Ok, so I havn't blogged in quite a while. Life has been a bit hectic, frantic and busy. God has been pruning, shaping and moulding me - and it's been painful at times. I've had the privilege of learning much both theologically but also personally; pressing daily into God's grace and submission and what that looks like in my life.
The other day, whilst perusing the wonder that is 'Facebook', I came across a (cleverly filtered and targeted) advert which led me to this site. I have to confess, it was a surreal experience.
Whilst being both amused and slightly perturbed by a business venture that makes money out of inserting someones name into a 'personalised bible', the whole concept really got me thinking. Are we really that insecure in our society, even our christian society, that we find a need for to buy a bible to see our name next to Jesus'? I don't know why I found the answer so surprising. We are all broken people.
I don't have a TV license, and so recently I have been resorting to watching my favourite programmes on iPlayer, DemandFive, 4OD or any other ridiculously named playback site. The other day, whilst watching Britain's got Talent, my thoughts were confirmed - as I sat and cringed watching this guy perform. I'm not sure I would have got quite so emotionally involved if Corey Sean hadn't gone to my high school, and If he hadn't been the kid that I watched grow from the age of eleven. As much as I could see the entertainment in his dancing and cross-dressing; what struck me more was the brokenness that was staring me right in the face. This guy felt that he was alive again and could forget his troubles when he dressed as a woman and performed in front of two thousand people. All that crossed my mind was the potential distance that Jesus was from him, and that broke my heart for God's broken people.
I have never found reading the first seven chapters of Matthew so hard, until this week. It's full of challenges about living daily lives and honouring God completely; challenges that seem insanely difficult to overcome. One of these simply goes:
'But, I tell you, love your enemies and those who persecute you, that you may be children of your father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the righteous and evil and the good, and sends the rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect therefore as your heavenly father is perfect'.
'Be perfect therefore as your heavenly father is perfect'. Ouch! What a meaty and confusing verse! How can anyone be happy with their names inserted in a bible next to these words; for as far as I'm aware, none of us yet match up to His standards. We should be striving to be like him; and he is perfection -but what's so amazing about God, is that he never demands perfection from us. We are blessed super abundantly, we have so much in this world, yet we still want to see our name in print next to our Messiah, our Saviour, our Redeemer and King - the very God who cannot be described in enough names.
Ultimately the call to us in this verse cannot be denied. Who are we as Jesus' people if we only love those like ourselves? Frankly, I'd quite like to take my relationship with Jesus, the personal relationship that I share with him; and share it with Corey Sean.
I will never buy a personalised bible, but I will buy a bible for Corey Sean...
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