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17th August 2008 2008

Bothering about the ignorable...

In a multi-faith, multi-cultural diverse society like ours, it is easy to dismiss everything that is different to ours as non-of-our-business. Is it not really? Having a neighbour who is not Christian can sometimes be a source of great mystery along with an attitude that says stay away; or it could bring about great interactions that open our eyes to how others live and worship.

"I am a Christian and have no business wanting to know more about my neighbours' faith practices." On the contrary, understanding why our neighbours do the things they do in the name of their religious practise may help build more community cohesion and tolerance. Coming to be clear about why people do the things they do is not about being nosey or snooping but rather, it's about reaching out across what divides us and learning enough about each other to be more understanding of the things we do or are done around us that affect our daily lives.

I am therefore suggesting that instead of rushing to move out of the area when faced with different cultures or new forms of religion that seem to encroach on our territory, why not extend a hand of faith and welcome those different to us into our surroundings. Openly sharing with them about our own religious practices and inviting them to participate in the various annual events that are a milestone of our faith may help them come to know more about us as people and in return they may open up to us about their ways of life.

In essence, not doing any of the above may not influence or affect our lives much. The truth of human reality though is should we reach out to others or them to us; our lives are bettered by knowing who they're and them knowing who we are. A common base of community values is built up not by laws but rather, by the willingness to extend a hand of faith to each other which builds fellowship, friendship and a good spirit of togetherness as we live out our common goals.

Ignoring each other simply festers a "suspicion of relating" that encourages hate, fear and mistrust of one another's intentions and that is likely to aid in negative, as opposed to positive community values.

God blesses those who bother about the ignorable!

Peace be with you

Jongi

God's light is sufficient for all & radiates into all who believe.

Settling down
Do you sometimes have very little belief in yourself? Share how other's attitudes can be destructive to own self-esteem.

Worship
Praise the God of all inclusivity. In Him neither gender nor ethnicity counts. Praise His name for loving, caring and guiding all who believe in spite of their background. Worship the Lord's greatness that embraces every facet of our diverse lives.

God's Word: Isaiah 56: 1 - 8 & Matthew 15: 10 - 28

• When we were still children, we thought in child-like ways; yet in growth comes more understanding, knowledge and with it responsibility. Whilst Israelites saw themselves as the exclusive preserve of God, exile has meant that many others have become exposed to the Jewish faith and in Isaiah 56 God instructs the Israelites about inclusivity and welcoming those formerly outside of their faith. In general, this indicates the ease with which as humans, we slip into our prejudices and care little for the needs of the "outsider". Where are you challenged to change behaviour in order to make life more liveable for another?
• Religious practises, as good and well-intentioned as they may be; can at times hinder entry of an outsider into the fellowship of the community that worships God (c.f. story of Canaanite woman in Matt.15: 21-28). When God brings healing into a person's life, He counts not their ways of worship, belonging or religious practices. God yearns for everyone to live well and free from pain and hardship. Thus we can be the catalyst to aiding such in others' lives and our challenge is to pray, teach and model God's word to all without counting their religious persuasion.
• When the sun shines or the rain falls, being God's good gifts to earth, their nurturing is not limited only to those who profess faith in God. In the same way, if we want a peaceful and prosperous world we have to begin to treat others in a way that admits, they too are made in God's image. Engaging with non-believers can teach us more about God.

Living God's Word in the world; our Witness:
Choose to associate with all God's people & embrace lessons gained.

Concluding Prayer
Try and concentrate your prayers to be for those who are not necessarily Christian. Pray that the light of Christ may be bright in them too and that believers will see it and embrace/receive them..

Email Jongi to discuss these notes at revjzihle@btinternet.com