is front and centre. Yet even in these moments we tend to be reserved and measured rather than allowing unbridled joy to overflow. Many other faiths party much better and more authentically than Christians do. Events like the celebration of the end of Ramadan, the festivals in South America celebrating the day of the dead, and many others are times of music and feasting and festivity which are probably more in line with the festivals the Israelites celebrated in the Old Testament. Western Christians have forgotten how to party, or maybe have forgotten that Jesus loved a good party and even supplied the wine – and really good wine at that! Jesus likened the kingdom of God to feasting, weddings and parties; and he regularly celebrated with people from all backgrounds, especially those on the fringe who were regarded as unclean by the religious leaders.

As we approach Easter this year I was reminded that this is the greatest source of joy and festivity for us both individually and communally. Yet most years we just don’t celebrate and party like we should. If Jesus has conquered death once and for all, and our sins are washed away, and we have life eternal with him - then we should kick off our shoes, dance, and get a bit joyous! In some traditions, Easter tide is a season of celebration and partying that last for seven weeks, with many families in different places holding parties and dinners and dancing every weekend for seven weeks in response to Jesus resurrection. Once we pass through the sorrow of Good Friday and the silence of Easter Saturday; the culmination of this festival is the celebration of resurrection Sunday! In the churches I grew up in we might sing a few songs and maybe declare “Christ is risen – he is risen indeed”; but we don’t party like we should. So this Easter at Parkside we are going to try and lift the mood a little and kick back on Easter Sunday morning with a bit more of a celebration. It might take us out of our comfort zone, but that is why it is included in the disciplines. If we can’t party and celebrate like we actually believe this is the best news ever, then maybe we actually haven’t entered Easter and Easter Sunday at all. Kids love a party, they love party games, they love to dress up, and they love to dance. Jesus said that unless we become like a child then we will never really grasp or fully enter the kingdom of heaven. So prepare to celebrate this Easter maybe a little more freely, and let yourself get caught in the joy of resurrection.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Holy Humus

Over recent months I have been thinking a lot about humility, Jesus saying that he is "humble in heart" and what that means, as well as his teaching on the sermon on the mount. It seems the way of the Kingdom is down and Jesus tells us that we are called to serve not be served. To be humble, and in that humility find rest for our souls. Humility and human come from the same Latin word - "humus". Humus is soil, rich soil, the kind of soil out of which good things grow. Tied in with this is that fact that Adam was made from earth and the name "Adam" means earth. Yet Jesus the "second Adam" emptied himself and humbled himself in taking on  human form. On my recent retreat I wrote a poem called "Holy Humus" which tries to capture some of this aspect of Jesus and his call on us to live with true humility, not false humility.

Holy Humus

To be born is to be human, when from the womb we’re thrust

Fully formed matter, made of earth and dust

When young, so beautiful and perfect

When old the scent of must

Each person sacred earth, shaped by the potter’s hand

With occasional deviations, from the genetic plan

Yet each body holds a soul, a sacred spirit life

Unique, of equal value – a jewel of greatest price

Being human is being humus, soil rich and deep

But our culture sells us trinkets, soil is so drab and cheap

Yet this humus, seen as “dirty” – something to be washed away

Is the place of the divine made holy, as WORD is wrapped in clay

We love the fruits of summer, as sweet juices down chins flow

But these fruits we take for granted, come from the soil below

Externally for all to see we put our best on show, to win a “first place” ticket and accolades bestow

To show to one and all, we have great worth and value

When inside we know the truth, our broken souls are very fragile

The WORD, the life, came humbly - and took this humus form

Emptied himself to show us worth, to bear our shame and scorn

This second “Adam” this holy dust, who knew pain – hunger, and thirst

To reveal the upside down work of God, and to the lowliest give worth

This WORD showed his beloved dust, by flipping things around

The way to peace and value is not up, but deeper down

Anything external, the fruits of true humility

Only come from deeper roots, the hidden sets us free

From the need to be great, to have the highest place

To foot washing surrender, see in the other – Jesus face

The Gift of Presence

The Gift of Presence

This advent we want to celebrate the gift of “presence” as opposed to the gift of “presents”. More than a physical gift; the gift of someone’s presence in our lives, or in a difficult situation, or significant celebration, or event is often far more meaningful. We want to unpack more deeply the gift of God’s presence coming in the person of Jesus and what that looked like in his ministry. We are going to look at God’s coming among us, what it meant for broken and hurting people, and how we are called to be God’s presence in the way we live individually and as a church. These aspects will mostly be drawn from the Gospel of John.

John Chapter 1 – God’s presence with us

In the beginning was the Word. God has always “been” and Jesus the Word was with the Father in the beginning. The Word was the light of men and this light was promised to come into the world (Isaiah 9:1-7). The Light of the world, the Word himself became flesh and “moved into the neighborhood” – he made his home, his “presence” with us. God has graced humanity with his presence; a move that started with him descending on the tabernacle, moving into the holy of holies in the temple, and now coming literally in flesh and blood.

John Chapter 4 – God’s presence to the marginalised

Jesus deliberately goes out of his way to visit a Samaritan village much to the disgust of his disciples. Why was his presence so significant and what message was Jesus signaling in doing this? But it gets even more interesting when Jesus engages in conversation with a woman at a well, and more than that, a woman with a reputation as a family wrecker and of poor morals and judgement. Not the person the Son of God should be meeting with. Yet Jesus presence and conversation tell us some very important things about God. God seeks out and values and loves the social outcast and people of disrepute. He values women in a society when they were second class, especially a woman like this. He identifies her deep need for love and identity and offers her hope and living water in him.

John Chapter 11 – When God’s presence feels absent

Jesus knows that Lazarus is sick and dying, yet he deliberately withholds his presence from these dear friends who so desperately want him to be there to heal and to comfort and restore. Jesus knows they need him and want him, and he loves them, yet he withholds his presence? Why? Can you imagine if you are Martha and Mary how disappointed you would be that Jesus didn’t come in your greatest hour of need when he could have? Sometimes in our lives when we are most desperate for God’s presence in our greatest need, it feels like he is absent or not there. What is that like?

John Chapter 13 – The presence of service

Jesus washes his disciple’s feet – the ultimate act of “presence” and service and humility by the creator God to his beloved dust. Having washed people’s feet on different occasions, it is an interaction that requires you to be very personal and very “present” to the other. If done properly (unlike a quick splash of water), it takes time, is very intimate, puts the washer in a position of service and “lower than” the other. Jesus in this act is being “present” to his disciples in a more intimate and significant way than he ever has before.

John Chapter 14:15-21; Matthew 28; Acts 2 – We are God’s presence in the world

Jesus promised before he died that he would send the Holy Spirit so that we would not be left as orphans without his “presence” in the world. After Jesus resurrection he sent the promised Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts. God’s presence has not only left the temple and appeared in the person of Jesus, but now is present in every follower of Jesus in the form of the Holy Spirit. Tongues of fire came down and filled them all – we are now the “gift of God’s presence” in the world.

This Advent, how will you receive God’s presence and how will you “be” God’s presence?

Living in Right Relationship

It seems to me that in recent times, our world and the church have become more fragmented than ever. Partly driven by fear, partly by social media, partly by our own human nature to put ourselves first both in terms of our practice but also our theology. I think as this dislocation and fragmentation continue, it is more imperative than ever that we think deeply about what it means to follow Jesus as disciples in obedience to his calling and example as God in the flesh. In my devotion this week I came across and apt verse in Titus that I think we would do well to practice and take to heart.

Titus 3:1  Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

Paul’s words serve us well in this Covid season, and more broadly as the world and our culture becomes more tribal and people follow influencers and charismatic folk who have a platform that exploits the fear, and the media, and our own human nature to think we are right. Scripture and Jesus himself says we should work for the good of our communities and pray for, and be obedient to those in authority over us as a witness to the gospel. Yes, there are times when following Jesus will rub against government, but in general those are not the norm and our response should always be in line with Jesus humility and service and grace. In our lives and the church, Paul here says that we are to slander no-one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to be gentle to EVERYONE! I must confess I don’t see that happening a lot, and I also personally struggle to act like that in some situations. But I believe we should, and I believe Jesus modelled this in his ministry; particularly in some of his greatest teaching in the sermon on the mount. Jesus says that this is how the world will know we are his disciples – if we love one another. If we want to know what love looks like then read 1 Corinthians 13 – a passage not for weddings, but for conflict.

Recently our church leadership had an hour and a half input from Tim Dyer, who lives in Tasmania, and teaches about managing conflict and difference in churches. Conflict is often seen as a negative thing, but it is normal in the sense that we always have differing (conflicting) views about all sorts of things. This is actually a good thing, but how we handle and share and manage those differences determines if we are true Jesus followers or not. We have been working in recent weeks across all levels of church leadership at Parkside to increase our “conflict competency”, and this verse in Titus is a great starting point for that. Normally when differences arise and our emotions are engaged we quickly escalate to bad behavior which then leads to an erosion of trust and relational breakdown. However, if we can covenant to love well, and listen well, and value our differences, then “conflicting” views can actually be a really healthy part of our church and community. The covenant commitments we have adopted at council and eldership and staff level can be found in this edition of Signpost. Can I encourage you to read them and reflect on them personally as part of the body of Christ at Parkside. This is how they will know that we are Jesus followers; that we love one another.

Grace and Peace - Garry

What can you bring?

What can you bring?

Mark 6:34-41 (NIV)  When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things. By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. "This is a remote place," they said, "and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat." But he answered, "You give them something to eat." They said to him, "That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give it to them to eat?" "How many loaves do you have?" he asked. "Go and see." When they found out, they said, "Five—and two fish." Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all.

Imagine this story playing out in the context of a 21st century church. A need arises and it is immediate; people need feeding and organizing, and Jesus (God) has compassion on them. So Jesus turns to his disciples (church) and says: this situation needs some help so can you do something about it? But James replies, “well I’m not rostered on for dinner provision this week so talk to Thomas”. Thomas when approached says: “I was rostered on but I was busy today so I swapped with Thaddeus so talk to him”. Thaddeus is feeling overwhelmed and is already on welcoming and crowd control (covid marshal) and gets flustered and upset when word gets to him that Jesus wants him to feed 5000 people at short notice. A massive argument erupts and people blame others and threaten to leave the community because no-one else is doing their job and this wasn’t what they signed up for and someone else should have ensured this chaos didn’t happen. Who has dropped the ball, because they need to pay or at least be publicly outed! Meanwhile Jesus calmly points out the need and again asks who can help in any way.

This story has been preached on and dissected countless times and it can be hard to approach it fresh again. However, for us at PBC where we are all busy and many of us are “rostered” on or expect others to be ensuring things happen, it is a timely reminder. As part of a community and church, Jesus calls us to be participants in his kingdom, which yes is massive and impossible and overwhelming. But if we step back from our initial recoil to his request for help, doesn’t mean building a bakery in half an hour and making dinner for thousands of people at the drop of a hat. What he is actually asking is “what can you bring that I can use to minister to this need that will be a blessing?” Jesus never called people to become “consumers” of the kingdom, and the church in this context is the disciples not the crowd. The crowd were the consumers, but the disciples were invited to be participants.

Jesus simple question to us individually and as a church is: what do you have that you are willing to give to bless others today? I have loved in recent weeks at Parkside witnessing people jumping in to help fill a need without a roster or an invitation. Whether it has been helping set up tables for morning tea or serving in the kitchen or packing up/setting up, or giving time to another after the service. Just turning up is a blessing to the community. But turning up with a desire and willingness to bless others in any way you can is what being part of the body of Christ is all about. If we approach our faith and church as consumers, it will never satisfy us and we have not fully understood Jesus call to “follow me”. In this liminal season of uncertainty, let’s look at what we can bring and offer it to God each and every day for him to use to bless others; either at church or in our work place or wherever we find ourselves. Rather than look at a need and giving up or getting frustrated, just look at what you can offer and use it to bless another. May we function more and more as the body of Crist and less like Amazon or Google.

Grace and Peace - Garry

Stewarding

As part of our series on “Eternal Hope”, Paul Cooper preached on the role given to us by God to care for and “steward” the earth and creation. Rather than exploit it or abuse it for our own selfish purposes, we are to use the minerals and resources sustainably and for the good of the world and creation itself. The problem of course is our tendency toward greed, hoarding, and comfortability at the cost of others and creation. The post-industrial Western world at its extreme tends to assign values to everything and everyone. People themselves become commodities that have a “value” for the company and who are discarded when they are no longer useful or productive. Time itself has a value put on it and the idea of Sabbath is easily replaced by endless work and production. Chickens and pigs are farmed in cruel ways that are a total abuse of the animal created by God for us to care for. But although these are human tendencies, I don’t believe they are truly the human heart. All of us are created in the image of God, and the heart and essence of God is love and relationship. This is where the heart and nature of Godly stewardship comes from; where it is fueled and sustained in a way that is not legalistic but rather relational.

God is love and he loves humanity in an illogical and excessive way; so much so that he was willing to come and die and take on death himself to free us from our bondage to sin and decay. The cost was extremely high for God when he could have just started again and wiped the slate clean so to speak. But he didn’t because he loves us and values us as his beloved children. We get a bit of a glimpse into this high cost kind of irrational love when we reflect on how people treat their pets and plants at times. When we care for an animal or a plant that we love, we will go to great lengths and spend ridiculous amounts of money in trying to look after it; way more than the value of the animal or bird that the rest of the world would put on it. People spend hundreds of dollars on things like guinea pigs when you can just go and buy a new one at the shop for $10! Why do we do that? Because it belongs to us and we love it – we have a relationship with it and that “worth” cannot be measured simply in dollars and logic.

Similarly, as people created and loved by God, we are called by God to care for and love his creation and the wider world. To steward the world in which we live so that animals and plants and people can thrive and flourish and live well. Why? Because they have value and worth in the sight of God; our role is not to dominate and rule (exploit) the world, but to care for it and be relational in it rather than always “transactional”. Rather than just asking what is good for me, we should ask what is good for the other in the way we approach our work, our time, our use of resources, the way we build and develop our cities and communities. Perhaps take a few minutes this week to sit quietly somewhere and reflect on how you do with stewarding across your life and relationships (both with people but also wider creation). Would the sum of your life and interaction be greater for the flourishing of others and creation, or more of taking and using? Would the use of your time and your approach to rhythms of Sabbath and rest with work be a good model of stewardship or slavery? How would your personal time and the resources (yourself, not just money) you give to God each week be viewed in terms of love and relational stewarding? God has given us a mandate to steward rather than pillage so that all may flourish and his kingdom be at work through us “on earth as it is in heaven”. Let’s wrestle with this in the light and love of Christ who gave himself up for us, but not only for us – also for the whole of creation that it may be renewed in the power of his resurrection life.

Grace and Peace - Garry