Complicated Loyalty: Reflections on Peter’s Denial of Jesus…
With Easter approaching, it’s likely just a matter of time until you are reminded that the most famous of Jesus’ disciples, Simon Peter, denied knowing who Jesus was not once, or even twice, but a brazen three times. While overall Peter gets an impressive grade as the first human leader of the early church, this lapse is always remembered. Often it is spoken of in cautionary terms: “If it could happen to Peter, it could happen to you.” It also seems to have plagued Peter for the rest of his days. If the traditional account of the martyrdom of Peter is correct, he...
Read MoreThe stories we forget to tell, the stories we don’t notice…
“They also serve who only stand and wait” is the famous last line of Milton’s autobiographical poem, “On his blindness”. Milton wrote it after he became blind, and was struggling with feelings of uselessness. The poem asks if God is only interested in those who can actively serve God with their work – and then dismisses the notion, for “God doth not need Either man’s work or his own gifts”. The liberating conclusion is that “They also serve who only stand and wait.” Accepting your limitations is seen as its own form of service...
Read MoreChef or Ingredient: Christian alternatives…
I’ve heard it often enough: “Decide. Are you going to be the chef, or an ingredient?” Be a leader, or be consumed. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said it in slightly different terms at the World Economic Forum in Davos (20 Jan 26) when he cautioned middle power countries “If we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu.” Beneath both are the sentiment that if you don’t get yourself into a position of power you will be a mere pawn in someone else’s game – not important enough to have your loyalty rewarded when more difficult...
Read MoreHidden Burdens: Because there is a silent scream in most of us…
I was at church on Sunday with no responsibility for the service other than to be there. It’s great to simply be a worshipper without any need to quietly rehearse your sermon opening, or to second guess it and wonder if you should quickly come up with an alternate. Perhaps it was because I was in that place of settled calm that I was more thoughtful when the service leader invited us to a time of prayer that focussed on the hidden burdens that people carry. He expressed it beautifully. Hidden burdens are – well hidden. Often no one else knows about them. They can be things from...
Read MoreNot how can I be happy, but how can we be happy: From I to we…
Rosemary and I have been watching Pole to Pole with Will Smith. It’s pretty inspiring, even though I’m not going to raise my hand to visit the spots explored, nor will I be swimming under a polar icecap anytime soon! In an episode on happiness Smith makes a fascinating summary statement that the key question should not be “how can I be happy, but how can we be happy.” In an era characterised by unhappiness and anxiety, this changes our focus from the individualism of the West, to the far longer wisdom of this planet, that it’s not all about me, but rather about...
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