Our Call This Week
The central culture in the world of human affairs has evolved as one of getting and consuming. Of course, as will have recently been preached around the world, Christmas reveals this clearly and disturbingly. And the cost we have paid has been deeply felt in the last years.
However, as Christ revealed in his life and teachings, the ‘culture’ of God’s reign is one of giving, sharing and preserving. Only by allowing this ‘Christ-culture’ to permeate our lives and world can we ever hope to address the great crises of our time – poverty, human trafficking, dread diseases, terrorism and war. Imagine the difference if nations sought ways to give to one another, rather than exploit; if organisations sought to do well only by doing good; and if individuals learned that love for our neighbours is expressed through giving of time, resources, compassion and energy.
While it may seem naive and sentimental to say so, the truth is that many of the world’s problems need the approach of love to address them. We need to learn to love our political, religious, international, and economic rivals. We need to learn to love our co-workers, our collaborators and our supporters. We need to learn to love those for whom we work for justice. This is not a sentimental, fickle, “feeling”, but a commitment to seek the best for the other, to honour their humanity, their God-createdness, and their right to life. The Christlike kind of love is a choice, made daily, to live in ways that contribute to the well-being of others and of our planet in whatever way we can. This is the call this week.
There is too much “wiifm” “what’s in it for me” mentality in our world today. That puts the i in the center of our culture. So (as they say) we can change our world one “I” at a time each day by giving up our wiifm for a “what can I do for you”
This is a call that can be a challenge because of our human nature. But we need to be more “christ like” in our thoughts and our actions. When in a situation, ask ourselves “what would Jesus do” or “how would Jesus handle this situation.” by Susie