Australia has had an election with the most unexpected results, unexpected, that is, according to the polls and media experts. The re-elected Prime Minister called the result a miracle and being a Christian, he is very familiar with the true meaning of the word 'miracle'.
The blame game has commenced but none of the so called media experts have admitted that the silent majority did not agree with the losing political party's proposed agenda, instead blaming this group for that , and that group for this. How could these experts get it so wrong?
They live in their thought bubble and cannot relate to what other people are thinking. They are safe in their thought bubble and do not want to even consider that others may have a different point of view. Sound familiar?
Unfortunately this scenario is not confined to politics but can be a very familiar scenario in some churches. A number of years ago, I met a younger lady who was very disappointed with her new denominational church group here. She said that where she came from, her whole social life centered around the church activities. That may sound idealistic but is it a practical way for a Christian to live, especially when Jesus said 'Go into all the world.......'? I know I have said it before - how comfortable are Christians going into a pub, or mixing in a totally secular, different thinking group? If we are not comfortable there, then we need to change so that we can mix with people who think differently to us, for that is just what Jesus did, and didn't it get him into strife with the religious class - 'dining with tax collectors and sinners'!
It is so easy to lose touch with the real world and be comfortable with our own surroundings, listening to our own ideas and to those with whom we agree, but as the media 'experts' have found out this weekend, that really is not the real world. When I read Face Book posts from some Christian organisations, if I do decide to comment, it is usually to bring the topic away from the theological argument that is taking place, ( it is so easy to get hung up on theology) and instead, relate my comment to a life situation. A school teacher once told me that she enjoyed listening to the Bible stories I told in Religion Class, as I made it relevant to the children. To me, that is what Christianity is about - relating what God has to say, to every day life and not just in a Christian context.
As Christianity is getting a hammering in the West ( a battering in the East and other parts of the world) it is time for Christians to step outside the confines of their church, and mix and relate their Christianity to every day people they meet. For many, this is already happening, but like the so called media experts here, for many, this may be a new experience.
Jesus said 'Go'!
The blame game has commenced but none of the so called media experts have admitted that the silent majority did not agree with the losing political party's proposed agenda, instead blaming this group for that , and that group for this. How could these experts get it so wrong?
They live in their thought bubble and cannot relate to what other people are thinking. They are safe in their thought bubble and do not want to even consider that others may have a different point of view. Sound familiar?
Unfortunately this scenario is not confined to politics but can be a very familiar scenario in some churches. A number of years ago, I met a younger lady who was very disappointed with her new denominational church group here. She said that where she came from, her whole social life centered around the church activities. That may sound idealistic but is it a practical way for a Christian to live, especially when Jesus said 'Go into all the world.......'? I know I have said it before - how comfortable are Christians going into a pub, or mixing in a totally secular, different thinking group? If we are not comfortable there, then we need to change so that we can mix with people who think differently to us, for that is just what Jesus did, and didn't it get him into strife with the religious class - 'dining with tax collectors and sinners'!
It is so easy to lose touch with the real world and be comfortable with our own surroundings, listening to our own ideas and to those with whom we agree, but as the media 'experts' have found out this weekend, that really is not the real world. When I read Face Book posts from some Christian organisations, if I do decide to comment, it is usually to bring the topic away from the theological argument that is taking place, ( it is so easy to get hung up on theology) and instead, relate my comment to a life situation. A school teacher once told me that she enjoyed listening to the Bible stories I told in Religion Class, as I made it relevant to the children. To me, that is what Christianity is about - relating what God has to say, to every day life and not just in a Christian context.
As Christianity is getting a hammering in the West ( a battering in the East and other parts of the world) it is time for Christians to step outside the confines of their church, and mix and relate their Christianity to every day people they meet. For many, this is already happening, but like the so called media experts here, for many, this may be a new experience.
Jesus said 'Go'!
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