Thought for the Week

Jesus talked a great deal of sense. Even the most ardent atheist would have to agree that his teachings, properly applied, would lead to better lives and more peaceful communities. He often taught in parables, stories, used to get across complicated truths.  My favourite is about a wise man who builds his house on rock, with secure foundations, and a foolish man who builds on sand. When the storms come, the wise man’s house remains standing. The parable raises some awkward questions. What are the foundations that my life is built upon? For many, the answer, even if they can’t admit it, is that they have built upon the sand. The inevitable result is that lives are damaged and fail to reach full potential. The teachings of Jesus offer us a foundation for our lives, and a Christian will always be able to turn to them when life is hard.

The Bishop of Rochester recently spoke about the foundations of this country; a Christian heritage that has made us a beacon of freedom and tolerance. He has said that those who undermine this Christian inheritance undermine Britain. Evidence abounds in today’s Britain of the consequences of weakening our Christian foundations; over 200 000 abortions carried out last year, young lives never given the chance to flourish; over 50% of marriages failing; horrendous knife crimes and shootings involving teenagers; a culture of political correctness where minority views and groups hold sway over the decent majority. The storms are circling us, and our foundations don’t seem secure. However, the good news, for our lives and communities, is that there is an answer. Christian principles of putting others first, of forgiveness, and of self control are timeless. Jesus’ common sense speaks to our age, but are we listening?

Revd. James Taylor