God at work
by Pastor Peter Bean
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Whoever is not against you is for you (Luke 9:50b).
Read Luke 9:43b–62
I grew up long enough ago to be taught our church had the truth! Anyone else was a heretic. They would do well to learn our truth!
Nowadays, we live in a world where Pilate’s question, ‘What is truth?’, has so many answers that it’s hard to know where to begin. So how do we know what is truth? The old certainty has been challenged and changed in many situations. While we might believe our pastors, bishops and church teachings – although there is nothing wrong with questioning them – most people now are more open to what other churches (even religions in some cases) teach and believe.
I am not sure Jesus was thinking of the above situation when he said to his disciples, ‘Don’t stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you’. However, he was talking about a situation where the disciples wanted exclusivity. They had been performing miracles. It probably made them feel good and a little bit proud (see verse 46). We don’t want anyone else to do what we can do!
Jesus is clear. That is not the way of God. God can – and does – work through whomever he chooses. Consider the honour role of the Old Testament: murderers, liars, cheats … or think about the disciples themselves: fishermen, tax collectors, betrayers.
And God continues to work through whom and what he chooses. When I worked in a Lutheran school, I was known in my chapel devotions for discussing nature and creation. For me, that was the connecting point with the students. Virtually all of them went camping, fishing or swimming in their holidays. Many (particularly those who did not attend church) encountered God at these times. The Holy Spirit was at work in God’s wonderful creation, opening their hearts and minds to the love of God.
God still continues to work through whom he chooses. Perhaps that is you. Perhaps that is someone else with whom you surprisingly encounter the God of compassion and grace. Be open to God’s work in your life.
We thank you, creative God, for the many ways you reveal yourself. Give us discernment, and keep our hearts and minds open to the movements of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
In the early months of the year, Peter is often out in the garden, watering, picking and pruning – chasing the birds away from his fruit! Or he is indoors – stewing, drying, preserving. Peter also enjoys walking his dog, riding his bike, reading and spending time with his family. To keep out of mischief, Peter says he is currently teaching himself to play the piano and is writing a paraphrase of each of the Psalms – now up to Psalm 56.
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