August 2023 – Look, See, Pray

I’ve just had new specs- and the process worked perfectly. There was one time when one lens was convex and the other concave: trust me, the world looked seriously odd! Those glasses had to be remade properly.

You may be thinking I took this photo of London’s Shard and River Thames through wrong glasses. It’s strange and distorted, even disturbing.

I did that on purpose. Photography is fun- and digital files can be edited easily with computers to make striking images out of ordinary subjects. Note: I said “striking” images, not necessarily ones you’d want to hang in the hall.

Distortion happens in many ways- some deliberate, some by accident, others by incompetence. We all think we see the world “the right way” but our ideal world is shaped by many influences in our background, education and experiences. Others see things very differently, which is why people sometimes clash.

Art and literature distort on purpose. Think Picasso, or Dali… or the gentler fictional existence of Bertie Wooster. Young Bertie represents an upper-class drone in English society of the Edwardian era. An amiable English gentleman and one of the “idle rich”, Bertie appears alongside his valet, Jeeves, whose intelligence manages to save Bertie or one of his friends from numerous awkward situations. Bertie Wooster and Jeeves have been described as “one of the great comic double-acts of all time”. (Sam Leith, in the Telegraph, 2007)

I’d like a Jeeves.

Someone to sort out any problems, make my path smooth, and generally allow me to avoid all responsibility. Sounds wonderful. I think so, anyway…

It would be a distortion of real life. I suspect it wouldn’t work, but it isn’t unknown for humans to look for a “Jeeves solution” through religion. Christianity is far from immune from this! When we view Jesus as a personal servant or genie whose duty is to fulfil OUR wishes, we’re entering the realm of distortion of truth and faith.

Jesus or Jeeves.

Even a swift read through the Gospels should help us see that the Jesus who invited people to “Follow Me” and even “Take up your cross and follow me” is not your best bet for a deity to make life easy and free of all problems.

Have a think about the last few times you prayed. How many of those requests/demands could have been finished “in the name of Jeeves, Amen!”

Jeeves would be my all-powerful servant.

Jesus is my Lord, my Saviour, my Life-Giver, my Hope- and I serve Him.

One of those two sentences is a grave distortion of reality. We need to think carefully before we start treating God as a bit of a convenience store, open all hours for our whims.

Distortion can be deadly dangerous!

A very British treat… a stroll along the pier. You can’t hide a pier! It sticks out very obviously.

What shall I do at this pier? Perhaps an ice cream, and then sit relaxing as the sea performs its gentle mesmerising dance. Afterward, at low tide, a walk on the sands- and a revelation. Underneath is very different- and not “pretty” even though there are strong patterns.

Girders, support pillars, tension bars. Strong enough to see off a hundred winters, countless storms, and (mostly) the lack of maintenance. Such a harsh and unforgiving environment- and such a careful design by the engineers. Our pier may look a bit scruffy, but it’s surviving and giving pleasure to many visitors. Still.

Now, let’s consider the structure that makes a strong character- more specifically, that supports an enduring Christian character.

Our foundation must be Jesus Himself. Eternal truth and love who took humanity upon himself, and displays God to the world. To spend time BY CHOICE in His Presence is key.

What practical pillars does a mature Christian life depend on? Honest trusting faith, submission and obedience, plus a growing Bible knowledge and understanding. Being an active part of a community learning and loving together is essential. All these things are strong supports.

Then there is humility, selfless love, a willingness to forgive and be forgiven. Praise and prayer, spirituality with integrity, developing self-discipline, the attitude of gratitude, and more- all these add up to a life that becomes worship.

When we look at a Christian we respect and admire, we may at first only see the “public face.” However, unless there is strength and resilience beyond the public image, their faith may be hollow… Look more deeply.

One of the greatest gifts a mature Christian can “give away” is to honestly reveal their inner soul, and the practices that support the whole person. I have been privileged to have had some great role models who have been open (even about their struggles). After all, no-one scores 100% all the time!

St Paul was brave enough to tell others to “imitate me as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor 11 v1).

Jesus put it even more simply: he said “Follow me.”

Twelve disciples spent three years sharing life with Christ. Eleven gradually built strong and faithful character. One betrayed Jesus.

How am I going to build my living faith today? That’s always a really good question. How would you answer it?