Mirror, mirror on the wall.

When you look in the mirror what do you see?

Do you see a rock standing firm, or do you see a reed bending before every storm that rages around you? How do you stack up against the immutable laws of the universe, for as much as we believe we are in control, mankind is not the ruler of this planet, let alone the rest of the universe.

What do I mean? Do you challenge the unprecedented moral and social changes going on in our societies, or do you simply capitulate, silently impotent, passive in the belief that "it won't affect me". Perhaps you rest secure in the knowledge that the politicians passed the laws, so you don't have to accept responsibility for those changes? 

  

The debates rage across our communities: should we euthanize the terminally ill; same-sex marriage and same sex adoption of children; full term abortions (we long ago lost the debate on abortions generally) We argue about legal drinking ages and too many liquor outlets in our communities, but do nothing, and every weekend our young people continue to ruin their lives, or kill themselves in drunken stupors.

What about the suggestion of providing contraception to women (and their daughters) on welfare, or the latest diatribe from our politicos, take away any future children away from mothers who have caused the death of a child in their care previously. Ever heard of eugenics?  

Are you a fisher of men or have you long ago put your nets away, content to be silent among friends and colleagues? Do you allow them to remain in the polluted waters of this world so that you can continue to have good relationships with them, maintaining your popularity through neutrality? In other words, have you accepted the tolerance message, which says that you have your beliefs and I have mine; all are equal when it boils down to having peace together. There are Christians who are saying, “Take down the cross” so the other religions are not "offended". There are Christians who want all gods and all religions to be deemed equal and worthy of the same respect befitting only the true church.

  

When you look in the mirror do you see someone who knows that she/he is serving Christ to best of her/his abilities.  Do you see the face of Jesus or the face of your own flesh? Do you see a solid rock or shifting sand? Do you see a witness to the truth, or a lover of religion with its traditions and easy grace and comfort?

Take a good look and see whether you see a person who fills out official forms by ticking the box that says ‘Christian’ when asked which religion you espouse, or do you see a person who answers, “I have no religion; I believe in the truth of Jesus Christ, and so I am the church".

I like the way the Message version of the Bible challenges us.

This is the crisis we’re in: God-light streamed into the world, but men and women everywhere ran for the darkness. They went for the darkness because they were not really interested in pleasing God. Everyone who makes a practice of doing evil, addicted to denial and illusion, hates God-light and won’t come near it, fearing a painful exposure. But anyone working and living in truth and reality welcomes God-light so the work can be seen for the God-work it is. John 3:19-21