Not Ashamed!

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord Carey will launch "Not Ashamed Day" outside the House of Lords. Campaigners say a mounting number of cases of workers being disciplined over their beliefs show Christianity is being "air brushed" from UK society. Sections of our media and culture are very ignorant about the foundational facts which underpin much in our social and constitutional fabric. I was talking to a friend yesterday, who did not know where St. Paul's Cathedral is, nor what is represents.
I am reminded of the pressures that the first Christians were under, which were far more dangerous. To refuse, as Christians did, to state 'Caesar is Lord', instead proclaiming 'Jesus is Lord!', was bound to raise the pressure on them. Many were imprisoned, some were executed, but still they were not ashamed. St. Paul from prison writes to his timorous colleague, Timothy, and encourages him to be courageous. 'I am not ashamed of the Good News, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.' (2 Timothy 1.12)
We won't face prison for our Christian faith today, but many of us may be tempted to cover up our convictions and values, under a blanket of wanting to avoid controversy, or because we crave popularity and don't want to seem odd. Today, may we have the courage of our convictions and the grace to live for Jesus.
Best wishes,
Richard