I had a very interesting conversation at work earlier today with a colleague who is currently exploring Buddhism. She told me how she had begun to meditate and put into practice some of the Buddhist principles she has been recently learning about through Buddhist classes she has been attending. I found it very intriguing as I listened to her explain the process of meditation - the emptying of the mind, concentrating on her breathing and then focussing on the self and then others. How she described this particular emphasis in her meditative training struck me as being very similar, in principle, to Jesus' teaching about "love thy neighbour as thy self". I mentioned this to her, which begun a conversation comparing the two religions.
She told me that whilst she had more respect for Jesus since exploring her spiritual side through Buddhism she felt that he didn't provide the basis for actually putting his own teachings into practice. Not deterred I continued with the conversation, exploring the similarities and parallels between the two religions. She said one of the things she didn't like about Christianity was the emphasis on sin, whereas Buddhism emphasises the ability of the self to become a better person. I completely respected both her opinion and the Buddhist principle. Conversely despite our differences we were able to conduct a discourse focussing on the similarities, which I found both invigorating and encouraging. As a person of faith amidst a predominantly agnostic or atheistic department I found it refreshing to be able to discuss matters of spirituality with someone else.
One of the most interesting points of convergence in principle between the two religions was the different forms and connotations of meditation. I explained how meditation is not a completely exclusive Buddhist practice/principle and how the Bible encourages Christians to meditate on God's Word. I explained how I tried to live my life in accordance with the teachings of Scripture and meditate upon it as a guide when making particular decisions on a day to day basis; in how to act and speak. She complimented me on finding this essence of Christian spirituality and commented that she had not seen that in many other Christians. The Bible says that Christians should conduct themselves in a manner worthy of God: not in filthy joking, gossip or criticism. I emphasised how I tried to live in alignment with this focus of Christianity as best I could.
The dialogue then progressed to the issue of 'inner light'. My colleague explained how she tried to visualise the soul as light while meditating and that this had helped her. She explained how she felt all human beings had this intrinsic light within them. To this point I mentioned the fact that the Bible teaches human beings are made in God's image and so therefore our nature will intrinsically reflect a part of God's essence. I elaborated by explicating that, as a Christian, I believe that inherent goodness has been marred by sin, but nevertheless the potential is there for humans to do good.
All in all I thought it was a very positive discussion and hope and pray God will provide me with many more occassions with which to share His truth and Gospel with this colleague. I remember reading that Christianity does not teach all other religions are inherently wrong, only when they diverge from the truth revealed in Scripture. There are many principles and practices of other religions which are to be commended as Christians and this 'common ground' so to speak is an excellent point with which to share our faith to others. I think there are important lessons to be learnt in listening to people of other faiths and respecting their personal beliefs whilst taking the opportunity to give our own testimony of the power and the saving grace of the Gospel. I will be sure to post reflections upon further conversations in the future.
Wednesday, 24 March 2010
Sunday, 14 March 2010
the human drive for perfection
Last week I asked my year 8 PSHE class to list the 10 qualities they think a good role model should have. Their answers really inspired me. Here is the list they came up with collectively as a class:
1. Selfless
2. Independent
3. Commited
4. Sense of Humour
5. Determined
6. Talented
7. Content (as in at peace with themselves)
8. Creative
9. Kind
10. Fearless (as in standing up for their convictions and not being ashamed of what they believe in)
As I reflected upon these virtues while they were discussing them it struck me that these qualities closely reflect the character and nature of Jesus. The lesson had been about Role Models and the original activity had been about choosing their top 10 role models for modern Britain. This activity had not been entirely successful and so I adapted it to get the students engaged with the qualities of a good person, a person worthy of our respect and admiration. Many started to list relatives or friends that had come through adversity and shown tremendous inner strength.
Most, if not all, of those students are non-religious and know very little about Jesus or Christianity but it amazed me how they were able to recognise these qualities as virtues deserving of emulation and great respect. The students respected fidelity (hence commitment) as well as strength of convictions. Yet many of these qualities go against a lot of the modern youth culture of adultery, fornication and selfishness that is exhibited in soaps, films and music. If you were to ask the majority of students today whether they thought Jesus was still relevant then more than likely 9/10 they would respond negatively. However, unknowingly, the qualities of a good role model they listed can be found in the person of Jesus.
Jesus was selfless. Jesus even washed his disciples feet, an act of great humility usually seen as beneath the higher classes and given to the servants to perform (John 13:5). Jesus was fully committed to serving His heavenly Father's will. Jesus never acted on his own accord but did the will of God wherever he went. In Gethsemane, the night he was betrayed and arrested, he prayed "Not my will but your's be done" (Matt 26:39). Jesus did wonderfully and fantastic creative miracles such as turning water into wine, healing the blind and the crippled as well as walking on water and calming a storm. Jesus showed compassion and kindness to all people, even the outcasted and rejected from society such as tax-collectors and lepers. He treated women equally and chose apostles from all walks of life. Jesus fed the five thousand and the four thousand on separate occassions as an act of kindness so that the people would not go hungry who had travelled great distances to see him. Finally Jesus was utterly fearless; he confronted the religious hypocrisy and duplicity in the religious leaders of his day as well as rebuking the Devil in the wilderness when he tried to tempt him to sin. Jesus always stood for justice and right.
Jesus was the perfect human being: the greatest role model humanity could ever have. His example, miracles and teachings have guided, inspired and transformed peoples' lives for centuries. There is much prejudice towards Christianity in society today, Christians whether physically or ideologically are being persecuted the world over and Jesus' name and character are denegrated and mocked by many in the media as well as constantly blasphemed every day. This is such a tragedy when one studies the life of Jesus. Still today as it was the night of his arrest he is mocked, ridiculed and false witnesses have arisen bearing false testimony about him. Yet despite all the falsehood and falacies circulating our world regarding him; the truth about Jesus lives on and no-one can take away what his sacrifice accomplished on the cross.
As Easter approaches let us think and reflect upon the person of Jesus: role model, teacher and saviour.
1. Selfless
2. Independent
3. Commited
4. Sense of Humour
5. Determined
6. Talented
7. Content (as in at peace with themselves)
8. Creative
9. Kind
10. Fearless (as in standing up for their convictions and not being ashamed of what they believe in)
As I reflected upon these virtues while they were discussing them it struck me that these qualities closely reflect the character and nature of Jesus. The lesson had been about Role Models and the original activity had been about choosing their top 10 role models for modern Britain. This activity had not been entirely successful and so I adapted it to get the students engaged with the qualities of a good person, a person worthy of our respect and admiration. Many started to list relatives or friends that had come through adversity and shown tremendous inner strength.
Most, if not all, of those students are non-religious and know very little about Jesus or Christianity but it amazed me how they were able to recognise these qualities as virtues deserving of emulation and great respect. The students respected fidelity (hence commitment) as well as strength of convictions. Yet many of these qualities go against a lot of the modern youth culture of adultery, fornication and selfishness that is exhibited in soaps, films and music. If you were to ask the majority of students today whether they thought Jesus was still relevant then more than likely 9/10 they would respond negatively. However, unknowingly, the qualities of a good role model they listed can be found in the person of Jesus.
Jesus was selfless. Jesus even washed his disciples feet, an act of great humility usually seen as beneath the higher classes and given to the servants to perform (John 13:5). Jesus was fully committed to serving His heavenly Father's will. Jesus never acted on his own accord but did the will of God wherever he went. In Gethsemane, the night he was betrayed and arrested, he prayed "Not my will but your's be done" (Matt 26:39). Jesus did wonderfully and fantastic creative miracles such as turning water into wine, healing the blind and the crippled as well as walking on water and calming a storm. Jesus showed compassion and kindness to all people, even the outcasted and rejected from society such as tax-collectors and lepers. He treated women equally and chose apostles from all walks of life. Jesus fed the five thousand and the four thousand on separate occassions as an act of kindness so that the people would not go hungry who had travelled great distances to see him. Finally Jesus was utterly fearless; he confronted the religious hypocrisy and duplicity in the religious leaders of his day as well as rebuking the Devil in the wilderness when he tried to tempt him to sin. Jesus always stood for justice and right.
Jesus was the perfect human being: the greatest role model humanity could ever have. His example, miracles and teachings have guided, inspired and transformed peoples' lives for centuries. There is much prejudice towards Christianity in society today, Christians whether physically or ideologically are being persecuted the world over and Jesus' name and character are denegrated and mocked by many in the media as well as constantly blasphemed every day. This is such a tragedy when one studies the life of Jesus. Still today as it was the night of his arrest he is mocked, ridiculed and false witnesses have arisen bearing false testimony about him. Yet despite all the falsehood and falacies circulating our world regarding him; the truth about Jesus lives on and no-one can take away what his sacrifice accomplished on the cross.
As Easter approaches let us think and reflect upon the person of Jesus: role model, teacher and saviour.
Sunday, 7 March 2010
The pain of betrayal
I woke up this morning and immediately began reflecting (don't ask me why!?) on the pain I had been caused by my break up with my ex, obviously there is still some residual unhealed scar tissue there. I asked myself the question if I could turn back time and live the last four years again would I have done it differently, would I have avoided the pain of the heartbreak and never gone out with my ex. My initial answer was yes! Then I put my realist hat on and told myself to get over it as I couldn't change the past. I encouraged myself by convincing myself to look to the future and embrace the present. Then (I believe led by the Holy Spirit) I wondered what lesson God may have had for me in allowing the break up to happen. The Bible says "God acts for the good of all those who love Him" Romans 8:28. So I stood upon the Word of God and said in faith what was your purpose O Lord? Then I suddenly thought back to the night of Jesus' arrest. Jesus was betrayed and rejected by all 12 of his disciples on that fateful night!
I started to imagine the pain Jesus must have felt as one by one the people whom he was closest to in his life: the men he had taught and guided for three years, whom were his best friends, his adopted family even, betrayed him. Some betrayed him out of hate and scorn, some out of fear but all deserted him in his hour of need. I picked up my Bible and re-read Matthew 26. As Jesus ate and broke bread with his disciples at the last supper he knew he would soon be betrayed; he knew the falsehood and duplicity of Judas and he knew despite all of Peter's good intentions the weakness of his courage. As I read through the verses again I could feel Jesus' pain. After the supper he went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray where he asked some of his disiciples to join him because he was filled with sadness and anguish (Matt 26:38). Jesus admitted to his followers how he was feeling and yet they could not even stay by his side to comfort and console him. So he prayed alone, with his disiciples asleep. Later Jesus was then arrested by an angry mob led by Judas. The sign of Judas' betrayal the perversion of something that should have been a pure act of love and fellowship: a kiss. How it must have broke Jesus' heart to see one whom he had trusted, confided in and whom had witnessed his many miracles betray him so callously.
As I meditated upon these passages of Scripture my own pain helped me to empathise with Jesus in a new way, I had a much more profound insight into the anguish of my Saviour on the darkest night of his life. Jesus' words began to cut my heart as he must have reasoned in disappointment and disillusionment: "Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with clubs and swords to capture me? Everyday I sat in the temple courts teaching and you did not arrest me." (Matt 26:55) Jesus was arrested like a criminal by one knowing full well his innocence. I then began to realise that had I never experienced pain and heartbreak I would not fully know, or never be able to truly appreciate what happiness and comfort is. As a follower of Christ I believe in a suffering Saviour. My own pain and emotional turmoil can help me to understand how Jesus felt; to relate and empathise and in a new way know Him more intimately than before.
As Easter approaches and we turn our minds and hearts to Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, by giving up his life on the cross let us remember Jesus the man, whom was left alone in his hour of grief and need. How lonely Jesus must have felt, without anyone beside him. Jesus suffered both physically at the hands of the Romans in his torture and execution, but also emotionally at the hands of his fellow Jews for our sake: for our salvation. The Son of God, blameless, righteous, holy and without sin. Jesus using his free will, in love, went to the cross. I thank God that this Easter I will be able to relate to the passion with more empathy and greater appreciation for what Jesus has done to redeem me.
I started to imagine the pain Jesus must have felt as one by one the people whom he was closest to in his life: the men he had taught and guided for three years, whom were his best friends, his adopted family even, betrayed him. Some betrayed him out of hate and scorn, some out of fear but all deserted him in his hour of need. I picked up my Bible and re-read Matthew 26. As Jesus ate and broke bread with his disciples at the last supper he knew he would soon be betrayed; he knew the falsehood and duplicity of Judas and he knew despite all of Peter's good intentions the weakness of his courage. As I read through the verses again I could feel Jesus' pain. After the supper he went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray where he asked some of his disiciples to join him because he was filled with sadness and anguish (Matt 26:38). Jesus admitted to his followers how he was feeling and yet they could not even stay by his side to comfort and console him. So he prayed alone, with his disiciples asleep. Later Jesus was then arrested by an angry mob led by Judas. The sign of Judas' betrayal the perversion of something that should have been a pure act of love and fellowship: a kiss. How it must have broke Jesus' heart to see one whom he had trusted, confided in and whom had witnessed his many miracles betray him so callously.
As I meditated upon these passages of Scripture my own pain helped me to empathise with Jesus in a new way, I had a much more profound insight into the anguish of my Saviour on the darkest night of his life. Jesus' words began to cut my heart as he must have reasoned in disappointment and disillusionment: "Am I leading a rebellion that you have come out with clubs and swords to capture me? Everyday I sat in the temple courts teaching and you did not arrest me." (Matt 26:55) Jesus was arrested like a criminal by one knowing full well his innocence. I then began to realise that had I never experienced pain and heartbreak I would not fully know, or never be able to truly appreciate what happiness and comfort is. As a follower of Christ I believe in a suffering Saviour. My own pain and emotional turmoil can help me to understand how Jesus felt; to relate and empathise and in a new way know Him more intimately than before.
As Easter approaches and we turn our minds and hearts to Jesus' ultimate sacrifice, by giving up his life on the cross let us remember Jesus the man, whom was left alone in his hour of grief and need. How lonely Jesus must have felt, without anyone beside him. Jesus suffered both physically at the hands of the Romans in his torture and execution, but also emotionally at the hands of his fellow Jews for our sake: for our salvation. The Son of God, blameless, righteous, holy and without sin. Jesus using his free will, in love, went to the cross. I thank God that this Easter I will be able to relate to the passion with more empathy and greater appreciation for what Jesus has done to redeem me.
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