“I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.” Ghandi

It is Holy Week.  A time to reflect.  A time to make right with the people in your life.  A time to make right with Christ.  A time to realise how much you are loved!  As Easter approaches and reflection takes place, one thinks about Jesus Christ - what He did for us on the Cross.  Again I am challenged to look at the life of Jesus - how he treated people, what he stood for, what he said and did, what defined his ministry!  Again I am confronted with how some of us who call ourselves Christians often fail to show the heart of Christ to those around us.  In the past month and especially now during Holy Week, Ghandi's words have been vibrating through my being.

"I like your Christ.  I do not like your Christians.  They are so unlike your Christ"

In the past month these words have been more and more 'in my face' than ever before.  Part of my Theological studies required me to submit assignments in the past month based on how I defend my faith (Apologetics), which of course can only be effective if I know Christian Doctrines.  Part of my tasks were to interview people and ask why it is that they stay away from church, what their opinion is of Christ and Christians.  I was grieved at hearing the answers.  Young and old consider Ghandi's words to be so true.  "Christians are hypocrites, especially those always in the front", "I find Christians to be so judgmental, yet see them mistreating people and lying".  Another comment was "They say the church is where we are to feel welcome, at home.  A place for sinners and those in need of healing.  You don't have to perfect to join us - yet some of those people look down their noses at you".

As Christians we know we are sinners saved by grace.  We know we are not perfect and will never be in this lifetime.  We, as Christ-followers, have been forgiven so much and have been accepted by Christ despite our shortcomings and weaknesses.  We realise that throughout our time here on earth, we will work out our salvation as we run the race with perseverance, constantly attempting to live our lives according to Scripture, especially the life of Christ.  With this realisation, why is it that we look down our noses at those who do not yet know Christ?  Why are we so blinded to our own sins but very quick to point out others? 

I am humbled!!  I fall far from the mark!  Ghandi could be saying those words to me personally!  This Easter I am challenged to once again look at the life of Christ and to look at how I portray Christ to others.  We are called to be the salt and light, to be ambassadors, to be witnesses!  It is my prayer this Easter, that I become less and Christ becomes more.  That those I encounter can experience respect, dignity, love and acceptance despite what is going on in their lives.  I have a long way to go, but my heart is set on it. 

Jesus, will you be the Centre, will you be my Guide, my Vision - the Wind in my sails and fire in my heart!

A Place of Healing and Pain

The Church is the Hope of the World.  In one place of being two extremes are experienced.  The Church is my place of work and play, of hurt and healing.  The Church is a place of freedom but also tension.  The Church is a place where you are told your word is your bond.  The Church is also a place where your signature could save you a lot of hurt!  The Church is a place where human beings reside.  The Church is not perfect - this I know!  We are not angels, we are human beings striving to fulfill God's call and purpose for our lives, daily living out our salvation.  Patience, tolerance and fairness is to be strived for. 

Life is like a Hiking Trail

This 10km hike was similar to any other hike I’m sure; up hills and out-of-breath lungs, some down hills and smiles, some rocky patches, smooth patches, some cross roads and poorly marked signs to help you decide which of the four paths to take. Or was it a case of not knowing how to read it??? This hike had very beautiful and growing areas and some dull and dry areas, hot in the sun most of the time but nice and cool in the shade at other times. I went on this hike to be in nature, to connect with God and myself after what has been a very busy, stressful and tiring couple of weeks. My prayer was to experience Christ again, to come back rejuvenated and fired up. Throughout the hike I was thinking life is like a hiking trail. Life is full of up hills, down hills, some rocky patches and some smooth patches. Life is beautiful at times and not so beautiful other times. Life is also full of crossroads. At times you know exactly what it is you need to do or where to go and how to go about it. Other times one needs to take risks and go on an adventure. Through it all we learn how to read the signs of 'this way or that way'. I realised anew our ‘desert’ times are at times a result of US moving away from God, which is usually the case. Other times it could be that God is testing us and preparing us for what lies ahead. But could it be that those dry or desert times are there for US, to catch our breath, to regroup or to get our focus back on track for what lies ahead – much like the down hills during a hike helps you catch your breath.

Whether it be because WE moved away or God testing us in order to prepare us, let’s use it to catch our breath and to regroup, instead of always blaming God for having left us. (Secretly we know he never left...) I also came away with the fresh realisation that one needs to pace oneself in order to make the finish line. If you don’t pace yourself you miss out on some of the most beautiful moments and experiences – like zebra’s less than 100m away with no fence separating you - because you so out of breath you can’t hear the soft whispers of God, family and friends. Not stopping to catch your breath because you seem to think you have to push yourself to keep going for whatever reasons, only leaves you exhausted, more out of breath and aching. Less and slower is better when it comes to the pace we live our lives. Life is good!

U can run but U can't hide

Today I am humbled and filled with awe and gratitude!! For some, this will sound like just a coincidence. For others like me, who believe all things happen with a more eternal reason, this will sound like God's hand upon our lives. Today I realised anew that we are all created by Someone bigger than any human, any big bang theory, any evolved being. This Someone does not only create life, but sustains life. This Someone is constantly, actively involved in working every day lives & circumstances together for the good of His plan and purposes. This truth became more real to me today when I realised I left the UK just in time to avoid the Swine flu outbreak, not just in the country but the house I stayed at as well. Then hearing a typhoon hit Taiwan during the month I would have been there has made me realise my life is in God's hands and that no matter how hard you try to run away from the fact that He exists and loves you and has plans for your life, His will prevails and always will. I guess the question for me is, is life just one big gamble where our choices and decisions are considered to be chips which fall where they may, or is there Someone actively and lovingly guiding our steps? Is the fact that I'm alive and healthy just pure luck, or have I just experienced God's ultimate protection?

Challenges

When you are taken out of your comfort zone and challenged in ways, in areas and with issues that make you feel stretched, uncomfortable or that goes against your set of values and beliefs...how do you respond? What do you draw on? What is your first response...or is that reaction? I learnt some lessons this week (these last 3 weeks actually), but specifically this past week when faced with a challenge. Christian morals and values - do they change with time as more and more Christians believe? Or are our morals and values as Christians as unchanging as the nature of God!

A special start to Holy Week

I've just come from spending my last day in London, as I will be home in SA on the 9th. I went to the British Museum - WOW - amazing!!!!!!! The things I saw there were just awesome. A must see for all people. They have displays from various countries across the world - Egypt, Ethiopia, Japan, Korea, China, Mexico, Greece, Rome and you can go on and on ... absolutely amazing!! From here I went to St. Paul's Cathedral, just in time to celebrate Holy Communion. I've never really been one to give up something for Lent - for various personal reasons - but Holy Week has always been very special, very intense and very meaningful to me. During Holy Week I will usually fast something and bring my focus to the Cross. Although I did not feel a strong sense of worship or sincerity here, as I sat there in one of the most famous Cathedrals in the world in my heart it was a rather special and significant moment. It not only brought my focus strongly to the Cross and getting my mind focused for this week but also a time of repenting and starting anew as I set out on a new adventure come Wednesday evening when I fly back to SA. From St. Paul's I went to the National Art Gallery. Again, WOW!! Incredible paintings from famous people like Michelangelo, Van Gogh, Picasso etc....again very much worth seeing. A good day spent in the City of London. Hmm, I think I'm going to miss this place after all...

Haggis Adventure through Scotland

I have been to the most beautiful and mystical place on this earth. I spent 3 days going through the low and highlands of Scotland. The history and the scenery is just unbelievable!!! I would most definitely recommend the Haggis Adventure Tours. They have 1, 3, 5 or 7 day tours exploring the country of Scotland. During my SKYE HIGH adventure, we left Edinburgh towards Stirling passing by Linlithgow Palace- birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, explored the Stirling battlefields- where William Wallace and Bruce bravely fought for Scotland’s freedom! Through Trossachs- Rob Roy MacGregor country! Through Rannoch Moor- the largest expanse of uninhabited wilderness in Europe! Glencoe- site of the infamous bloody massacre in the winter of 1692 was really just one of the most beautiful sites you could ever behold. It's almost like there is this 'electricity', this 'currency' or 'mystical-ness' as you travel through the highlands especially. From there through the Great Glen, past Lochs Linnhe, Lochy, Oich, and.. Ness! (lakes for us non-Scottish people) Passing through Fort William - where a Campbell was asked to leave the town due to MacDonald - Campbell massacre and then behold, Ben Nevis- the highest mountain in the UK. We stayed in Fort Augustus at a **** Hostel called Morag’s (Nessie’s sister’s). As we travelled on towards Isle of Skye, we passed Loch Garry- affectionately known as “Scotland’s Loch” as it is a loch (lake) in the shape of Scotland - rather interesting, and on to ‘The Road To The Isles’ Glen Shiel & the Five Sisters of Kintail- they weren’t always there you know! And the very beautiful Eilean Donan Castle- used in the film ‘Highlander’. I very much enjoyed this one, I love castles and the views from there were just fantastic. Like a friend of mine said, there is just something about this country mmmm (",) And then Over the sea to Skye! If I could have a little house anywhere in the world, I would love to have a little cottage on the Isle of Skye, where the cliffs just drop into the ocean, the most beautiful site I have ever seen!! On our last day there we drove the full length of the mysterious Loch Ness, past ruined Urquhart Castle on to Inverness- meaning ‘At the mouth of the River Ness’, spent some time at Culloden Moor- where Bonnie Prince Charlie led the Highlanders in the doomed final Jacobite uprising, and changed Scotland forever! And the up Drumochter Pass- the highest road in Britain and then back to the Lowlands passing through Perth - the an ancient capital of Scotland. Of course your trip to Scotland would not complete without a taste of Whiskey and have Haggis for dinner - that's if you can stomach the idea of Haggis (lets just say back in the day of hunting your food it was a case of waste not, want not - there will be nothing left or wasted of the animal...you made Haggis) I passed on this one...had enough 'afval' as an Afrikaans child thank you very much! heheheheh!! This trip will forever stay with me - true was one of the most amazing trips I have ever done!! And now, back home to South Africa for my next adventure!!!