(The Nationalist, 22 July 2005)
One of the features of the teaching of Jesus is its sense of urgency, a powerful sense that what matters is to move, to act, and to do, here and now. Jesus was not one for putting things on the long finger, waiting for a better time or place to make a start.
His parables present a picture of people who “go for broke,” giving everything for what they value, prepared to take risks for the things that matter. They are people who are committed to the kingdom of God, that is, to making the world into the kind of place that God wants it to be.
We need such people. A world that is tired of words and argument needs people who simply live the message. They are a reality that cannot be argued away. They are people who humbly try to reform themselves, not angrily trying to reform others. They are people who get off the fence and commit themselves whole-heartedly to God’s service. They are people who never stop trying. God does not ask for success, but does ask for fidelity.
Society won’t get any better until you and I get better. There is no system or structure that will make it unnecessary for people to work to change themselves for the better. God is asking us to commit ourselves to this, to stop pointing an accusing finger at others, (leaving three fingers back at ourselves) but to look instead to ourselves, to face the truth, not hiding behind masks and false images, but acknowledging the reality of what we are, and challenging what is wrong within us.
The one part of the world I can certainly do something about is myself. It’s a daunting task because human beings are naturally lazy and selfish. We want to be left as we are. But God is restless for us to become what we could be and wants us to face that challenge with hope and courage. The time to start is now; the place to start is here – with me.
For those in a hurry: ‘Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success’. (Anonymous)