Photo by...Photo by Nathan Anderson on Unsplash
A student survey conducted at one of our local schools determined that young people see the church as being full of old people and pews. And they think that the pews have to go. There’s some good news in that survey, they didn’t say the old people should go, only the pews.
Think for a moment: How does their perception match reality?
We might immediately begin to defend the pews. They've been good enough for generations. They keep us awake. They haven’t killed anyone.
Or we might be offended that they’ve labelled us as old. We might argue that we’re not nearly as old as our grandparents were at the same age.
We might want to join James and John to ask Jesus whether we should call down fire from heaven and destroy them.
But before we get too defensive, these young people are crying out for the church to recognise and value them. They don’t think the church cares about them, they don’t think we care. They think the church is only interested in the people who’re already involved, which to them means old people.
I wonder whether they’re any different to those of any age who aren’t connected to our churches. Would the whole ‘unchurched’ and 'previously-churched’ community agree that we don’t care. Would they contend that we’re only interested in ourselves.
If we’re so busy polishing and defending our pews then they have to go. If there’s anything in our church that uses up our time at the expense of living our lives for Jesus then it has to go.
Even more urgently we have to go. Not leave the church, the community of God’s people, but go with the good news that because God loves and cares for every single person in this world so do we.
“As you go”, Jesus says, “make disciples of all nations.” Jesus cares about this because he has ‘skin-in-the-game’. He died for each and every one we encounter as we go about our lives.
How do we, as individuals and a church, need to change so that no one in our community will feel that we don’t care about them?
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes (Psalm 19:8).
Read Psalm 19:1–11
The Sun is the star at the heart of our solar system. The gravity from the Sun holds the solar system together, keeping everything – from the biggest planet we know of in the solar system (Jupiter) to the smallest pieces of debris – in its orbit. The connection and interactions between the Sun and the Earth create the seasons, ocean currents, weather, climate and all life. And … God made this Sun and all the solar system and universe. He created it to provide light and life to the Earth.
The Psalmist David speaks of God’s commands as being radiant. This word usually relates to rays being emitted from the Sun, providing a light that shines and dazzles. The word of God is light to the world that brings life and light to all his people. His commands are clear, pure and enlightening, giving light to our eyes that brings understanding and belief to our hearts. These commands are not just to be followed, but are a source of light that guides us to a life that is pleasing to God.
The Bible verse above from Psalm 19:8 points to the authority of God’s word in the Bible. From the very beginning of creation when God spoke, and it was done, and ‘It was very good’ to God sending his Son for the sake of all humankind, God is the only true authority. God’s word is not only true, but it is right. God’s word has authority because God has authority. God’s way is not only right, but it is the best, as it guides us into the light of truth.
This psalm speaks in picture language to help us understand that everything he does is with us in mind. Take God’s words to your heart, mind and soul and worship the Maker of Heaven and Earth. As we celebrate Advent, we also celebrate God sending his Son to Earth as a baby for our ultimate salvation.
The words of God are a radiant light to guide us!
Creator God, you made the world, and it was perfect. Thank you for your words in the Bible that also bring light to my life. Radiate your words into my heart so that I can serve and please you. Amen.
Anne Hansen has worked as the Lutheran Tract Mission Development Officer for 19 years. She lives in Noosa, Queensland, with her husband, Mark (a pastor), and has three grown children – Jonah, Christian and Emma – and is a new proud mother-in-law to Brooke. Anne enjoys attending Mainly Music, walking, reading, gardening and playing pickleball.
1st Wednesday in Advent Read: Psalm 18:25-32 “You, O Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.” Psalm 18:28 (NIV)
How much we take for granted in our technologically advanced world! After my grandmother passed away in 1978, my father gave me the oil lamp that had been sitting on her sideboard and had been used for many years as the ‘Sunday’ lamp. It was the lamp that had been given to them for their wedding in 1926. It was called the ‘Sunday’ lamp as that was the only time it was used. When we got married, I decided to get this lamp working again as it had been unused for many years. Firstly, it needed to be cleaned from dust and any soot. We needed to find a chimney and some wicks (double wicked) and then had to find some oil that didn’t smoke.
Finally, we got it burning and used it as our ‘Sunday’ lamp, until children came. We read about lamps in the Bible and how we are to keep our lamps burning. As I said earlier, we take a lot for granted. Turning on a light switch in no way relates to the work it takes to maintain and keep a lamp usable. Depending on the type of oil used, the lamp chimney needs constant cleaning from the soot. If it is not cleaned and the wick trimmed, seeing and reading by its light is extremely difficult. In Psalm 18 we read about all the work God does in keeping our lamps shining bright. He is faithful to us.
He shows Himself as blameless and pure and perfect, so we know that He is the one to follow. He tells us His stories and shows us His love. He protects us from the evil around us. God does all this to help our light shine. This brings us out of darkness and into His incredible light. God did all the work through Jesus in sending His Son to earth and be the light to follow. Jesus is the way, the truth and the light! Rely on God to keep your lamp burning, lighting your way through each day. Prayer: Lord God, you have done all the work to bring me into your amazing love and presented me with unfailing grace and peace. Help me keep my lamp burning for you to share and light the way for others. Amen.
The Lord’s Blessing 1st Tuesday in Advent Read: Numbers 6:24-26 “The Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you”.
Numbers 6:25 (NIV)
Rising out of the desert and towering over the Indian village is a high mountain. Only the very strong can climb it, so all the boys of the village were eager to try. One day the chief said, “Now, boys, today you may try to climb the mountain. Each of you go as far as you can. When you are too tired to go on, come back. But I want each of you to bring me a twig from the place where you turned back.”
Very soon a boy came puffing back with a piece of cactus. The chief smiled. “My boy, you did not even reach the foot of the mountain. Cactus is a desert flower.” Later a second boy returned with a twig of sagebrush. “Well, at least you reached the foot of the mountain.” The next boy came back with a cottonwood twig. “Good! You climbed as far as the springs.” Another boy came back with some buckthorn. “You were really climbing. You got up to the first slide rock.” An hour afterward, one boy came back with a branch of pine. To him the chief said, “Good! You made three-quarters of the climb.”
The sun was low in the sky when the last boy returned. His hands were empty, but his face was shining. He said, “Father, there were no trees where I was. I saw no twigs, but I saw a shining sea.” Now the old chief’s face glowed too. “I knew it! When I looked at your face, I knew it. You have been to the top. You needed no twig to tell me. It is written in your eyes. You alone, my boy, have seen the glory and the peace of the mountain.”
[Story by Catherine Marshall] The very same thing happens to you and to me when we have been with our Father in Heaven and have talked to Him in prayer and felt His presence in our hearts. It shows on our faces. It shines in our eyes. Keep climbing! We show God’s shining face when we know Him – this is His blessing to us. Prayer: Thank you for blessing me with your peace and love. Thank you that you shine your face on me and in turn my face shines to others showing your love. Amen.