Most Important? Look, See, Pray

Salsify flower and seed “parachute”. Which part of this flower-cycle is most important? The flower or the seeds? Hmm.

This is an interesting but essentially irrelevant question! Without both stages of life, the flower species will die out. Flowers attract pollinators; the pollinators “cause” seeds to form; the seeds in due time provide the new plants for next year. Every year.

Like the famous “chicken and egg” dilemma, there is no definitive answer. (By the way- with so many foods said to “taste like chicken” – how come eggs don’t?)

Christians have from time to time debated vigorously about “interesting” questions. One historical classic : “How many angels can dance on the head of a pin?” What a waste of time! What a diversion of energy from essential Kingdom purposes… But theologians thought it worthy of debate.

What is more important- spiritual gifts or spiritual fruit? Both!

What matters most- correct doctrine or correct practice? In real life, it’s almost impossible to have one without the other. We truly need “Jesus-think” alongside “Jesus-love.”

As James puts it, faith without action is worthless. Paul writes “Be transformed through the renewing of your minds” (Romans 12:1).

Thinking in a holy way (Christ-like) will lead us to act in a holy way (Christ-like) even if that sets us against the accepted norms of society. Just remember that Jesus showed Love- and did so by applying justice AND mercy. He was the most attractive personality, the most stimulating, the most provocative, and lived in full integrity. He overturned tables in the Temple as well as healed the lame: he taught in stories and performed miraculous signs. He spoke the Word of Creation; and smashed the power of the grave.

How about we just follow and obey Jesus the best we can? With all that we are?

Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence.’ This is the most important, the first on any list. But there is a second to set alongside it: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ These two commands are pegs; everything in God’s Law and the Prophets hangs from them.” (Matt. 22:37, Message)

Laugh, or You’d Cry- Look, See, Pray

There’s always a clown. Drama needs clowns- and the circus requires clowns of all shapes. Including the sad faced ones.

The drama of Good Friday is about to begin. In a darkened Garden, a man and a few friends face their midnight of the soul. Which is the clown?

Is it Judas, who sold a friend as a job lot? S.W.A.L.K. = Sold With A Lousy Kiss.

Or James and John, who can’t keep their eyes open to pray.

Peter‘s up for the role- too sleepy, then too violent, then too chicken as the rooster crowed.

Caiaphas and Annas– a pair who can’t even fix their crooked trial efficiently!

Herod gets a mention, quickly passed over, more midget than clown.

Pilate, the man with a wiser wife and a cynical streak- “What IS Truth, anyway?” Not funny.

Jesus? His tears will spoil the face paint, and the sound of a heart breaking is no smiling matter. Who casts the hero as a clown? The most prominent colour is blood-red and overpowering… Oh…

It’s a rough night for clowns, but a Good Friday for the human race. It would make a grown man cry if he wasn’t laughing so loud. Clowns can say and do things that aren’t the done thing. Tragedy, comedy, pathos, and searing honesty: but it’s “safe” ‘cos its “only the clowns” and you laugh when they fall down. But there’s not much laughing tonight- and none in heaven.

Script writers and Ringmasters love their clowns! They legitimise “silly” violence, make tragedy funny, and hold the focus of the crowd. “I know, let’s make Jesus “King for a Day” with a big parade; and a spot of scandal when he upsets the money men; a man whose Love becomes so dangerous we can kill him off.”

Little did they know… the real plan, the Deeper Mystery, had been formed in the Beginning of Beginnings by the Beginner of Everything. And all the lesser clowns perform as the “warm up act” for the Death of Death and the Saviour’s Resurrection. Who is laughing now? Mock the clown at your peril!

There will be shining robes in place of motley and harlequin: an Ageless Face with scars and wounds who leads the procession of the Kingdom Eternal- and a broken heart bringing wholeness to all who will let Him. The Lamb who is a Lion; the One who drains the Cup of Sorrows to start the biggest party this universe will ever see.

There will be tears today- and joy and laughter for ever after. God sent in The Clown. This One wears a Crown.

^{© Richard Starling, 2024.}

Justice! Look, See, Pray

Screwed to a tree, long enough ago for the bark to start covering it, this sign proudly states “Community Payback- Offenders working for the community.”

Hasn’t worked too well- some objectionable oicks have tried to vandalise the sign. At least they didn’t damage the tree any further.

“Oh if only there was some justice!

Someone to punish!

Bring back the stocks!

Let’s transport someone to Australia…” (or Rwanda?)

How quick the cry for justice. Especially when it affects “our” safe life. Someone ought to be made to pay for my stress and loss.

Now, fair do, society needs rules that can protect the innocent and punish-or-reform the offenders. At least this sign speaks of the offenders having to make good on their crime: and perhaps it helps the miscreants to reflect on choices and attitudes for the future.

But the heart of the human problem is…… the human heart.

Who or what can remake our hearts? Or teach us to take responsibility for our actions, and so learn to have compassion and respect for others?

Willpower can go so far. Self-help courses may work for some. Prison may allow us to feel safer because “they” are locked up. All these have some virtue. Yet I am more and more convinced that humans need an encounter with God if we are to “live right.”

Jesus faced a challenge when a crowd brought an adulterous woman “caught in the act” (Funny they didn’t bring the bloke as well. How’s that for a double standard.) You can read the whole story in John 8 v1-11.

Two statements by Jesus are worth reflecting on.

“Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” The accusers shamefacedly walked away.

So He said: “Then neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”

Being eager for “justice” or vengeance is natural- as long as we are just. But where is the mercy or grace that can bring forgiveness and a fresh beginning? I only know One person who does that freely.

Love casts out fear. Light drives away darkness. Jesus gives Life.

Distortion- 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 Pier- Look, See, Pray

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?

Looking for A Hero – Look, See, Pray

Our search for a hero is expressed in so many ways… making idols of sporting teams, flirting with extremist politics, or obsession with the Hollywood myths- like Superman.

What a fabulous kite! Dipping and soaring on the wind, brightly coloured, ingeniously designed- but powerless. Much like the comic book universe that puts our longings into the box office. At one level, much religious activity is based on unfulfilled wishes- so “gods” were manufactured out of wood, stone, or precious metals. The forces of nature are seen as divine: spirits of trees, water, and fire. Even animals can be worshipped. Bulls are strong, lions are courageous, eagles are majestic…

In the 20th century, two colossal wars caused awful loss of life and dreadful destruction. No wonder fictional heroes gained even more attraction. Add the incredible “special effects” of modern film-making, and the impossible happens before our eyes.

Is it surprising that many have abandoned “faith” as hollow and powerless? We have lost trust in politics, church, and morality. Give us Superman! If nothing else, Superman would lift responsibility and guilt from our shoulders… we could leave everything to the superhero.

Now, if Jesus had worn a red cape and Y-fronts over a jumpsuit… Would everybody have thronged to follow Him instead of crucifying Him?

The way of Jesus is the opposite of acting out a superhero fantasy.

Love, grace, life-transforming teaching, some miracles; but embracing Death in order the shatter the power of Death forever.

He could have called 10,000 angels- but instead He chose the path of willing obedience. Out of that humility, new life was birthed through Resurrection- the Father’s “Amen” to the self-giving of Jesus. WE are called to make Jesus our model, inspiration, and goal- not to yearn for “superhero myths” but to walk in humble Love.

“Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus.“ (Phil. 2:5)