A Reflection at the Beginning of 2012
Dear Friends,
We have sailed into the New Year on the threatening waves of 2011.
The global economic and monetary crisis will deepen further. The poor of the world will get poorer, more exploited, more restless. The tsunami of international conflicts, unrests and uprisings may turn into more daring and deadly waves of conflict. The international powerbrokers will work harder to consolidate their grip on power. Big international media will further blur the line that distinguishes the truth from the lie. The world in 2012 has all ingredients it needs to become a more radicalized, polarized, and dangerous place.
One does not need to consult various conspiracy theorists to recognize that ours are very uncertain times, with more and more people overcome by apathy, powerlessness and thoughts that they are too insignificant to make any meaningful difference in their immediate and extended environment. I have to confess that there are times when I too have to fighting the emotions that suggest that working for peace, reconciliation and better human relationships, as well as encouraging people to follow Jesus, is a futile mission. However, such are the times when I remind myself that apparently small beam of light has more penetrating power than the darkest night.
For several years I’ve loved a personal motto that is coming back to me now with added urgency – “Serving God’s Purpose in Our Generation”. It has been shaped out of the conviction that Jesus’ invitation to follow Him is a call to a relationship and lifestyle that is something else than following a mediocre religiosity consisting of a drive-through, minimalist, non-engaging spirituality. I believe that the more the world is becoming a fragile place the more are the followers of Jesus called to be the people on a mission.
What is the mission of the followers of Jesus when the times are shaking?
I love the way Paul calls Jesus’ followers “the ambassadors of Christ” in 2. Cor. 2:17-20. His reasoning begins with a reassuring statement that “God reconciled us to himself through Christ”, followed by a missional invitation to all his reconciled children to become His ambassadors of reconciliation in our human environment. Paul would actually say: “He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. God is making his appeal through us. ‘We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.’” Chris Seay states the same in his book ‘The Gospel According to Jesus’: “Lord, we long to be the kind of people who, when pulled out of the rubble, come out grateful and thankful, ready to be a part of your rescue mission in this world”.
The main point is this. Only reconciled people are truly able to lead other to reconciliation. Within the challenges our world is facing today, Paul’s charge to us may sound something like this: “Now that you have been reconciled with God through Jesus Christ and that you know it, above everything else you will want to become His ambassador of reconciliation in your family, town, country, community. You are equipped to demonstrate what Christ has done to you. Use passionately all the gifts, skills and calling that God has given you to bring healing to your community. Give yourself to others with whatever you have - whether preaching, teaching or mentoring; whether protecting the sanctity of human life in all its facets (and not one or two politically correct issues only), or protecting human dignity, human rights or religious freedom; whether it is advocacy of justice, peace building, reconciliation, or protection of minorities; whether defeating poverty and various forms of social and political injustice – do it all passionately and vigorously from the perspective of reconciliation, assurance and acceptance you have experienced with God in Jesus Christ.
At this time when the days ahead of us look murky, it is the vision of Christ on the cross and his hands stretched out to embrace the world in confusion that gives a perspective to my faith, courage to my heart, and a direction to my mission. It was the same vision that gave the meaning to the missions of William Wilberforce, Mother Teresa and Dietrich Bonhoeffer. They are all teaching us that when the rumors of wars become louder, economic crises more threatening, when human life is treated as a disposable commodity, freedoms are threatened in the name of our own protection, the indifference of people becomes more prevailing, and when darkness seems to become ever thicker – such are the times when the followers of Jesus realize that they have more and not less work to do.
May the love of Christ motivate us all in 2012 to serve God’s purpose in our generation by loving our neighbors across political, religious, national, racial and international divides more than ever before.
Love, blessings and Happy New Year.
Love, blessings and Happy New Year.
Tihomir Kukolja
With all the respect, it reminds me on visit to the counselor/s....they explain what you have to do but HOW they do not have a clue.
ReplyDeleteGenuine and informed faith in Christ always leads to actions that go beyond what one “drinks and eats”. They enter all layers of human and social relationship and interaction. How to identify and go about one’s vision and mission one needs to tune into the guidance of the Holy Spirit and recognize one’s passion.
ReplyDeleteFor practical ways of HOW it is good to consult the examples of people who have done it. I often like to offer the examples of William Wilberforce, Mother Teresa, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Nelson Mandela for a reason. William Wilberforce was a man who persisted throughout his life in bringing down slavery by legal and parliamentarian means. Mother Teresa served the poor in the harshest circumstances. Dietrich Bonhoeffer resisted the government that played God. Nelson Mandela, although he had the power to retaliate after the Apartheid was demolished in South Africa, he chose not to. All of those and many more, acted from the platform of their faith and understanding that the liberating gospel includes its application in all social and human relationships and circumstances. All of them did it to the uttermost. This world would have been by now a much darker place if it were not for the people such as these. The world today needs people like this more than ever before.
One more thing. Try to compose a list of all the people you know who have radically contributed to the betterment of human relationships in the last few centuries and you will discover that in nine out of ten cases they were followers of Jesus, or Christians who saw the link between the saving and applied grace. Despite their shortcomings, blind-spots, imperfections.