Thoughts for the Day

I have become a stranger to my kindred,
an alien to my mother’s children.

It is zeal for your house that has consumed me;
the insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.
When I humbled my soul with fasting,
they insulted me for doing so.
When I made sackcloth my clothing,
I became a byword to them.....

Draw near to me, redeem me,
set me free because of my enemies.

You know the insults I receive,
and my shame and dishonour;
my foes are all known to you.
Insults have broken my heart,
so that I am in despair.
I looked for pity, but there was none;
and for comforters, but I found none.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Iran as a country has one of the fastest growing number of new Christians at the moment. It's in the top twenty in the world despite opposition from the government. This growth is achieved through underground networks, where many are drawn to Christianity’s message of hope and freedom. A similar situation is occurring in Vietnam and China, all through underground movements and against government opposition. Indeed estimates reckon there will be 100 million Christians (yes,100 million) by 2050 in China. The same situation occurred in Russia during the Cold War of the fifties and sixties when Christianity was harshly suppressed.

Now compare that to the west. Here many congregations are composed of older people with few if any children, the exception being evangelical churches largely situated in towns and composed of growing numbers of young adults. There are obviously exceptions to this rule, but one thing that is universal is the fact that they don't need to go underground and they are not oppressed by government legislation. In fact they are side-lined by government and by the media. It's opposition through being ignored.

In Psalm 69 we see that zeal for the Lord has driven David away from his family, and when he fasts and wears sackcloth as a sign of his repentance he is reviled by them. Do we even admit to our faith to others, or are we closet Christians? Can we find natural ways to bring the subject of our faith into our conversations with others? It's easier for me, I know, because I only have to says "I'm a retired priest" to total strangers (nurses to taxi drivers!) and suddenly conversations start and their names get added to the hundreds receiving these Thoughts. But can you find an opening gambit - like "I can't meet then, I've got church!" or even more daring can you invite someone to come to a service? That would be a start!

Lord Jesus Christ,
You were reviled by Your own people
and seen as stirring up opposition with the Romans,
yet You continued Your work to spread the Gospel.
Give us the courage to share our faith with others;
give us the confidence to pray for change in our church;
and for that change to start with us.
Amen.