Why we do what we do

Values come into play far more often than we think. Take for example the emotional debates concerning the Christmas Island funerals this week. Comments on news websites covering the event were all across the board. A summary of the opinions at these sites (eg. http://www.news.com.au/national/row-over-asylum-seeker-funeral-costs/comments-e6frfkvr-1226006254033) generally include the following: The government was right in organising the burials. The government was wrong for creating an atmosphere which encouraged people smuggling. The government was wrong to organise the funerals in Sydney. The government was right to continue processing and accepting claims. The government was wrong to pay for the flights from Christmas Island. The government was right to pay for the flights from Christmas Island. And so on. While we will not go into who is right and who is wrong here (or why even), it is interesting to guess what value systems undergird each statement.

Another interesting topic is the pokies betting limits. From the government’s perspective, setting caps on the amount of money wagered will assist those with gambling problems. The Australian Hotels Association on the other hand, claims that the exercise would cost $4 billion and would lead to jobs losses. Others would say that Australia isn’t a nanny state and each person should be allowed to do whatever they want with their lives. And therein lies the challenge of an ethically laissez-faire society. When all values become equal, the borders of what is right and wrong start getting blurred and wobbly.

Thankfully as Christians, we have the Holy Bible to help guide us through some of these tough issues. Some of them will take more time to work through than others but this is why God wants us to read His Word and meditate on it daily. As we saturate ourselves with the scriptures and pray for guidance, we will learn to discern God’s will in most situations. The psalmist writes, ‘Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path’ (Psalm 119:105 KJV). Each day will have new challenges, but having a good grip on the scriptures will help us choose the right road to follow.

Keeping the Big Picture perspective

Barry O’Farrell must be feeling quite chuffed. A recent poll points to an overwhelming Coalition victory in the next NSW state election with even bookmakers suggesting that the Coalition have odds of almost five to one. Even Bob Hawke has conceded that Labor will not do well come March, admitting that, “Basically what our job is is to make sure that we hold, win as many seats as we possibly can.” (http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/02/05/3130903.htm?section=justin).

Now, we don’t want to take that statement out of context. Mr Hawke was talking about the coming elections and the best long-term strategy for the party. We are also aware that many politicians work hard to serve the people, and we should do our best to support them. Nevertheless, that statement seemed to encapsulate a popular sentiment among many voters these days. In the last federal election, many polls seemed to indicate that the public had lost faith in the major political parties because they had lost the big picture and were more interested in winning positions than serving the people. And sometimes churches can forget the big picture too.

Luke 15 starts with all manner of socially unacceptable folk surrounding and listening to Jesus. Some religious leaders notice this and start making snide remarks about the company He keeps. Jesus then goes on to tell them three parables: the Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin and the Prodigal Son. While the religious leaders were so focused on keeping the different rules and regulations which they thought was important, they had forgotten the big picture: God loves all people, and strangely enough (as the first two parables indicate), He seems to care especially for those who are furthest away from Him.

As churchgoers, we too can sometimes forget God’s heart for the lost. The Gospels tell us of a God with a passionate desire for all people to find peace, hope and joy through a relationship with Himself. That is why Jesus came. As God’s chosen people, let us be aware of why we are here. Firstly, to walk humbly before God, but secondly, to be messengers of His scandalous grace to all humanity.

The athlete who misbehaved

There are athletes who misbehave and athletes who misbehave. Anyone browsing through the sports pages of any national paper in the last few weeks would have read of the following alleged indiscretions among certain athletes: brawling, drug abuse, drunkenness and of course the girl-with-the-nude-photos affair. Such drama on and off the field these days!

Those who stayed at home at night on Australia Day last week might have caught ‘Salute’ a doco-movie which tells the remarkable story of another athlete who misbehaved in the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Despite winning a silver medal in the 200 metres event at 20.06 seconds (which still stands as the national record), Peter Norman was never allowed to run for his country again and wasn’t even invited to participate in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. The misbehaviour which warranted such harsh consequences? Standing in solidarity with black athletes protesting racism. If you’re ever passing through Newtown, you might still be able to see a mural of this remarkable event titled ‘Three Proud People’.

Early on in the film, it is revealed that Peter Norman had a background in the Salvation Army. His grandparents were officers and his parents were involved with the weekly church meetings. The sprinter himself was strongly influenced by the Salvos and was later famous for running with tracksuits emblazoned with ‘God is Love’ and ‘Jesus Saves’. While being interviewed Peter explained how the Christian values from his Salvos background influenced him to take the controversial stand with Tommy Smith and John Carlos on the podium.

While there are many who believe that sports should not be mixed with politics, let us be reminded that our faith should be expressed in every area of our lives. Our thoughts, words and actions should all glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Despite being an athlete, Peter could still make the statement because of his Christian values and convictions. He would pay a heavy price and never run competitively again but shortly after his death, USA Track and Field took the unprecedented step of declaring October 9 (the date of his death) Peter Norman day in memory of his courageous stand for equality.

Not entirely irrational faith

According to some, the 12^th of December next year is when it’s all going to end. And no, it’s not some wacky Christian cult that’s making the prediction this time. The honour for this one goes to the Mayans who really won’t be able to defend themselves if it doesn’t really work out, since they all died out oh about 1100 years ago (http://www.smh.com.au/world/apocalypse-sooner-or-later-20110121-19zyn.html). Time to dig that nuclear-winter proof bunker maybe?

It really is quite fascinating to hear why people believe or have faith in something. Some people believe that science and human genius will one day cure all ills (yet to be proved). Some believe that aliens will one day bring salvation to all humanity (Area 51- look it up). Some believe there are many gods (most Eastern countries). Some believe there is no God (most Western countries). But why do they believe that?

As Christians, we should always be ready to give a reasonable answer to why we believe that God is real, or that it is possible to be in a relationship with Him (1 Peter 3:15). Firstly, we believe that is what the Bible teaches. But can we trust the Bible? It was written so long ago. But so are most historical records. And the vast majority of scholars (Christian or secular) of ancient history would regard the Gospels as a collection of reliable historical documents. We can believe that Jesus was a real person with as much certainty as believing in the existence of Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Attila the Hun or Confucius. Secondly, if the historical record of Jesus is reliable, then we are faced with His outrageous statements and the fact that many people saw Him alive again after He was crucified. Thirdly, we also have the testimony of millions of people around the world who claim to have a relationship with Him.

Is it possible to have absolute, conclusive, scientific and lab-tested proof of God’s existence? Not yet. But if we were honest, we don’t ask for that sort of proof all the time. If we did, we’d never fly, drive or even get out of bed.

Giving: an act of worship

There are needs everywhere. A quick look at some of the news reports this week will reveal requests for aid from Queensland, more floods in Brazil (with more than 600 dead), floods (again) in Sri Lanka (more than 1 million people displaced) and reminders of the rebuilding efforts still ongoing in Haiti (more than 1 million people still living in tents since the earthquake). One personal story which may have touched hearts all over was of Ila Amaral (http://www.smh.com.au/national/time-runs-out-in-the-quest-to-save-ila-20110117-19u5a.html).

For many of us, the statistics are just numbers on a page. The danger here for us, who have three meals a day and a roof over our heads is to think (subconsciously sometimes) “Praise God we are well provided for, too bad for the rest of you!” Others may cry out, “Charity begins at home!” and expound on why it is better to meet the many different needs in the country (and there are many). As Christians, what are we to do?

Matthew 26:6-12 tells us of a woman who bought perfume for Jesus. His disciples are outraged! According to Mark 14:5 the perfume was worth a year’s wages and could have been spent on the poor instead! But Jesus reminds them that what the woman did was a good thing. Just as it is now, there were people in need everywhere then, but Jesus reminds us all that the focus on giving should always be God. Everything we do should be done as an act of worship to God, and that includes giving. Yes, the money for the perfume which was given to Jesus could have been used to feed the poor, but the woman did it as an act of service to Jesus and was praised for it. What does this mean for us? Firstly, in giving, we should always have God in mind. If we ask God for wisdom, He will guide us to where we should give. Secondly, we should not give out of guilt but thankfulness (2 Corinthians 9:7-12) and thirdly we should do our best to be as generous (and aware) as possible to the needy around us (Deuteronomy 15:11).