Have you ever read a book and really loved it? Have you then dreaded the news that a film is being made of that book – can it live up to how you imagained the characters would be in your head when presented on the big screen? As Jesus came home and read in the synagogue from Isaiah, how would those who knew him from childhood react – as the character they’d read so often from their scriptures was not the king they likely imagined!
Blind from birth; never to see a sunrise, a smile. He was a life waiting to be born: today, he became a new creation – a living testimony to Jesus healing work. Yet those around were unable to see him – as if they did, they would have to confront their own blindness.
It’s a strange, even bizarre idea that Jesus shares: that by his leaving his followers will actually be to their advantage. What advantage can there be in loneliness and sadness? But would we recognise the promise that what is to come is greater: the spirit? But more importantly – are we open to what accepting the Spirit means to our lives?
World mental health day occurred on October 10th and is an opportunity for us to recognise the importance of our own mental health and the mental wellbeing of others too. Rachel talks to us about how our talking about our mental health matters – as it’s only through sharing with each other and with Christ can we receive relief and value for ourselves.
Some 795 million people – one in nine of all people on the planet – do not have enough food to live a healthy life: but of the haves vs have nots, one percent of the worlds population account for over half the worldy wealth. There’s a huge divide between human beings in a world God intended to be equal: do we choose not to notice the boundary of rich and poor?
God’s gifts to us and the flourishing of God’s creation are clear. The world is God’s perfect gift to us; all we have is God’s gift to us and is the foundation of our worship. But; we are threatening the balance of our world through exceeding balances through our greed and overuse – and through our actions, we are making many of God’s creatures extinct.
God knows us, loves us and cares for us. Indeed, Jesus primary commandment; love one another – for we are each talented, unique and loved by God. All of us are different, and we are each differently abled; do we realise the challenge and barriers those around us may experience – and where we do, are we seeing where people fail: instead of embrace their unique strengths?
Everyone is hungry – we’re all looking for bread; however, the problem isn’t that we’re hungry – the problem is with the type of bread we eat. Are we eating the bread of loneliness, regret, selfishness – or accepting the living bread that is Jesus – offering himself in all of our relationships?
The lost sheep; we’re all familiar with the story – but do you believe it? Do you doubt with a nagging internal monologue stating “I’m not good enough” that Jesus won’t find you worthy, over that of friends or family? Or on the other side of the story – if we feel we’re doing everything right, why should the lost who comes back through Jesus take priority over us?
Have you said “yes” before reading the small print first? There’s a cost, to discipleship – and Jesus warns us of this. Are we sometimes guilty of portraying the Christian faith as simple, not requiring full commitment? Of course we want to be welcoming …but are we guilty of making it seem too easy?
