Living in a Broad Space

In reading Psalm 31 this morning, looking for some encouragement at the beginning of another busy challenging week, I really appreciated seeing there that God, having delivered me from some of the darker parts of the journey of life, has "set my feet in a broad place". This suggests to me that I have been given plenty of space in which to experience freedom, grow, experiment, relate to others, learn, and understand God's multifaceted grace. I'll try to make the most of this!

Avoiding Revenge

Revenge is something we so easily desire. We have this offended sense of justice that suggests the balance has to be righted. If someone hurts us we have to hurt them back! If someone gets the better of us at work, we have to find a way to get back at them! If someone bombs our country, we have to bomb theirs back!

However, revenge does not even the score, it just doubles the tragedy!!

We have the right to defend ourselves – our physical well-being and our spiritual integrity. We should stand against evil and injustice in all its forms, and show no toleration for the physical and mental abuse of our neighbours. The community of which we are a part can protect itself through just laws and effective policing against inappropriate behaviour and destructive violence. Our country has the right to defend itself against unwarranted aggression.

However, this does not mean that we can be striking out with a demeaning desire to get even, or to punish, or to conquer others. This only brings heartache for all parties; and also causes intense grief to God. The Oxford Dictionary defines “revenge” as:
• a vindictive feeling (a feeling going beyond gaining compensation for loss),
• seeking to satisfy oneself with retaliation (this is to dwell in the lowest expression of human nature – to nurture the need to get back at others before being able to feel satisfied with oneself; the complete opposite of this is expressed in Psalm 17 verse 15),
• seeking to exact retribution (beyond what would be considered proportionate to the crime endured).

The Old Testament’s “eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth” (Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20) has often been utilised in supporting revengeful acts. This fails to recognise that this principle was actually brought in as a moral reform – to regulate against disproportionate acts of punishment (completely over-the-top responses to certain crimes). Rather than two or more eyes being demanded to address the loss of one eye, or a life being demanded for quite a minor misdemeanour, any punishment should fairly relate to the gravity of a crime. This principle sought to limit reprisal, critique the escalation of violence, and eradicate senseless vendettas.

[Rev Colin Chapman was until 2003 Lecturer in Islamic Studies at the Near East School of Theology, Beirut, Lebanon, and now lives in semi-retirement near Cambridge. He possibly echoed the thoughts of many when he recently wrote these words > “No one disputes Israel's right to defend itself against attack. What is much more questionable, however, is whether Israel has a right to punish and
destroy a whole country in order to defend itself against attacks launched by one group within that country. Localised attacks on missile sites inside the Lebanese border might have been regarded as legitimate and proportionate. But devastating attacks on the international airport, fuel tanks, power stations, bridges and roads all over the country - and even on the new lighthouse on Beirut's sea-front - is increasingly being regarded as totally disproportionate.”]

Then in the hands of Jesus, and this is to whom we refer as Christians, there are further qualifications to this “eye for an eye” principle, which seem quite radical
and dangerous (Matthew 5:38-42). Such teaching as this might even dissuade some from following Jesus. [This may dissuade others from wholly accepting the relevance of all Jesus’ teaching – if he could say something as unhelpful as this.]

What was Jesus getting at?

If someone who was a right-hander, struck another on the right cheek, this would have to be done back-handed, which in the culture of the day was a huge insult. Jesus is suggesting that if you experience insulting behaviour towards yourself, don’t strike back with vicious words or violent actions – don’t allow your integrity to be compromised in this way. We will not depreciate ourselves to this level of behaviour! Our status is secure within our relationship with God, and no human insult can dent this. The only opinion that really counts is God’s opinion of us. Instead of lashing back at the offender, we show ourselves afresh to be a vulnerable and open disciple of Jesus, unrelenting in our concern for others (ie. ‘turning the other cheek’). As Paul said to the 1st century church in Rome, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good”! If we are criminally offended against, then the recriminations will be a matter for the legal processes of our society to sort out, rather than being any distraction for us in our mission to the world.

[Jesus goes on to make reference to those who want to take our coat and beg other goods out of us, suggesting that we should not hold our possessions with such importance, that this gets in the way of our Christian witness or our generous response to those in need. Those who can tend to make life hard for us, say our boss at work, or our teacher at school, those who seem to want to push us further than is fair, can still be responded to in a way that causes them to positively reflect on our good character. Also, one can seek to excel even if the task given to us seemed to be an unfair infringement of our rights. Toughing out the first mile might just lead to some interesting outcomes during the second mile!]

Sometimes we just have to admit that it’s not all about us!

Followers of Jesus should facilitate expressions of utter amazement at the way we respond to personal attacks or unjust actions. Offering forgiveness to someone who has offended against us, can be an immensely powerful dynamic for good!

Returning to the Hebrew Scriptures, I think that Psalm 17 has a lot to say about the sort of attitudes that would help overwhelm some of the tendencies that well up within us desiring revenge. If we want to escape the trap of revenge, and fill our hearts and minds with a more productive and beneficial outlook, we can derive much help from this Psalm!

There is certainly a contrast in this psalm – between the innocent servant of God, and the destructive oppressor who haunts him. Whereas none of us is fully innocent (certainly David wasn’t), we can still be viewed this way as we commit ourselves to God, follow His ways, and seek forgiveness when we fall short. In the big picture of life, with massive evil encircling us, we have the opportunity of joining the psalmist in saying > "My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped." (v.5)

We can call upon God from this place of innocence and integrity and seek His protection, guidance and help.

1. Knowing God’s Presence

Through verse 1, we can know God is ready to hear our frustrations – we don’t have to suffer the bad treatment of others alone. God knows our innocence and truthfulness, and is a friend to those who are unjustly treated. We should seek God as our refuge in those times of difficulty brought about by others. Rather than striking out from our humanness, we recall the new creation we are becoming in Christ, and trust in God’s help to stay on track. A measure of God’s wondrous love can be glimpsed even in the midst of turmoil (verse 7). Even when the negative aspects of life get to us, we remain the apple of God’s eye, under the ultimate protection of God’s wings (verse 8). Nothing done to us (by friend or foe) can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:38).

2. Understanding the broken human condition

Ever since human beings had freewill and moral choices to make, wrong decisions – contrary to God’s will and hurtful to others – have been made. With the accumulation of all this selfishness and unthoughtful behaviour, no wonder there’s so much trouble around us in daily life. No wonder that this touches us so often. Verses 10 to 12, speak with developing concern over a lack of compassion to others, self-centredness, personalised persecution, and dire destructiveness. This is what we would expect from those unconscious of the reality of God and unrestrained by Godly ethics. In this way, life just can’t be fair, even for the most innocent of all.

3. Allowing God to put things right

Verse 2 shows that we should allow God to set things right for us … in His time and in His Way. Only God sees the full picture, all the intermeshed human frailties and hurts that cause such pain and relational breakdown. We can rest in the knowledge that God will honour our integrity before all those with eyes clear enough to see the truth. It was truly only God who could put right the injustice of the cross, by raising Jesus from the dead. We don’t have to remain completely passive of course. We can cry to God for justice to prevail, and injustice to be defeated. It is in this way we become an active part of the solution – not becoming in any way accepting of the destructive behaviour of others, but rather a vocal advocate of the innocent. Those who are caught in purely worldly aspirations will never really find true satisfaction, and eventually will have to face their Creator God.

4. Committing Ourselves to Peace

In verse 4, we read a commitment to the way of peace – to not perpetuating the violence of others. If we follow the path of the violent person, it will always be them and not us that will sense victory, and it will always be them and not God – that control us. The 4th&5th century theologian Pelagius said, “The enemy has overcome you when he makes you like himself”. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and calls us to be peacemakers in the affairs of life (Matthew 5:9). It is the “peacemakers” who are truly sons and daughters of God, as the psalmist David puts it: ‘beholding the likeness of God’. We have to learn satisfaction in our relationship with God, even when we feel cheated in life (verse 15). So we need to creatively find non-violent ways of dealing with the attacks upon our person and our character – understanding that it is not so important how people view us, but much more so how people view God through the way we handle adversity!

This psalm poses two alternative ways of living – satisfying ourselves by seeking to exact revenge for each and every thing that goes wrong in our lives, or satisfying ourselves in the richness of our relationship with God. In verses 13 & 14, the psalmist is able to leave any and all retribution to God – accepting however it will play out, and then reflect on what is most important. It’s there in verse 15. Eugene Peterson translates > "And me? I plan on looking you full in the face. When I get up, I’ll see your full stature, and live heaven on earth."

Can we focus on the beauty of God, can we rejoice in being made in God’s likeness, can we assent to becoming more like Jesus, can we trust God enough to leave justice in His hands?

Work & Faith

I have become interested in the connection between faith and the workplace, so I have put some thoughts together here, and will include even more in the sermon time at Point Cook Community Baptist Church this Sunday. I am greatly indebted to the book entitled “God on Monday” by Benny Tabalujan (Klesis Institute, 2005), from which I gained much inspiration.

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” The “whatever you do…” in this biblical text from Colossians 3:17 certainly takes in every part of a Christian’s life, including where we spend a lot of time – the workplace & the schoolyard & the university campus. We represent Jesus wherever we go … that is we should! If we are not known as a follower of Jesus in our regular activities, then we should be – not by preaching it, but by living in such a manner as to raise some curiosity, and by honestly answering the questions that follow. Sometimes we are better at advertising the label of the clothes we wear (on the outside), than the person we are in Christ on the inside! If we are known as followers of Jesus, then we’re really “under the pump” to “come up with the goods” – because the credibility of Jesus will be judged through us!

Work provides a dynamic environment where life must be lived out in relationship with others. It brings a natural forum for conversation, for debate, for new insight. It is also a testing ground for our character. The work given to humanity in the first two chapters of Genesis was to take responsibility for the welfare of God’s creation. Men and women, made in the image of God, would work to mirror a God who had already worked in the fashioning and forming of the universe. So, work was good and designed to be pleasurable! With the exercise of freewill we read about in Genesis 3 (“the fall”), the decision made in the “Garden of Eden” to rebel from God – work suddenly becomes far more toilsome and problematical. However, the concept of working is still good, because it forms part of our journey back to God – a forum in which to prove our faith and allegiance.

A positive involvement in work helps to mould us toward maturity. Despite at times not liking our job, continuing to be faithful workers will be to our benefit. This doesn’t mean that we allow ourselves to be pushed around or discriminated against, rather that we ourselves act fairly and perform our duties responsibly. Our freewill sometimes takes us in unfortunate directions – however making subsequent good decisions can align us afresh with the purposes of God. In this way we can see our work as much more than just earning a living, our workplace is also our “mission-field”. Thank goodness work is meaningful – we spend long enough doing it!! We can begin to see each of our work contacts as a unique person who God desires to love and get to know! This is in complete contrast with the inclination to use others simply in the pursuit of personal agendas. So previously mundane meetings, gradually become real human encounters – with the possibility of meaningful relationships being initiated.

Whereas, generally speaking, we are not at work primarily to share our faith, we do have to relate to others. And as our faith is a central part of who we are, then the gospel that lives within us should become evident through such relating. Sharing the good news is not akin to switching a torch on and off in a dark space; instead we should be like a lamp which provides steady, helpful light to all (Tabalujan).

Our life should not be divided up into segments, where we deliberately keep hidden certain aspects in certain environments. In mathematics, an “integer” (one of the root words of “integrity”) is a whole number, in contrast to fractions. So, to be the same person wherever we are, rather than being a bit of a “fractured” or divided individual, means that we can experience being ‘whole’ and ‘complete’ – each component of our life is integrated into a unity of being. Through this integrity, when faced with competing influences, we will have much more chance of deciding and acting correctly, than if we just respond out of a splintered off part of ourselves – disconnected from our spiritual centre.

Our working life should be nurtured by and reflective of our spiritual values. Our Christian values and ethics will also inform our career paths and job choices. Clearly, we don’t want to be pursuing the types of employment that very quickly conflict with who we are as a person and what we believe in. Also, in the same way as we should live out our faith at work for the benefit of others, we should take the opportunity to bring our work struggles back to our faith community from where we can gain some much needed support.

Ethical dilemmas force us to make a choice from among alternative courses of action. What we finish up choosing indicates where we are at in life, what our priorities are, and what we judge to be right or wrong. Some people tend to evaluate their decisions on the basis of how things turn out. The ends justify the means (if you can get away with it)! Such people tend to only apologize if and when they get caught, and aren’t usually all that repentant.

Christian ethics are not based upon outcomes, but rather on the adoption of a range
of worthy propositions, held deep within, that define a person’s decision-making. Such propositions are clearly set out in the teaching of Jesus, most clearly recorded in Matthew’s Gospel in chapters 5 to 7. Our knowledge of Jesus increasingly develops within us deep inner convictions about the issues surrounding our life. This inner guide is formed and affirmed by what we have learnt and believed, and is nurtured by the Holy Spirit. This should hold us in good stead – through our reactions and decisions, as we are put on the spot, placed under pressure, or surprised by the unexpected. More and more, we will develop a simple sense of knowing the right thing to do.

How can we be a good example at Work? By remembering, especially in times of stress, that we belong to God, and that God is the central feature of our lives. By having a good attitude to our work, ie. not becoming detached from it because we see no point in it, also not becoming addicted to it because it so much defines who we are; we neither become a “slacker”, nor a “workaholic”. By showing a good balance between work, family, community & church activity. By handling pressure and competing demands with a degree of maturity and peacefulness. By not running with the crowd (or accepting the prevailing culture) when it is clearly counter to our normal ethical stance. By being loyal to our employer, no matter how we feel about the job; by working for our employer with the same faithfulness as we would for God.
By demonstrating that earthly success is secondary to spiritual well-being. By being seen to be considerate to the needs of others, even when it inconveniences us or costs us time. By not allowing our ambition to lead to us trampling all over other people. By dealing well with monetary matters; it takes strong ethical commitment to make the right decisions when it means gaining less money.

In Acts chapter 8, Philip had an awareness of God guiding his life, even to the extent of feeling promptings to be in certain places at certain times. When such direction was evident, Philip was prepared to respond. Because of this connection with God’s will & purposes, Philip was actually in the right place at the right time to help another. We can feel promptings as well – to sit in a particular place, or to be available to a certain person. This may well occur at work. Philip was in the place where God could use him! Even when the more threatening call came to go over to the Ethiopian’s chariot and join it, Philip found the courage to respond positively. Philip was there at the right time to hear the Ethiopian reading from the scriptures (and probably see a confused look on his face). Philip was also prepared to open a conversation with this Ethiopian, starting with where the Ethiopian was personally at. Asking, “Do you understand what you are reading”, was obviously a helpful approach because it brought an answer that opened a wonderful opportunity for sharing. Philip had gained an attentive listener, and starting with the Ethiopian’s point of interest (the book of Isaiah), Philip shared with him the good news of Jesus! Philip was also prepared to follow through and help this man with his tentative steps in discipleship. Philip’s actions here demonstrated that there was no barrier that could stop this Ethiopian becoming an active follower of Jesus and a member of his Kingdom.

Refuge for the Busy

In studying the complexities of the "emerging church" and post-Christendom at Whitley at the moment, it's refreshing to just quietly read a psalm and reflect on the worth of placing trust in God for the day ahead. In Psalm 2, I'm reassured by the words, "Happy are all who take refuge in God". So no matter what busyness crowds your brain, even first thing in the morning, what a delight to know that God will travel with you through the day; no only that, but also that the day will bring forth an experience of blessing and meaning.

Walking by the Ovens River

Last month we spent a week in Bright (N.E Victoria) and therefore were able to walk along and view the beautiful Ovens River. I was reminded of that this morning when I read Psalm 1 verse 3. So my prayer today is that I can truly be like that tree planted beside streams of water - yielding fruit in season. To be so, I will have to actively access that source of living water I read about in the Gospel of John chapter 4.

Patience Rewarded

Having been at a Children's Ministry Seminar all day, we checked the football results late in the afternoon. The Dogs won for Chris Grant, Sam Galea & the Duskovics, then what was that they said ... "Carlton defeated Melbourne by 7 points" - Go Blues!

Prayer - A Unique Conversation

Prayer is one of the greatest resources we have. But many people find it hard to get into it. Basically, prayer is turning one’s heart and mind toward God, and then beginning a conversation. This conversation, much like the conversation we would have with an earthly friend, could involve many varied expressions. Given though, that this “conversation” is with our Creator God & Loving Heavenly Parent, there should be other dynamics occurring within this prayer as well (including worship & praise). However sometimes, because of the way we feel, it just seems so difficult to begin this conversation. This could be because we are enduring a period of stress, bewilderment or loss. Sometimes, rather than praying, we are just wishing for this difficulty to be over. This tends to reinforce the habit of trying to deal with problems by ourselves, rather than fully allowing God into the situation. We need to remember that God is always available to us, and we don’t need to be eloquent, or have all the right descriptions of how we feel; just be prepared to focus on God and place our trust right there. Sometimes we will just remain silent in God’s presence, appreciating being there – waiting for understanding and new perspective to arrive. Paul’s words to the 1st Century Church in Rome (Romans 8:26-27) are very encouraging here.
God’s Spirit – the Holy Spirit – placed within us, will empathise with our situation, interpret our need, and guide us appropriately (in terms of God’s best will for our lives). God’s Spirit knows where we’re at, knows what lies behind our wordlessness, understands our deepest needs, and wants to lead us forward. The Holy Spirit helps to shoulder our burden. The Holy Spirit connects with our humanness and draws this towards God’s purpose for our lives. This is all a part of the process of becoming a new person in Christ Jesus (Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 5:17). As we begin to relax in this trustful appreciation of God’s company, we can then allow God’s Spirit to lead us into more verbal expressions. However, prayer should always be seen as a “two-way street” – not just a one-directional communication; like any good human conversation, there is more than one party actively involved. This “ultimate prayer partner” accepts us, loves and cares for us, is on our side, is committed to our welfare, even knows us better than we know ourselves, values us, and desires the best for us. God is also the fount of all wisdom. No matter how things look at times, we can be assured that God is actively working in the lives of those who have responded in loving faith. It is comforting to know that the Creator of the Universe wants to be very personally involved in the details of our life. The tangled webs and problems of life, together with the disappointments and failures, can be transformed in these creative hands of God.
Keith McClellan (in a little book called “Prayer Therapy”) wrote: "Prayer begins in a restless heart. Listen to its stirring." Abraham Lincoln said: "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. My own wisdom, and that of all about me, seemed insufficient for the day". God does want us to gain new insight through our prayers. If we need guidance, if we are at our wits end, then God says to us what was said to Jeremiah of old (33:2-3): "Thus says the Lord … Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known".

Carlton Football Club & Patience

I grew up through the glory years of premierships in 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982 & 1987 (with of course 1995 as well) admiring the skill of such players as John Nicholls, Robert Walls, Jezza, Mike Fitzpatrick, Wayne Harmes, Ken Sheldon, Peter Bosustow, Wayne Johnston, Bruce Doull, David Rhys-Jones, Greg Williams & Stephen Kernahan. I have each of these victorious Grand Finals on DVD. However, in recent times wins have been scarce, and playing style somewhat difficult to watch. Carlton fans have no choice but to be patient. I am learning a new lesson concerning football which is also a very important lesson in life. When things aren't going so well, I need to hang in and be patient, and trust that things will get better. I need to reflect on the many positives of the past, and know that blessings are not far away. I can also pray, thus focussing on God's love and care for me. There will be a win around the corner - I just don't think it will be this week against Melbourne (however I'm willing to be surprised)!