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So firstly, apologies it has been a while. It has been a crazy couple of months and my feet have barely touched the ground. Here I go again.....
This Sunday morning I was at my fabulous church.Ivy Manchester. We have been following a series about being the best at and giving the best in our relationships. This week Anthony, our church leader spoke on "touch". He gave an incredible story about an innocent girl who had been caught in a world of sex trafficking. It was a devastating story of years of abuse at the hands of her ex-boyfriend and traffickers. BUT she was rescued, by a team of skilled people, who have been gifted by God and equipped by him to rescue trafficked girls. It was a story of what God can do when his people love mercy, act justly and follow God's instruction.
It got me thinking about the difference between wrong and right. A married couple who enjoy sex in a completely non-abusive relationship vs a trafficked girl abused by up to 120 men a day. They are complete opposite ends of the spectrum. A philanthropist who gives 90% of their income to charity vs Someone who steals from others because they 'just want more'. A volunteer for a charity who help restore derelict neighbourhoods vs a vandal who defaces and damages other's property for fun.
There is ALWAYS a victim of bad actions (sin). Whether it be solely the person doing who is wrongdoing hurting themselves or the destruction of an innocent child's life. Sin hurts. It turns things that should be good...sex, money, relationships, community (social networking included)....bad. It sours them and makes them bitter. It distorts then. The examples of right and wrong above are very black and white examples. But it often seems more grey. Getting into debt because "I need that car, those shoes, that meal out". Gossip...just because "it's good to talk", placing unreasonable expectations on loved ones because my "way is OBVIOUSLY the right way". Joining a facebook witch-hunt because "someone has offended my friend, or belief, or profession".
We NEVER know the full story. The complexity of experiences, beliefs, lies, that have made people think or act the way they do. Please don't hear that I am justifying, for example, that if someone is abused that they become an abuser. It just means that we need to be careful that we do not become people who judge, even sinners. Because guess what....it makes us sinners!
So what tools do we have to try to, not only live right but treat others right (even when we disagree with their actions). Well one of my favourite bits of the bible (whether or not you believe the bible) is the fruits of the spirit. It explains how we should live, how we should approach others, and life in general. We should do it with love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. The bible is literally a bible for good ideas, experiences and advice on how to live. It might seem like an impossible way to live, and it is if we do it alone. That's why God is on hand!
It is a constant challenge for me and I get it wrong so, so often (as some of you reading this will know). But when on facebook, talking to our families and friends, discussing celebrities, prolific criminals and the bloke 2 doors down, at work, and when we make any choice or decision, let's try to be a people who do it well. It makes for a better life. It might seem like an impossible way to live, and it is if we do it alone. That's why God is on hand!
