It is often said that some people see things half full whilst others see things half empty. My limited experience tells me that many people’s ‘world view’ is often formed by the values that they were, or were not, given when they were growing up, as well as the experiences they have had, whether positive or negative, on the ‘journey of life’.
From my Christian ‘world view’, established by what I understand from the ‘Inspired Book’ the Bible and my spiritual experience, is the ‘revelation’ that life is messy. There is no such thing as a perfect person or perfect family, either in the church community or outside it.
There is, however, the reality of faithful people. Their ‘yes is yes’ and their ‘no is no’ – they can be relied upon to deliver what they say. This is built on integrity and character, born out of a strong conviction of whatsoever or whosoever they ‘trust in, cling too and rely on’ as the faith in their ‘world view’. Once again, these are people who can be found both in and outside the faith community.
These faithful people also live in the same ‘messy’ life that we all do…
The Long Road to Freedom, the film about Nelson Mandela, affirmed a few truths about Mandela’s ‘world view’, one being that his family life was ‘weakened’ by his conviction that he was to ‘father’ the ANC at a great cost to his personal life. He was prepared to become a martyr if necessary to see Apartheid dismantled, but it cost him dearly in terms of his family life. He also embraced the reality of forgiveness which disarmed the tensions between blacks and whites in South Africa in the early 1990’s. This then led to a peaceful transition into democracy and the establishment of the Truth and Reconciliation’ process championed by Bishop Desmond Tutu. Without a doubt, Nelson Mandela’s life was messy, but he was faithful to his convictions.
Leaders are people, too. For a Christian, praying for those who lead us, whether in the church or civic life, is a requirement of our faith. I’m certain that Christians all over the world were praying for South Africa, and that should encourage all of us who have a faith to pray for those who have the unenviable role of leadership and governance – including our own civic leaders who are responsible for Plymouth.
During the Queen’s speech this year, I was struck by Her Majesty’s message, to reflect and meditate on the deeper issues of life. This was obviously focused on the spiritual realities of faith. Pray for the Queen because she is a great ‘influence for good’ in a very messy world. All our leaders are human and have, I’m sure, messy lives.
Bearing in mind that we’re all imperfect and live in a messy world, in the face of all the opportunities and challenges that 2014 will bring, let us encourage each other not to be too cynical. There is just as much to be thankful for as there is to moan about. Once again it comes back to one’s ‘world view’ – none of this process is perfect. Give a thought especially to the men and women who with good heart endeavour to bring spiritual support to those in their care, and who are often themselves misunderstood and overlooked.
When scripture encourages us to “be perfect, therefore, as our Father in heaven is perfect” it is pointing to the ‘spiritual principle’ that our Father in heaven (who is Love Personified) is perfect and that in His Love, through Jesus Christ, we can be perfected in that love which is the purpose of our spiritual life on earth.
“For God so loved the world that he sent His Son, Jesus Christ, so that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) would not perish, but will have everlasting life.” As we have said before on Cross Rhythms: Jesus came to die, to set us free from the power of evil. When Jesus submitted to the crucifixion and was raised from the dead through the power of His Holy Spirit, He broke the power of evil in the lives of those who put their trust in Him. Slowly, but surely the purposes of God are advancing through the ages to the point when Jesus will return again to the ‘Mount of Olives’ just outside the walls of Jerusalem.
The power of destruction in our lives can be broken and our souls healed by the Love of God. The (right understanding) of ‘the fear (proper respect and submission) of the Lord being the beginning of wisdom‘ is probably what the Queen was alluding to in her speech. She has needed that wisdom for decades. So do we all.