As part of the Christianity Explored course, two people who did the course last year told how their lives had been changed, over time, by their encounters with people and God.
A chance encounter with a stranger, who said 'Read your Bible. Read your Bible. Read your Bible.' started a process of conversion, and much more besides, for one person.
In another real life, a chance decision to go for a walk, past the back of Waitrose, led, over the weeks, to becoming a regular member of St. Andrew's, and clearly being changed by the Lord.
What might have looked like 'chance encounters' were part of God's wonderful work in the real lives of ordinary people.
St. Paul describes his approach to living his real life in his letter to his troubled Corinthian friends.
'You see, we don’t go around preaching about ourselves. We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ.' (2 Corinthians 4.5-6)
God is in the business of shining his life-giving light into the real lives of people of all sorts.
Our job, in our real lives, is merely to point to Jesus, and as people look at Him, then, miraculously, they see more than a man, for they glimpse the very glory of God. Knowing the glory of God, and submitting our wills to His will and purpose, brings us life and peace and joy. But it doesn't mean we have an easy life. Paul goes on to speak of our weaknesses.
'We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.' (2 Corinthians 4.7-10)
Today, all of us will encounter other people, all of us with real lives. The thrill and opportunity which we all have is so to live for Jesus in all our encounters that others may see Jesus in our real lives.
At St. Andrew's this evening, at our 'Friends or Enemies' evening, when my two Muslim friends come to share their real lives with us, it will be great if, as we learn from them, they might learn from us.
Best wishes,
Richard
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