Alan Johnston's release: was inspiring to see how his spirits had been buoyed simply by knowing through radio/TV that the world had not forgotten about him. Hearing him speak I was reminded of Peter Gabriel's 'Wallflower', a message of hope to a political prisoner, one of those great songs where the music expresses the power and poignancy of the lyrics: 'Hold on... you have gambled with your own life, and you face the night alone/while the builders of the cages, speak with bullets, bars and stone/they do not see your road to freedom, that you've built with flesh and bone...'
I'm reading Philip Yancey's 'The Jesus I never knew'. Good section on the Beattitudes, this morning focussing on 'Blessed are the poor...' under heading The Great reversal'. The insight he draws out about how God's values completely turn the tables on conventional, worldly values is both deeply challlenging and encouraging - especially in my present circumstances of applying to join a Christian faith mission, WEC. It's ministry 'Radio Worldwide' in Leeds, specifically. I've had contact with the team in the past so have a certain feeling of connection. Still, several aspects of the ministry go completely against the grain of a conventional view of what's a good lifestyle for someone at my stage of life. Semi-communal living, no salary, trusting God to provide for the work and personal needs - even a policy of no appeal for funds! From a worldly perspective appears to narrow down options severely. But the more I consider the spirit of the Beattitudes, the more I find the prospect of this path, or one like it, exciting. The opportunity hopefully to see more of the 'kingdom of heaven' draw near.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
.JPG)
3 comments:
Why is it always the poor? What about the cheesemakers?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiDmMBIyfsU
Seriously though, do you consider the parasite infested starving millions in the world as blessed by a so called loving god? (I feel a nasty OT god debate comming on :-) )
Billy
Hi Billy,
I should correct my quotation from Matthew 5 to the 'poor in spirit'. Either way, though, the strength of the insight still stands. Being poor in spirit implies an attitude of vulnerablity, humble recognition of one's dependence - and this leads to blessing because it makes you much more likely to be open to God and spiritual provision, the 'kingdom of heaven', than if you are relyiing on your own possessions and attributes. And the reality is the materially poor are often more likely to have this spirit that leads to blessing. Yes material poverty is a curse that we who are materially rich should do all we can to alleviate, but be careful not to exaggerate or distort your point; the reality is also that the poor in the world often are more content - and generous - than we in the west because they have this spirit.
Bruce
Hi Bruce,
the reality is also that the poor in the world often are more content - and generous - than we in the west because they have this spirit.
They may not want playstations and dods in handbags - which I agree is good, but they still want food, water and medicine. I think your point is an unsubstantiated one about generosity, and suffers from the "no true scotsman fallacy" In fact, murder and violent crime are more prevalent in desperatly poor areas such as Rio and Jo'burgh.
We will have to disagree on vulnerability being a blessing. To me, a blessing would be to be in control of areas of your life that need fixed, not waiting for divine handouts that may never come.
It seems that this philosophy is common in different faiths - ones that by definition you must consider false. If a buddhist wants to see divine provision in his suffering he can. If I wanted to see the hand of Joe Pesci in my struggles I could, and come to the realisation that he doesn't want me to marry Jesica Alba (despite praying to him)
Catch you later
Billy
Post a Comment