Leadership Matters

Our recent General Election campaign, and the startling outcomes, have revealed again the central importance of good leadership. 

I didn't vote for the Conservatives, nationally or locally, but I can see that they were more able to present a compelling vision than their major rivals. And in Scotland, the SNP swept the board because they had a clear and simple message. Whether these respective visions can be turned into reality will be the challenge facing those in power. We shall wait and see!

Jesus was and is a compelling leader because he was very clear about his vision, that would change the world for good.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28.18-20)

Good leaders communicate a compelling vision to their followers, and Jesus was very clear about the task that his followers share.

David Cameron is getting on with the job of choosing his team, for Cabinet posts and other responsibilities. He will want them to share his vision of the future, and then work with him to deliver that vision in practice.

Jesus, too, calls us to share his vision, and he chooses us for that very purpose. ' I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.' (John 15.15-17)

Jesus calls us to be his fruitful friends, so that others may be blessed.

I find that I need to be reminded of these basic facts daily - otherwise, I become taken up with my small (and often self-centred) projects and plans. But Jesus has a BIG PLAN that includes us, and he calls us to join him in this project - to love the world in his name. This is costly, as his ministry and death demonstrated, but the outcomes are secure, as his resurrection showed.

Just as Jesus is clear about where we are going with him, let us also be clear where we are going!

Best wishes,

Richard

Victory & Defeat

VE Day is a bittersweet reminder that the war in Europe ended 70 years ago. While the Allies could rejoice in their hard-fought victory, those defeated had little to celebrate. But in the years since then, through the hard work of French and German leaders, enemies have become friends and colleagues, and there has been a measure of stability in Western Europe unknown in its turbulent history. This particular 'Victory & Defeat' has produced many good results.

Today's election results, so far from what what predicted, has produced clear winners - the Conservatives and the Scottish Nationalists - and clear losers - the Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats. 'Victory & Defeat' here may be better or worse than the past, depending on your point of view. These next few years will be interesting!

Victory & Defeat is at the heart of the Bible's story. 

The illegal execution of Jesus outside the walls of Jerusalem certainly looked like a disastrous defeat, but St. Paul tells us that it was a decisive victory.  'Jesus disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.' (Colossians 2.15) 

In his letter to the Romans, Paul again emphasises that the death of Jesus was God's way to win an outstanding victory over all the forces of sin and death, so that we can know peace and security, as we trust in Jesus.'If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.' (Romans 8.31-34)

In the light of this wonderful victory, Jesus calls us to be peace-makers in our day. Our politicians have the responsibility of making the future better for all in our nations, and locally, we can make a difference. 'God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.' (Matthew 5.9)

Best wishes,

Richard

The Growing Season

The peas I sowed with the grandsons are peeping through! It is the Growing Season!

But nothing is showing from the beans. I shall have to be patient.

The salad seeds, scattered around, shows signs of life, and the fruit bushes, planted in February, are looking healthy. 

So spring is springing, and there is plenty to do in the garden - because the weeds grow too!

We were looking at the growth of the first community of Christians yesterday. 

I was struck by Luke's comment.'And each day the Lord added to their fellowship those who were being saved.' (Acts 2.47)

This fellowship was marked by the way those involved were committed to knowing Jesus better. 'All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.' (Acts 2.42) When we learn more about Jesus, then we are in a position to know him better in our daily lives, Then we enjoy meeting other fellow believers, and find ourselves built up in worshipping together, and feeding together. 

This community took time to help one another. 'And all the believers met together in one place and shared everything they had. They sold their property and possessions and shared the money with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity' (Acts 2.44-46)

This miraculous generosity, shown in costly commitment to one another, revealed that this community had been transformed by the generous love of God. And when people like us learn to allow God's sacrificing love to reshape our lives, then other people will want to discover the secret of the lives they see so wonderfully changed.

So we can all play our own part in the growing season in our own lives and the life of our local churches.

Best wishes,

Richard

Going Green!

For a change, I am not talking about politics this morning! 

But when we look out of our bedroom window each morning, while enjoying a cup of tea, and reflecting on the day ahead, and lifting up our concerns to the Lord, we have noticed that it is the trees that are Going Green!

Spring is on the way, and the evidence for new life is everywhere to be seen. Being new in our home, we are not sure what will emerge in our garden. But so far we have been very pleased with what is growing. And we are trying to plant wisely, so that we are not left with too much work in future months. All the time, we must remember that given the right conditions, it is normal for plants to grow bigger. Going Green is how things should be.

And of course, many of Jesus' parables made the same point.'Jesus also said, “The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.” (Mark 4.26-29)

I love that line, where we are told that the farmer does not understand how it happens. Many are the times when I am astonished at what God does, and cannot see why things turn out the way they do.

But Jesus makes it clear that we should expect to see growth and expansion in the Kingdom ministry to which we are called. 

We know, from the earlier parable of the Four Soils, that some places yield good harvest more readily than others. But if we are prepared to do the hard work of breaking up the tough ground, then we should expect and plan for growth to take place.  

So while we get on with watering and planting in our new garden, I pray that the Lord will help us to be part of his growing Kingdom harvest.

Best wishes,

Richard

Leaders and Followers

During this General Election campaign, much of the focus is on the leaders of the assorted political parties. Every statement and action is scrutinised, and we are left wondering which leader is worthy of our attention. 

Living in a new area, and not being fully up to speed with the history of this particular constituency, I am uncertain where my vote might be most tactfully deployed. But there are still some days to go to find out how I might vote.

But the point of leaders is that they are supposed to be worth following. The leader with no followers is not much of a leader!

The writer of the letter to the Hebrews knew that that was true for those who were supposed to be followers of Jesus. 

Hence, he gave us this great exhortation.'Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people;then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.' (Hebrews 12.1-4)

Life is tough for all of us, in different ways. If we are to endure the struggles we face, Jesus is our best example and helper. He willingly went to the Cross, and rose victorious, and is now glorified, in the place of power and authority. So Jesus is supremely able to help us with our daily struggles.

He alone is a leader worth following!

Hallelujah, what a Saviour!

Best wishes,

Richard

Liberators?

70 years ago today, British troops liberated the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen. 

The report by Richard Dimbleby painted a terrible picture of the suffering of those who had survived, as well as the appalling conditions which led to 70,000 deaths. The British soldiers who reached the camp were themselves traumatised by their experiences. These soldiers were seen as liberators, by those who had endured such terrible experiences.

It made a stark contrast with assorted politicians announcing their manifestos, in the run up to the General Election next month.

I am reminded of the time when Jesus spoke at the synagogue in Nazareth, when he announced his manifesto for his ministry.'When Jesus came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
    for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released,
    that the blind will see,
that the oppressed will be set free,
and that the time of the Lord’s favour has come.”
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!” (Luke 4.16-21)
Jesus clearly saw himself as The Liberator, whose role in life and death was to set prisoners free from the destruction that stalks us relentlessly. We are all in a battle that we cannot win, unless we are rescued from an outside agent. 

In God's mercy, we have begun to experience that liberation in wonderful, though incomplete, ways.

And having been liberated by Jesus, we now find ourselves enlisted in the Liberator's army, whose role is to go to the people around us, and point the way to freedom and liberation. That gives meaning and purpose to our lives, which in itself is profoundly amazing. 

Today, I pray that we will again realise that we have a great role to play in helping others to enjoy the benefits of being friends with Jesus.

Best wishes,

Richard

Waiting Painfully or Patiently?

Roald Dahl's 'Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory' introduces us to the memorable Veruca Salt. She is a child of our culture, whose favourite saying, shrieked at high volume, is 'I want it and I want it NOW!'

She does not like to wait for anything.

Many of us are too much like Veruca Salt than we like to admit.

Today, between Good Friday and Easter Day, is a day for waiting. 

Yesterday, as we followed the first disciples of Jesus, we watched Jesus die, and saw where he was buried. But then there was nothing that could be done, so we filled our lives with ordinary activities. 

And then today, Easter Eve, is a day of painful waiting. So it was for the first followers of Jesus. ' As his body was taken away, the women from Galilee followed and saw the tomb where his body was placed. Then they went home and prepared spices and ointments to anoint his body. But by the time they were finished the Sabbath had begun, so they rested as required by the law.' (Luke 23.55-56)

I sense that Luke is telling us that the women, who had been so busy in dealing with the practical side of their grief, now found themselves compelled, against their will, to wait for a whole day, as required by the law. 

We often find being busy is a great antidote to thinking too much, or facing difficulties. And yet, the Psalms often tell us to learn to wait patiently.

'I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
    and he turned to me and heard my cry. 

He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
    out of the mud and the mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
    and steadied me as I walked along.' (Psalm 40.1-2)

I am used to finding the quick fix to most difficult issues, so today is a day for me to learn that waiting patiently (=delayed gratification!) is the lesson the Lord would teach me. Am I willing to learn slowly?

Maybe you too are having to learn this lesson. 

I pray that we may continue our journey of faithful discipleship with the followers of Jesus. Our waiting will be rewarded.

Best wishes,

Richard