Choose Relationship

September is RELATIONSHIPS month at St John's.

Our first theme is Friendship and I approached this topic from a reflection on Jesus' words in John 15 about the Vine.

I believe that the Gospel - the good news Jesus brings - invites us to make a choices. 3 choices we are invited to make:

1. We are invited to Choose Community. The world in which we live is constantly pushing us away from connections, into increasing levels of individualism. Our fear of crime and violience leaves us retreating behind walls of division. And the common belief that our lives are primarily about US, helps individualism to gain a strong foot-hold in our lives. But we are called to Choose - to choose to live our lives differently - to live our lives IN community and to embrace increasing levels of connection with people.

2. We are invited to Choose Friendship. Jesus was called "friend of sinners". More than associating with marginalised people, he actively befriended them. Let's consider that word: "BE-FRIEND". To befriend means to be a freind - to initate friendship with others rather than waiting for people to approach us. Choosing friendhsip means be-friending people - even if they reject our friendly approches...

3. As followers of Jesus we are invited to Choose Life. Life is not limited to church activities. In fact sometimes church activities keep us from the life that Jesus intends. Wherever we encounter the opportunities to live well, we should pursue and honour those opportunites. It is not only in Christian friendships that life is found. We may find real, God-given and blessed LIFE in friendships with a variety of people - wherever people are realiting to each other with loyalty, respect, grace and kindness - there is LIFE - there is the Spirit of God!


I'd love to hear your responses to these thoughts in the discussion forum... click on "comments" below this paragraph...