why are you worried?

As we sit in our own houses pondering life and isolation, what are your innermost thoughts?

Do you come up with a seemingly endless stream of ‘to do’ jobs around the home? Are you concerned with getting enough food to eat? Do you worry if your job is one that is going to be lost or furloughed? Are you slipping into cabin fever, feeling the most lonely you’ve ever felt? Or are you worried about your own health and that of those you love?
All of these are legitimate concerns. Most of us have had similar thoughts cross our minds.
Across the world we are all facing the same crisis, but how are you managing?
Do these concerns consume your mind or are you making peace with your situation?

I love walking, and last week as I wandered along I was considering the reality of the impact the corona virus is and will have on life as we know it. It’s a series of unknowns and a sequence of worries that run through my mind. How will we manage as a family being at home with only one outing a day? How will my kids futures be effected with reduced social interaction and educational access?
As I walked along pondering these things, I  took in the environment around me; the warm morning sunshine, bright blue sky, chasing chaffinches and lovely little lambs, the beauty of the red breasted robin and bouncing bunnies, spring-time blossom swaying in the breeze -  what a beautiful world we live in! Being around nature brought a smile to my face and I felt peaceful and grateful - what a wonderful world this is!

As I pondered these beautiful things, I realised that my worries vanished, as I began to consider the natural world I realised that none of the birds or bunnies are fussed about this virus, none of them even know what is occurring across the world. They are not consumed with the corona crisis that we are facing, in fact they are quite oblivious to it. These creatures are just living their simple life; playing, eating, resting, totally unaware of the concerns of our human minds.

So, it made me question myself - why am I concerned? Why am I distracted and allowing worry to enter my mind?
Throughout all the wars, plagues and disasters that have occurred, the birds still sing, the bunnies still bounce and the lambs still bleat. They live and appreciate their existence each day at a time. Maybe this is a time for us as humans to take lesson from the world around us.
Consider the birds, look at the lambs, and like them appreciate each day, whatever it may bring. Allow yourself to consider nature and the simple pleasures and necessities of life. Rediscover the daily joys, take your time, be present for others, take a glance at nature and see things from a new perspective.
Why not take this time as an opportunity to reflect on your life. What are the daily delights you have? Are you able to eat, rest, sleep? If so, then why worry about anything else?

‘Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?’ Matthew 6:26

Haman the horrible?

When we read the story of Esther, we often judge Haman quite harshly. After all, he is the enemy of the heroine and he has an unhealthy lust for power and renown, but, isn’t he just a product of his environment?

Haman has grown up and succeeded in a community which is dominated by power and wealth. He lives in the city where there is this incredible show of opulence. The city is a bustling place with people of importance everywhere, and it would be difficult to miss the lavish show of the king’s riches. Even if we just consider the palace - decorated with rich materials, sparkling gemstones and golden goblets what a show of extravagance! Can you imagine living in a place surrounded by such wealth? Being constantly bombarded by sights of the wealth and prosperity? Haman is. He even has access to this palace, so he sees it everyday and he would have been aware of how many of these beautiful, expensive things have been gained - through violent and passionate means.

Haman knows the reputation of king Ahasuerus - a proud, greedy, passionate man whom gets what he wants at any cost. Haman has witnessed it, and heard many stories of the king’s ruthlessness. In this kingdom, ruthless selfishness is permissible and demonstrated by the most famous and revered person of the time. This city of Susa, and the whole region of Persia are ruled by passionate impulse and selfish desires, a me-first society, so is it any wonder that Haman is ruthless in his pursuits too?

Haman has been surrounded by this system where anything goes, so isn’t he merely a product of his environment?

Haman has learned to play a part in this kingdom, he has realised that, to get the best in life, you need to get as close to the king as possible, at any cost. Haman knows that winning the king’s favour will benefit himself and his family. It will mean greater renown, respect and revenue. He knows king Ahasuerus promotes those who align themselves with him, who work to satisfy the king’s passions' and that the king is more interested in results than the manner in which they are achieved. Possessions, riches and authority are the top priority in this kingdom. Haman acknowledges this and unsurprisingly has developed the same mindset - to get what he wants, any methods are acceptable.

When we consider this character of Human, we often see a man whom we hate. Someone we feel disgusted with and whom we see evil in. That may be true, but is it fair for us to judge at all?

I am sure we can all think of people that we dislike, who we don't get along with, whose methods we think are disagreeable or even despicable. Yet, are we even aware of their influences? upbringing? expectations? Like Haman, have they been indoctrinated in a culture or society where certain things are allowable, acceptable or expected?

Do you judge people as unworthy and unacceptable because of their characteristics, personality or choices? Jesus doesn't.

Jesus came to forgive everyone who accepts Him, he even went our to meet the most unacceptable people of his culture - those who were detested by the Jews, those who lived lives of depravity and deceit - He invited them into relationship.

 So, my question to you this week is; are you willing to be like Jesus and accept the unacceptable? to form relationships with those who don't match up to your idea of a friend? Are you willing to share who Jesus is to you to those you think least deserve it? You never know, you might be giving a Haman the chance to redeem his life. You might be giving Saul the chance to transform into Paul. You never know whose life you may influence when you treat people like Jesus does.