Dear Friends

Life is full of choices, sometimes we do what we have to, and sometimes we do what we enjoy. One of the things I enjoy doing is cooking. At times, I barely have to think about it, because I’m making a dish that I have made many times. Other times, I need to check the recipe, just to make sure. But, if I’m cooking a dish for the first time, I try to follow the recipe to the letter. Quite often, I will then make slight changes if I cook it again, according to my taste, and that of those for whom I am cooking.

I enjoy cooking because it has an obvious outcome in a relatively short period of time, I know in advance what I am going to need, and I have a clear set of steps to follow to achieve success. This contrasts sharply with my ‘day job’ in ministry, which I love for opposite reasons: my aims are usually more long-term, I never know what each day will bring, and I can never be sure of the effect my work will have. The contrast between the two brings a satisfying balance to my life.

A sense of balance can often be found in the teachings of Jesus. Sometimes, the balances are obvious: in His ‘Sermon on the Plain’ (Luke 6:20-49) Jesus described the poor, hungry, weeping and hated as blessed! By contrast, He said ‘woe to’ the rich, full, laughing and popular. The first group, having little that is nice in this world, are more likely to trust in God, while the second group, who have all the good things in this world, are less likely to see a need to seek God, let alone trust Him! At other times, opposites in Jesus’ teaching only become obvious after some consideration,

‘if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.’ (Matthew 5:39b-41)

Notice how the behaviour Jesus expects is the opposite to the expectations of the world, balancing the evil action with a demonstration of forgiveness and love.

Becoming a Christian is easy, all you have to do is accept God’s grace, offered freely through His Son. But, living your Christianity is difficult. Jesus said

‘I say to you, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,’(Matthew 5:43)

and, as if that’s not hard enough, He also said,

‘Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’ (Matthew 5:48)

The good news is, when we try and fail, because we will all fail at times, God doesn’t stop loving us.

‘For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.’ (Romans 8:38,39)

Many blessings,

Carl